SPONSORS

Independent Worldwide 2024 is made possible by the invaluable support of our suppliers. Throughout the conference, immerse yourself in a dynamic Supplier Expo, a hub of cutting-edge products and services that shape the future of the travel industry. On the final day, seize the opportunity for personalized interactions with our sponsors and suppliers in one-on-one sessions at the Laptop Lounge.

PLATINUM Sponsors

Air New Zealand is an award-winning airline well known for their warm Kiwi hospitality and uniquely New Zealand customer experience.

Connecting from nine cities across Australia to New Zealand and beyond to North America, including their newest destination, New York. And as a member of the Star Alliance network, they can also offer customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations.

Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by their distinct tail livery of the Koru, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark, which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience. Air New Zealand’s promise of taking care further than any other airline, embodies their commitment to their people, partners, and customers.

Discover today why Air New Zealand is a better way to fly.

Family-owned and operated for more than 21 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 29 custom-designed ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Douro, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, and Dutch and Belgian Waterways; Southeast Asia’s Mekong River; Africa’s Chobe River; Egypt’s Nile River and Colombia’s Magdalena River (2024). Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways is committed to its reputation of welcoming guests with a warm and inviting crew and creating immersive, truly authentic cultural experiences for active travelers of all ages. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna, and through its sustainable ship design, wide variety of small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options, and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with fine wines from the world’s most acclaimed wine regions. 

Travelex

The ease of touring has never been more important nor relevant, and no one does tours better than TTC Tour Brands. 

Whether you're looking for youth social travel with Contiki, freedom to choose with Costsaver, tours for the worldly and curious with Insight Vacations, ultra-luxe journeys with Luxury Gold, or everything in between with the iconic and award-winning Trafalgar – we have a travel experience for every taste, pace and place. The TTC Tour Brands portfolio brings agents access to over 1000 tours, via one single sales, reservations and marketing team, with the added ease of a single sign on booking platform.

GOLD Sponsors

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners.

For over 40 years, Air Canada Vacations has been striving to make every travel experience one to remember. We know that your idea of a dream vacation is as unique as you are, which is why we create travel packages that are tailored to your needs. From beaches to cityscapes and campgrounds to mountain tops, we’ve thought of the perfect places for every type of traveller. With so many travel options to choose from year-to-year, you have the power to reclaim your dreams, one trip at a time. Dream Bigger, We Serve the World!

Beyond Travel is an award-winning Australian company and leading destination specialist well-known for expertise in: Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, The Balkans, Eastern Europe & The Baltics, Scandinavia, Lapland, Iceland, Sri Lanka and India. Our holiday options include Signature Journeys, Escorted Tours, Mini-Stays, independent travel arrangements, plus small-ship and gullet cruising to suit every budget. We also have a specialised group travel division offering bespoke arrangements. Our expert team members are passionate about the destinations we visit from Iceland to Greece, and they will provide you with expert advice for your clients. Many of them have lived or worked in those regions and have first-hand knowledge of what your clients can look forward to. They have been involved in researching and crafting our holidays – sourcing those must-see attractions and special highlights that make for a truly memorable experience. Seamless organisation, attention to detail, service excellence and personalised care are long standing features of Beyond Travel.

Expedia TAAP is your one stop shop for Accommodation, Activities, Car Hire, Transfers and Packages.

Expedia TAAP was voted “Supplier of the Year” by FCTG Independent in Australia over many years.

Testament to the fabulous product and exceptional back up support.

Powered by the massive buying Power of Expedia, Expedia TAAP offers you highly competitive Rates and excellent commission earning potential across the Globe 24/7. It’s the easiest platform in the Market as defined by over 100 thousand of our happy Travel Agent Partners globally.

Expedia TAAP offers availability at over 3 Million properties worldwide. Ability to Book Now – Pay later or last minute availability when needed.

Generate confirmed documentation in seconds, or quotes branded with your agency details in just a few clicks.

If you haven’t joined already, please check out the links below and give TAAP a go.

Founded in 1990 by social entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is a small group adventure travel operator offering more than 700 tours in 100 countries, on all seven continents. 

G Adventures’ award-winning trips support local communities, giving travellers meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, while offering them the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own. G Adventures’ responsible approach to travel is demonstrated through its ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives, which include travel guidelines for children, wildlife and Indigenous people, community-based social enterprise projects travellers can experience on trip, and its industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’ assessment which measures how many traveller dollars stay in the local economy. 

