Collette is doubling down on small group touring in Australia, formally elevating Collette Explorations as the lead product within its local group travel portfolio following a record year of global growth.
Effective today, the move reflects what the company says is clear performance data, strong sales momentum and direct feedback from travel advisors and clients seeking more thoughtfully designed, premium small group experiences.
First introduced in 2008, Collette Explorations has continued to deliver high customer excellence scores and strong repeat demand. Now, the brand is being more clearly positioned in Australia as Collette’s best-in-class small group offering, aimed at travellers wanting deeper connection and more meaningful time in destination. Collette has operated in the Australian market since 2015, with small group touring recording the strongest growth in recent years.
“This evolution is very intentional,” Collette Australia managing director, Karen Deveson, said. “After an exceptional year of growth, we looked closely at what our agents are selling successfully, tours that are performing with high excellence, and what travellers are asking for. The data is clear; small group touring is where Collette truly stands out because it delivers premium experiences that feel considered, well-paced, and genuinely different.”
As part of the strategy shift, Collette is rolling out a suite of enhancements to the Explorations range. These include a new agent referral program, enhanced agent rewards, exclusive solo pricing and additional advisor-focused benefits to drive long-term partnership growth.
In a notable addition, every Collette Explorations booking will now include roundtrip home-to-airport private chauffeur service, regardless of whether air is purchased through Collette.
“At Collette, great travel starts with how a journey is designed,” said Collette President & CEO, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, who was recently in Australia to mark the announcement.
Collette CEO reveals tour lure to advisors and free chauffeur for travellers
“We have a global team of designers who create our tours and live in the destinations themselves. That local insight shapes everything on the tour from pacing to access to the kinds of people-to-people experiences travellers are looking for today.”
“Travellers want more meaningful time in the places they visit,” Leibl-Cote continued. “Our approach to pacing is rooted in an experience-rich design philosophy that prioritises connection, culture, and moments you simply couldn’t replicate travelling on your own. That’s what Collette Explorations delivers, supported by the industry-leading service we’ve refined since 1918.”
Collette Explorations tours average 19 travellers, allowing greater flexibility, access to unique accommodation and experiences beyond the reach of larger groups. While operating globally, the company maintains an on-the-ground Australian presence, including local BDMs, client care and emergency service teams supporting agents nationwide.
“This isn’t a reinvention of who we are,” added Deveson. “It’s an evolution. Travellers already love Collette Explorations. We’re leading with what’s growing, what’s trending, and, most importantly, what our agent partners and travellers value most.”
