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Travel Heavyweights Gather to Debate Industry Future at Beyond Borders This Friday

The latest trends in travel as well as the future of the industry over the next five years will feature heavily in the Beyond Borders summit on Friday at The Star in Brisbane as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the industry gathers ahead of the NTIA at the same venue on Saturday.  

This year’s Beyond Borders agenda contains a blockbuster a day-long information feast delivered by experts from all facets of the industry as well as key government officials and leading market research analysts.  

Sessions will address everything from the latest consumer trends, the outlook to 2030, and how to retain staff in addition to an address from the Interim Aviation Obuds Samantha Palmer on the scheme that will drive greater protection for consumers.  

Industry heavyweights, Flight Centre Travel Group CEO Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner, Helloworld Travel Executive Director Cinzia Burnes, Collette Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Christian Leibl-Cote and Group CEO and Managing Director Webjet Group Katrina Barry will deliver a blockbuster final session on their outlooks.  

At the conclusion of Beyond Borders Viking will throw the NTIA Finalist Celebration at The Star’s Leisure Deck which promises to be a fantastic night which will provide an opportunity for the ‘best of the best’ in the industry to network and mingle ahead of the NTIA the following evening, also at The Star.   

This Friday’s Beyond Borders will begin with a review of 2025 in travel from the ATIA Board including chair Christian Hunter and ATIA CEO Dean Long.  

Then a panel comprising Toni Ambler, Managing Director Australia NZ, Contiki, Trafalgar & Insight Vacations; Brett Mitchell, Managing Director Australia & NZ, Intrepid Travel; Jo Scully, CEO Corporate Travel Management; Rohan Moss, Group General Manager - Consolidation Helloworld and moderated by Dean Long will discuss the outlook to 2030.  

Biheng Zhang, General Manager of the Intrepid Foundation will discuss how the travel industry can join forces for meaningful impact to benefit those in need and resonate strongly with today’s value-driven travellers.   

Adele Labine-Romain, head of Travel and Tourism at Roy Morgan Research, will deliver new research on the latest emerging trends and shifting preferences in the industry.  

A panel of industry experts will then discuss the research findings, in a session moderated by Chris Waite, Director of Chris Waite Corporate Affairs & Communications that includes Founder and Managing Director of Gate 7, Jo Palmer; Managing Director of Performance Travel and Chair of ATAC, Jack Taylor; Managing Director of Entire Travel Group Brad McDonnell, and Country Manager APAC for Afterpay, Katrina Konstas.   

Following lunch, topics will include Workforce, which will be discussed by a panel comprising Jean Summers, Co-owner and Director of Product & Marketing, HR & Recruitment, Clean Cruising; Natalie Turmine, CEO, Service and Creative Skills Australia and Phoebe Champion, Gen Z Advisory Committee member at My First Job. The panel will be moderated by Roslyn Ranse of Travel Agent Achievers.  

The nexus between Government and Travellers will be examined by a panel comprised of Tharanie Vithanage, First Assistant Secretary Strategy & Border Modernisation, Australian Border Force; Ryan Both, Executive General Manager Aviation, Brisbane Airport Corporation and Claire Rochecouste, Assistant Secretary, Consular Communications and Policy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The panel will be and moderated by ATIA Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Ingrid Fraser.  

For the first time, the event includes breakout content in the afternoon session. Robin Mellon, CEO of Better Sydney, will moderate a panel including Michelle Degenhardt, Global Sustainability Officer at Flight Centre Travel Group and Brett Mitchell, Managing Director AU/NZ for Intrepid Travel that will discuss ATIA's ongoing commitment to helping members meet Modern Slavery legislation and how travel businesses can operate responsibly and ethically in today’s global market.   

 A discussion aimed at offering actionable insights for independent members will feature Nicole O'Sullivan, Managing Director of Bird's Eye View Consulting, Alex Teoh , Co-Founder and Group CEO, Mint Payments, and Greg McCarthy, Founder and Co-CEO of Adamaz Travel. The trio will offer their insights on the landscape for travel businesses in 2026 across the diverse subjects of sales, business transition and payments, in a session moderated by ATIA Director of Membership & Industry Affairs Richard Taylor.  

 QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO, DEAN LONG  
“Beyond Borders is where the ideas that shape the future of our industry are born. Bringing together the most influential voices from across the sector - alongside government and research leaders - creates a rare and valuable opportunity to step back, share insights and look at where we’re heading together. With so much change in technology, consumer behaviour and workforce dynamics, this year’s program will help set the agenda for the next five years of Australian travel. I’m looking forward to the conversations, the connections and the energy that only this industry can deliver.”