G Adventures offers life-changing tours for individuals of all ages, interests and budgets.

Whatever is on your bucket list, wherever you may choose to go, on whatever budget, you won’t have to look far with the Globus family of brands to find the holiday you’re after. From our humble beginnings transporting tourists across Lake Lugano, we have since grown from strength to strength, continually expanding to meet the wants and needs of our travellers.

Globus will take you beyond the ordinary with traditional types of escorted tours around the globe, Cosmos is designed for the more budget-conscious traveller while still turning travel dreams into reality, or you may want to step aboard an Avalon Waterways Suite Ship to sail away on one of the legendary waterways of Europe, Southeast Asia, South America or Egypt.

With over 450 holidays across 71 countries, where can we take you next?

As a trusted travel advisor, Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, recognizes you have an important responsibility. You help clients connect with those that matter most and create life-long memories. Together we will create the best moments of your clients’ lives with immersive, elevated experiences where everything is seamlessly included from start to finish. We believe every moment is worth celebrating. That’s why we’ve designed the perfect places for every style and stage of life. There is a brand for every step of your clients’ journey. Let’s help them celebrate the big things, the little things and everything in between. This array of ten best-in-class brands provides unlimited experiences, endless hospitality and thoughtful touches that will exceed guest expectations on what it truly means to stay all-inclusive. 

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionised the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 20 contemporary ships sail to 450 of the world’s most desirable destinations. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodation across the fleet, including solo-traveller staterooms, club balcony suites, spa-suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept.    

Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations are the leading operators of independent rail vacations globally, offering an ever-expanding portfolio of vacations to inspiring, sought-after destinations across worldwide destinations like Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and beyond. As leading rail experts, we take the complexity out of rail and can curate the perfect vacation for every travel style. Discover the joy of the journey, pass spectacular scenery, and enjoy a hassle-free holiday. No rail vacation is too complicated for us. All you must do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea since its launch in 1969. Each successive class of ships is a record-breaking architectural marvel that revolutionizes vacations with the latest technology. Today, the cruise line continues to dial up the guest experience for adventurous travellers, offering bold onboard thrills, spectacular dining options, breath-taking entertainment and world-class accommodations. All while sailing exciting itineraries to 270+ destinations in 60+ countries on six continents.

January saw the launch of the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas debuting an all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favourites! In July, the world’s biggest weekend arrives aboard Utopia of the Seas with every sailing to Royal Caribbean’s private destination Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

SILVER Sponsors

50 Degrees North is a Nordic small group tour specialist and travel curator with a difference. Headquartered in Norway, and with a global team of destination specialists comprised of Nordic natives and enthusiasts, they are uniquely placed to offer authentic, high-quality small group tours and travel experiences based on genuine local expertise and a 24-hour support service. With hand-picked boutique accommodations, a variety of high-quality dining options, authentic off the tourist trail experiences, as well as environmentally and socially sustainable practices, clients can just relax and focus on enjoying their seamless holiday in this beautiful, unique, and remote part of the world. As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North is committed to responsible tourism, actively collaborating within the industry to advocate for meaningful actions for the future of our planet.

The twin islands of Antigua & Barbuda are the ideal Caribbean experience for their tropical allure and mellow vibes. With sunny skies and pristine waters, Antigua boasts enough beaches to experience a different one each day, year-round. Its sister island of Barbuda sits unencumbered by modern developments—a natural haven awaits. We have Nonstop flights and great airfares on Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sunwing, United and Westjet from Toronto- YYZ; Montreal- YUL; Newark, New Jersey- EWR; New York City- JFK; Charlotte, North Carolina- CLT; Atlanta, Georgia-ATL; Orlando, Florida-MCO and Miami, Florida- MIA to our twin-island destination- ANU!

The Back-Roads difference.

Picture a touring holiday that delves a bit deeper.

One that doesn’t simply drop by top sights and major cities but invites you to see a destination through the eyes of the people who know it best: the locals who call it home. Where journeys are made for absorbing never-to-be-forgotten views, not darting from A to B. And each day ends in a hand-picked retreat brimming with local charm.

At Back-Roads Touring, we’ve spent over 30 years creating these kinds of small group tours. We know that the best kind of adventure is one that introduces you to local experiences and sights while providing you with the time and space to explore independently.

