CT Partners will bring together a record 110 independent travel business owners and supplier partners for its 2026 Annual Conference, running from November 15 to 20 between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The event will begin at W Shanghai – The Bund before delegates board Luminara, the newest yacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, for a three-night voyage to Hong Kong.
Artificial intelligence will be a major focus of the program, including a debate on whether the human side of travel can be replicated by AI.
Strategist and entrepreneur Adrian Giles will also present findings from a CT Partners delegate survey examining how travel agencies, airlines and suppliers are adopting AI and the barriers they face.
Other sessions will cover modern airline retailing, changing expectations among premium travellers and the continuing role of travel advisors in an increasingly digital industry.
Matt Masson, CT Partners CEO, said the conference would combine future-focused discussion with opportunities for members and partners to strengthen industry relationships, including a Met Gala-inspired awards evening aboard Luminara.
“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 Mr 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.”
Main image: From L to R: CT Partners CEO Matt Masson, CT Partners Head of Partnerships Nicole Hague and CT Partners Commercial Manager Liz Rooney with Anastasia Kotanidis, Director Travel Partnerships, Australia and New Zealand
