Former Head of Partnerships at the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), Brett Harvey, has launched a new travel venture, Altura Travel Group, aimed at connecting international travel brands with the Australian market.
Based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Altura is built on Harvey’s 25-plus years of industry experience, including senior roles at Albatross Tours, Via Travel, Intrepid Travel and The Travel Corporation in London. The newly launched business offers a suite of services designed to help overseas travel companies establish and expand their presence in Australia.
According to Altura’s website, the company will support clients across sales, marketing, relationship building, market intelligence, brand awareness, business development, project management and consulting. It also plans to offer training programs tailored for tour operators, wholesalers and travel retailers, alongside operational support and event planning capabilities.
“Altura is more than just a business; it’s the culmination of 25 years in travel,” Harvey said in a LinkedIn post. “It’s a business built on relationships, experience, and the belief that strategic connections create powerful outcomes.”
The venture has already signed its first two clients – Australian touring brands Crooked Compass and Adventure by Air – with Altura assisting with sales and marketing development for private groups and charter services. Both brands are operated by Lisa Pagotto, who, like Harvey, is an alum of the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) program, graduating in 2013.
Harvey told travelBulletin that Altura is currently finalising contracts with additional clients, including a destination management company not yet active in Australia and a foreign exchange firm seeking to grow its profile within the local travel trade.
“There are many small and niche tour operators and DMCs keen to break into the Australian market but navigating local partnerships and regulatory requirements can be challenging,” Harvey explained.
“One key focus for Altura will be helping these businesses find trusted local partners and understand due diligence – from insurance to distribution channels.”
He also revealed plans to work with clients on developing educational tools and training resources for the CATO Training Academy, helping international operators reach the Australian travel trade more effectively.
Altura Travel Group’s early momentum suggests it may quickly become a valuable conduit for international brands eyeing growth in Australia’s competitive travel landscape.