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of a fleet of 16 resorts at sea taking guests to the world's best places on the world's best places. Celebrity revolutionised the industry with its cool, contemporary design and accommodation; dining, spa, and entertainment experiences for modern tastes; and culturally rich and diverse destination experiences, all complemented by warm, personalised service. Driven by wanderlust and a passion for opening the world, Celebrity journeys to all seven continents, visiting nearly 300 destinations in more than 70 countries.

Chimu Adventures is a specialist travel operator with over 20 years of experience in Antarctia and South America.

Your genuine expert partner, Chimu has a passion for the Polar Regions and Latin America. Offering the widest range of Antarctic expedition ships in Australia, along with guaranteed everyday departures for our Latin America 4* Signature independent itineraries.

A third-generation family-owned guided travel company established in 1918, Collette offers a portfolio of more than 170 tours across all seven continents. From culturally immersive small-group tours to single-city stays, river cruises to faith pilgrimages, and our signature line that balances iconic must-sees with enriching experiences; Collette offers a wide range of 4-star (and above) travel experiences for the discerning traveller. Driven by a mission to enhance lives by providing extraordinary travel experiences, we craft comprehensive guided travel experiences that feel elevated and personal for each guest.

Explora Journeys is the new luxury lifestyle brand launched by the MSC group redefining the luxury ocean experience.  Vibrant, cosmopolitan relaxed European luxury at sea.   Instead of cruises we create journeys - of the mind and across the oceans of the world, as we visit extraordinary places on and off the beaten track.  Designed in partnership with the worlds foremost super yacht specialists Explora I - the first ship in the Explora Journeys fleet is now sailing with Explora II setting sail in 2024.

Explora Journeys is a summation of a long held dream to redefine the luxury ocean experience and create a category of its own.  Discover the Ocean State of Mind.

Get ready for good views, good friends and good times on over 1000 trips to more than 100 countries with Intrepid. It’s small group travel that’s good all over.

Intrepid are proud to be one of the world’s largest travel B Corps, and offer itineraries for every age, budget and appetite for adventure. Their locally led trips cover over 15 themes that allow travellers to immerse themselves in specific interests. With a trip to suit every Intrepid traveller, they also have four distinct travel styles – Premium, Comfort, Original and Basix.

Before you know it, you could be feasting on a home-cooked dinner at a family home in Morocco, hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru or enjoying a homestay experience in the backwaters of Kerala in India.

On The Go Tours are an award-winning provider of unforgettable small group tours and private holidays. From Egypt to Ecuador, India to Iceland or Turkey to Tanzania, we love helping your clients see the world their way. Whether they’re after culture, adventure, or just want to kick back and relax, our outstanding local guides get them to the heart of the destination and deliver truly authentic experiences. Guaranteed departures with just two pax, low deposits, a global reservations team and friendly BDMs on hand to assist you. We pride ourselves on the best service to ensure you and your clients, are well supported from the start to finish of every trip.

On The Go Tours….it’s time to discover!

With Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and TRS Hotels, you’ll experience a true Caribbean getaway like no other. Beachfront locations in the most desirable destinations as well as state-of-the art facilities, dining and entertainment make these resorts the ideal choice for an unforgettable vacation. The unique, sprawling layout of the resorts sets them apart and allows guests to admire breath taking natural surroundings. 

BRONZE Sponsors

Great Journeys New Zealand offers a diverse range of travel experiences across New Zealand, centred around scenic rail journeys. Their scenic rail offerings include the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine train journeys, which showcase New Zealand's stunning natural scenery. Additionally, they provide a variety of short breaks and rail tour packages departing from different cities, tailored to various interests such as wine tours and nature encounters. Last year they launched their premium Scenic Plus service combining breath taking scenic views with a unique dining experience featuring regionally inspired dishes and paired drinks, served in an exclusive carriage with panoramic windows.

Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.  

We were born to voyage, for over 150 years, we've been introducing guests to new places and new cultures, and we've witnessed first hand the transformative power of travel. We have carefully crafted journeys, with more than 500 itineraries stopping in 100 countries, the world over. Holland America Line holds true to the timeless elegance of ocean travel. From the moment you step aboard one of our spacious, mid-sized ships, you’ll feel the difference, classic nautical lines, beautiful appointments and warm, hospitable service. exclusive onboard activities Through exciting new partnerships with BBC Earth Experiences; Explorations Central (EXC™) programs and live entertainment, you can continue exploring on board. Our dining is led by a team of world-class chefs, the cuisine on our cruise ships satisfies your every craving. Our Culinary Council ®, Culinary cruises and Fresh Fish Program chart an exciting course for dining across our fleet.

