In just two weeks, a record 110 of Australia’s leading independent travel business owners and supplier partners will gather for CT Partners’ 2026 Annual Conference, exploring The Art of Travel and how artificial intelligence is reshaping its future.
Running from 15-20 November, the five-day event will begin at W Shanghai – The Bund before delegates board Luminara, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest luxury superyacht, for a three-night voyage to Hong Kong.
The event marks the first time a travel industry conference has been hosted aboard a luxury superyacht, providing an extraordinary setting for discussions about the future of travel.
“Travel has always been about more than getting someone from A to B. It’s the expertise, relationships and personal touches that create unforgettable experiences, and that’s exactly what we’ve set out to deliver for our members and partners,” said CT Partners CEO Matt Masson.
“With a record number of delegates, an exceptional setting and a program tackling some of the biggest opportunities ahead for our industry, this promises to be one of our most exciting conferences yet.”
Artificial intelligence will take centre stage, with The Great Debate challenging industry leaders to consider a provocative proposition: “The Art of Travel is the one thing AI can never master”. The debate will provide a light-hearted and informative conversation about the craft of luxury travel, and how AI will intersect.
Leading AI strategist and entrepreneur Adrian Giles will deliver a keynote revealing findings from a CT Partners delegate survey, providing a first-of-its-kind benchmark of how travel agencies, airlines and suppliers are adopting AI and the barriers they are facing
Giles who co-founded Hitwise, a digital marketing and online competitive intelligence platform that tracked consumer internet behaviour, search trends, and website market share before its sale to Experian in 2007, will also explore AI’s potential impact on Australian occupations over the next decade, before leading an interactive workshop for delegates.
The broader program will bring together leaders from across the corporate and leisure travel sectors to explore modern airline retailing, evolving premium traveller expectations and the enduring value of travel advisors in an increasingly digital world.
Beyond the conference sessions, delegates will have opportunities to strengthen industry relationships and celebrate achievements, including a Met Gala-inspired awards evening aboard Luminara.
“At its heart, CT Partners is built on strong relationships and the collective expertise of our members and partners,” Masson said.
“This conference is about celebrating those connections while looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of travel.”
