6 May 2025: As Global Travel Advisor Day is marked worldwide on 7 May, CT
Partners, Australia’s leading network of independent Travel Management Companies
(TMCs), is calling attention to the essential role its members play in helping Corporate
Australia navigate disruption, safeguard employee wellbeing, and ensure continuity of
operations when plans go awry.
From total airport shutdowns and volcanic ash clouds to delayed departures and cancelled
connections, travel volatility has become a defining feature of modern corporate mobility.
And in this unpredictable environment, the ability to act quickly and decisively is a
competitive advantage especially when it comes to managing credits, delays, and duty of
care obligations.
Recent events, including the blackout at London’s Heathrow Airport and widespread
airspace disruptions across Southeast Asia, left hundreds of thousands of travellers
stranded or rerouted. But for clients of CT Partners members, the impact was significantly
reduced.
CT Partners members responded immediately including Orbit World Travel which
redeployed its After-Hours team and leveraged its proprietary platform to identify impacted
clients in real time; TAG which scaled its global after-hours agent network and deployed
automated notification tools for over 268 disrupted bookings; and Connections Travel
Group which proactively rerouted executives before they were even aware of the problem.
With more than $2 billion in annual transaction value and over two million travellers
supported each year, CT Partners is trusted by Australia’s most discerning organisations to
deliver resilience, speed and service when it matters most. Whether it’s securing waiver
codes, navigating complex supplier terms, or maintaining 24/7 visibility of traveller
locations, CT Partners members are enabling businesses to meet their obligations and
keep their people safe.
Quotes attributable to Matt Masson, CEO, CT Partners
“Global Travel Advisor Day is a timely reminder of the critical role travel professionals play
in Corporate Australia. As disruption becomes a permanent feature of the travel landscape,
more and more businesses are turning to accredited, professional travel management
companies to help them manage risk, safeguard their people and deliver continuity.”
“These aren’t just services. they are strategic functions. From rerouting flights mid-air and
managing complex credit systems to maintaining real-time visibility of employee
movements to ensure duty of care, CT Partners members deliver outcomes and support to
corporate Australia, not just itineraries.”
“Our network is made up of independent, experienced businesses that are deeply invested
in their clients’ success. This day is about recognising their value and the trust that
Corporate Australia continues to place in them.”
Andre Moten, Chief Commercial Officer, Connections Travel Group
“Disruptions are no longer rare occurrences, they’re part of today’s travel landscape.”
“Whether driven by capacity constraints, severe weather, or geopolitical issues, these
events demand an immediate, informed response. During the recent closure at London
Heathrow for example nine of our clients were directly impacted. We were able to
proactively alert travellers, provide timely updates, and adjust itineraries where needed
often before passengers were even aware of the situation.”
“This level of service is only possible through investment in real-time tracking technology
and a dedicated, in-house after-hours support team that isn’t outsourced or offshore. As
travel volatility continues, working with an experienced, accredited Travel Management
Company like Connections Travel Group ensures our clients have both foresight and
support when it matters most.”
Baris Celik, Director of Operations APAC, TAG
“The Heathrow shutdown impacted more than 268 of our client bookings globally and was
a stark reminder of how unpredictable international travel can be. As soon as we became
aware of the disruption, we ran a booking report to identify affected travellers and
immediately scaled up our after-hours agent network across time zones to meet the surge
in demand.”
“Our product support team reviewed all airline websites to understand their change policies
and what was covered. This information was shared with the agents to ensure they had the
most current details available. Additionally, we deployed our automated tool that scans all
bookings and notifies travellers of any affected reservations, allowing us to act before many
travellers even realised their plans had changed.”
“Disruptions like these are no longer the exception. They’re the reality of modern travel. It’s
in these moments that the true value of a Travel Management Company becomes clear.
We don’t just manage bookings. We manage outcomes, ensuring businesses and their
people stay supported, informed, and mobile when it matters most.”
Lisa Story, Founding Partner and Director, Orbit World Travel
“We had over 35 travellers directly impacted by the Heathrow closure, with flights delayed,
cancelled or rerouted. We activated a multi-channel response sending immediate updates
via LinkedIn and EDM and contacting affected clients directly. For those already overseas,
we arranged rebookings, accommodation or cancellations as needed.”
“We also secured airline waiver codes to eliminate financial penalties and briefed our After
Hours team with traveller reports and policy updates to ensure seamless, 24/7 support.
Through our Orbit Care platform, we had full visibility of all affected travellers and could act
quickly.”
While I anticipate that travel disruptions will remain a feature of the industry due to weather
events, technical issues and broader global factors, I do not expect large-scale airport
shutdowns to become a regular occurrence. Heathrow-style closures remain relatively rare,
and operational resilience has improved. That said, with airlines and airports operating
near or at full capacity, the industry must remain agile and prepared to respond to
increased pressure on systems, supply chains and infrastructure.”
For media enquiries, contact LJ Loch at ljloch@alphaconsulting.global or 0488 038 555
About CT Partners:
Founded in 2004, CT Partners stands out as Australia’s leading independently owned travel-buying network, consistently championing the interests of its members by passing through 100% of supplier payments and driving innovation. CT Partners’ members are 32 of the most successful independent corporate-travel-management firms and premium-leisure agencies and represent the third largest buying group in Australia, with TTV in excess of $2B in FY24. Each year, CT Partners member businesses look after the needs of more than 2 million travellers.