22 May 2026 – With six months to go, CT Partners has confirmed details of its 2026 Annual
Conference, and it is unlike anything the Australian travel industry has seen before.
For the first time, a major industry event will be hosted aboard a luxury superyacht, and the
theme could not be more fitting: The Art of Travel.
Taking place from 15-20 November 2026, the event will commence in Shanghai with the
network’s AGM and conference kicking off at the iconic W Shanghai The Bund, before
delegates embark The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest superyacht, Luminara, for an
immersive three-night voyage concluding in Hong Kong.
Luminara carries 731 artworks curated across her interiors – the inspiration behind The Art
of Travel theme and the perfect canvas for CT Partners’ most ambitious conference yet.
Accommodation partner Marriott will host the opening night event at W Shanghai The
Bund, before Luminara provides the extraordinary setting for the remainder of the event.
The program brings The Art of Travel to life across every element. An evening of live jazz
music at the former Peace Hotel and a sampling of the finest Chinese cuisine at the W
Shanghai. Days aboard Luminara will feature one-on-one member and supplier meetings
and business sessions exploring the art of service, connection and conversation, culminating
in a Met Gala themed dinner and awards ceremony on the evening of 19 November.
The 2026 event marks a significant milestone for the network, which has reported TTV of
$2.5B in 2025 and continued to focus on growth across premium leisure and MICE.
CT Partners CEO Matt Masson said the 2026 conference is a reflection of everything the
network stands for.
“The Art of Travel is not just a theme; it is who we are. Luminara is the most extraordinary
stage we could have chosen. This is more than a conference. It is a statement about the
calibre of this network and the partners who believe in what we are building together.”
Seb Seward, Vice President Asia Pacific at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, said the
partnership with CT Partners is a natural fit for the collection’s newest superyacht.
“Luminara was designed to show the world what is possible when extraordinary art,
impeccable service and the open sea come together,” said Seward. “Welcoming CT Partners
on board for The Art of Travel is a perfect expression of everything this superyacht stands
for. This is the first time a travel industry conference of this kind has been hosted aboard a
luxury superyacht, and we could not be more honoured to be the stage for it.”
Full event details and program updates of CT Partners highly anticipated 2026 conference
will be announced in the coming months.
Media enquiries: LJ Loch 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 35 of the most
successful independent corporate-travel-management firms, events companies and premium
leisure agencies and represent the third largest buying group in Australia, with TTV in excess of
$2.5B per annum. Each year, CT Partners member businesses look after the needs of more than
1.3 million travellers.