Travellers Choice has told members that its new AI powered search engine will be unveiled within weeks, as the network moves closer to launching technology designed to help agents find preferred products and build itineraries more efficiently.
The update was shared during the group’s 2026 Member Meetings, held across six state capitals in July. Technology, trust and the changing needs of independent travel businesses were among the central themes.
Travellers Choice Chair Trent Bartlett opened the meetings with an overview of the social and technological developments expected to reshape the travel sector during the next decade.
With the pace of change continuing to accelerate, Bartlett said the businesses most likely to survive would not necessarily be the strongest or smartest, but those best able to adapt.
He said independent agents could improve their ability to respond by joining a network that provided scale, supplier partnerships and technology that reduced administrative work. These efficiencies would give consultants more time to develop trusted relationships with clients.
Managing Director Christian Hunter then outlined Travellers Choice’s technology strategy, including its development of an AI powered search engine and itinerary builder.
First revealed at the group’s 2025 conference in Melbourne, the project is intended to search live preferred product databases and curate customer itineraries.
Travellers Choice expects the technology to save agents time while reducing bookings made through non preferred suppliers.
The group has now digitised its preferred product portfolio, clearing the way for the first part of the project to launch. Hunter said the AI search engine would allow agents to locate preferred products that matched a broad range of customer requirements.
Hunter also discussed the network’s new Member Performance Summary dashboard, released in late July. The platform gives agency owners access to detailed sales data drawn from current figures supplied by preferred partners.
According to Hunter, members are already using insights from the dashboard to identify growth opportunities and improve their financial performance.
The meetings also included updates on Travellers Choice’s results for the 2025/26 financial year, its performance in the current year and the continued growth of its national network.
Members were also briefed on the group’s professional development programs, including Pro Advance, a course introduced in early 2026 to support future agency leaders.
More information is available at travelagentschoice.com.au.
Featured image: (L-R) Dianne Garbin (Floreat World of Travel), Dianne Ramirez (Everywhere Travel), Claire Dongen (Everywhere Travel), Christian Hunter and Michelle Sorgiovanni (Villa Holiday Your Way)
