APT Travel Group has been named among Australia’s top private enterprises, taking out top honours in Deloitte Private’s 2025 Best Managed Companies awards and cementing its position as a standout performer in the travel sector.
The awards announced today recognise nine Australian private companies for their business performance, innovation and values-led cultures, with APT Travel Group flying the flag for the travel industry.
Now in its sixth cycle in Australia, the Best Managed Companies program is sponsored by Google Cloud and celebrates private business success stories and their contribution to the national economy. Winners are selected through a comprehensive and impartial assessment process conducted by an independent judging panel, benchmarking entrants against a global network of more than 1300 top-performing private companies.
For APT Travel Group, the recognition underscores the company’s strategic focus and operational strength at a time of significant change across the global travel landscape.
“We are proud to once again recognise and support Australia’s outstanding private companies through the Best Managed Companies program,” Deloitte Partner and Australia Best Managed Companies Leader Claire Szatsznajder said.
“The theme for this year’s program was ‘connected for growth’. Our winners are defined by their strategic intention, with each organisation demonstrating a well-defined and executed strategy anchored in a compelling purpose and mission.”
Judges evaluated applicants across four key pillars: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, and governance and financials — areas that have been central to APT’s evolution as it continues to expand its global touring and cruising portfolio.
The recognition comes as privately owned travel businesses face mounting geopolitical uncertainty, shifting consumer demand and rapid technological transformation. According to Szatsznajder, those that remain agile while staying true to their long-term vision are emerging strongest.
“In a time of considerable geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, the best-performing businesses are the ones with the rare ability to stay connected with their people, communities and other stakeholders while executing on a long-term strategic vision.
“Our winners have each demonstrated a high level of strategic maturity and operational excellence. Their robust governance structures have enabled them to navigate change and deliver results that consistently outperform the market.
“This year’s cohort stood out for their effective adoption of technology across their operations. AI initiatives are being developed to drive efficiency and customer value, while each business maintains a considered approach to technology transformation that balances opportunity with long-term sustainability.
“Culture remains a defining strength, with every winner showing a lived commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and a distinct organisational identity. High levels of employee engagement and strong leadership succession planning are evident, supported by meaningful programmes and incentives that build loyalty and internal brand strength.
“We congratulate our winners for setting a new benchmark in private business excellence. We also thank Google Cloud for their continued support of the Best Managed Companies program and for sharing their expertise with program winners and participants.”
Winners are encouraged to re-join the program each year to maintain their Best Managed Companies status and continually improve performance. Among this year’s cohort, Kinetic IT achieved its fifth consecutive win, while BizCover returned as a winner for a second year. Talent and QBD Books each secured their third consecutive titles.
For APT Travel Group, the accolade positions the business among an elite group of privately owned Australian enterprises demonstrating sustained growth, disciplined governance and forward-thinking innovation — a notable achievement as the travel industry continues its next phase of global recovery and reinvention.
