When Wentworth Travel first opened its doors in 1985 — then known as Casanna Travel — being a travel adviser looked very different.
Airline bookings were made over the phone, confirmations arrived via telex and researching destinations relied on stacks of brochures and firsthand knowledge. There were no booking engines and no email, just expertise, relationships and a deep understanding of clients’ needs.
Fast forward 40 years, and while the industry has transformed, Wentworth Travel’s core strength remains the same: personalised service, expert advice and a reputation built on trust. As a founding member of CT Partners, Australia’s leading independent travel-buying network, Wentworth Travel continues to thrive by leveraging global partnerships, premium supplier relationships and the collective strength of like-minded independent agencies.
A legacy of independent excellence
Wentworth Travel’s story began with Bev Cohen and Margaret Ann Mayo, who recognised an opportunity for a boutique travel agency in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and co-founded Casanna Travel (named after their daughters Casey and Anna) in 1985.
Their two-desk office in the Edgecliff Centre operated with just two dial-up phones and a telex machine, serving a growing base of loyal clients.
In 1993, Bev Cohen took full ownership of the business and rebranded it as Wentworth Travel, setting the foundation for the agency’s continued growth. That same year, at just 19 years old, Bev’s daughter, Anna McMurtrie, became a director of the company — a decision driven by the legal requirement for businesses to have two directors, but one that would later shape the future of Wentworth Travel.
L–R Gwynn Boyd, Anna McMurtrie & Camilla Boyd
“Mum had an incredible instinct for the travel business and built Wentworth Travel on the values of service, loyalty and relationships,” says McMurtrie. “Even at a young age, I saw how much trust our clients placed in us. That philosophy of putting clients first has been at the heart of Wentworth Travel ever since.”
“My first site inspection was the Royal Hawaiian, aged nine. I still proudly remember being asked to help out during school holidays. My job was to hold on to the telephone and wait for the airlines to answer. I also sorted all the brochures and helped with the banking.”
After a successful career in banking and finance, McMurtrie returned to the business in 2010, applying her commercial expertise to further develop Wentworth Travel’s strong supplier partnerships and premium client services.
The strength of independent agencies with CT Partners
As one of CT Partners’ founding members, Wentworth Travel has been able to maintain its independence while gaining access to industry-leading supplier agreements, premium airline partnerships and a collective strength that allows them to compete at the highest level.
“The way we work has evolved beyond recognition, but what hasn’t changed is the need for genuine expertise and personal service,” says McMurtrie. “Our clients value having a trusted adviser who knows them, anticipates their needs and is there to support them when things don’t go to plan. Being part of CT Partners means we can deliver even greater value, with access to exclusive supplier deals and airline agreements that strengthen what we offer.”
CT Partners CEO Matt Masson says Wentworth Travel is a perfect example of how independent agencies can thrive with the right support.
“CT Partners exists to champion our members’ success. We don’t have outside interests — every decision we make is about delivering value back to agencies like Wentworth Travel,” says Masson. “They represent everything that makes independent travel businesses so strong: deep expertise, highly personalised service and a client-first approach. We’re proud to have them as part of CT Partners.”
Unmatched service, built on relationships
Long-time client Camilla Boyd, who has trusted Wentworth Travel with nearly every trip for the past 40 years, says the agency’s unwavering dedication is what sets them apart.
“We’ve had some stressful moments while travelling — like being stranded in Italy with no transport or stuck in a heatwave at a hotel in Ireland where the windows wouldn’t open. Each time, Wentworth Travel fixed the problem immediately. They don’t just book holidays; they make sure everything runs smoothly, and when it doesn’t, they’re right there with a solution,” says Boyd.
With a team of 17 highly experienced travel designers, Wentworth Travel remains one of Australia’s leading independent travel agencies, offering bespoke leisure itineraries backed by the global benefits of Virtuoso and the powerful tailored support of CT Partners.
“The future of independent travel agencies is strong because clients want more than just an online booking — they want an advocate,” says McMurtrie. “CT Partners gives us the commercial strength to compete while keeping our independence and focusing on what we do best: looking after our clients.”