P&O Cruises - Brings Us All Together™

We believe P&O has always delivered a holiday experience that connects people. Our mission is to make sure when our guests disembark, they feel closer to their kids, their partners, to old friends and new cultures, or even to BFFs they didn’t know they had.  P&O has always been a place where you can connect, re-connect, and be authentically yourself, which is so important in this increasingly disconnected world. 

Stepping into a boarding terminal for any P&O cruise, you’ll notice that P&O attracts guests of all kinds. That’s what makes our new brand positioning more than just words. It’s a promise of inclusivity and connection for all Australians and Kiwis, regardless of age, culture, gender, or familial structure. 

We deliver incredible itineraries, an onboard environment that offers infinite ways for people to spend time together, a service proposition that is welcoming and inclusive, and a community that fosters togetherness in spirit, not matched anywhere else. 

Welcome to cruising with P&O.

Los Cabos is a truly special destination tucked on the very tip of Baja California Sur -long peninsula that stretches into the sea. Contrasts exist in total harmony: exclusive and utterly accessible, upscale and relaxed. This is where the desert meets the sea. The point at which the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean meet but do not mix. Where two cities – Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo – are only 20 miles apart yet tell dramatically different stories.

MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region, and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America, and Far East markets. MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive, and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve net-zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide, along with MSC Foundation – MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments.

Part of the nib group, nib Travel is one of Australia's largest providers and global distributors of travel insurance. nib Travel operates a family of travel insurance brands including nib Travel Insurance.

nib is a trusted travel insurance provider partnering with businesses and travel agents across Australia. Together with our expert network of travel insurance partners we help to empower travellers so they can make the right choices when considering travel insurance.

Our purpose is to support better health and wellbeing for travel adventures, not only when planning the trip but while overseas – with cover available for emergency overseas medical expenses, access to our high standard of emergency assistance 24 hours a day – and on a safe return home.

A recognised leader in worldwide cruising, Princess reaches over 360 ports on 15 modern vessels around the world, all equipped with our signature MedallionClass technology. Since our 1965 debut, Princess has grown to become one of the largest cruise lines in the world. We differentiate ourselves by providing excellent, warm & welcoming service, comfortable elegance & a worldwide variety of itineraries sailing across 7 continents. From our The Love Boat origins, to our soon-to-launch next generation Sphere-Class ships, our cherished past & new to brand guests will always find something to love about a Princess cruise!

Rail Online is a comprehensive platform that offers travel agents a convenient way to book and manage rail travel for their clients. The website streamlines the process of finding and booking train tickets across various countries and train operators, making it a valuable tool for agents who want an easy booking solution for rail. 

With a user-friendly interface, Rail Online provides access to a wide range of rail options such as EuroRail passes, Eurostar, Amtrak and VIA Rail. 

As the proud little sister of Singapore Airlines, Scoot is not your typical low-cost carrier (LCC). We are defined by our unique Scootitude – a passion for travel, connecting people and cultures, and pushing boundaries, which drives us to continually innovate, strive for improvement and seek new opportunities. We are an airline for the young, the young-at-heart and the value-seeking. People who believe that travel is all about spontaneous discovery, building connections and creating fresh experiences.

Cruising on a Seabourn ship is unlike any other form of travel. The experience is luxurious, yet relaxed - elegant, yet casual - sumptuous, yet understated. Our intimate ships visit the most desirable destinations worldwide, as well as to hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow. Seabourn offers ultra-luxury Ocean and Expedition cruising and continues to represent the pinnacle of that unique style of travel. On board, guests are served by an award-winning crew numbering nearly as many as the guests, hand-picked and extensively trained to deliver Seabourn’s signature style of thoughtful, personalised, and heartfelt hospitality.

At Wendy Wu Tours we live and breathe our unique fully-inclusive travel style, now to even more destinations worldwide including Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Africa! We take care of everything, international flights, all meals, all the sightseeing and entrance fees and even your client’s visa. They can sit back, relax and enjoy their holiday with it all taken care of.