As Australia and New Zealand experts, AAT Kings is in the business of turning dreams into reality. Demand for the region, long regarded as a bucket-list destination, is on the rise, says Margot Windenburg, Senior Sales Manager, North America, which means huge opportunities for travel advisors. In this week’s Take 5, Windenburg provides some useful selling tips and shares her favourite must-visit spots.

1. What can you tell us about the region and how it’s trending in 2025? 

“Demand for Australia and New Zealand travel is continuing to grow in 2025, with bookings trending positively across the board. We’re seeing strong interest from Canadian travellers, particularly for immersive, guided experiences that showcase the region’s natural beauty, rich culture and unique wildlife.

“The classic hotspots – Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Centre (Uluru & Kings Canyon) – remain top choices, but there’s also a surge in demand for off-the-beaten-path destinations. The Kimberley and Tasmania are up-and-coming destinations for Canadian travellers eager to explore remote landscapes, indigenous heritage and incredible wildlife.

“In New Zealand, demand is growing for our South Island tours. South Island’s scenic wonders, particularly Milford Sound, Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier. Travellers are drawn to the dramatic fjords, rugged mountains and stunning alpine landscapes that define the region. Meanwhile adventure seekers are flocking to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park for its breathtaking hikes and stargazing experiences in the Dark Sky Reserve.”

2. Australia & New Zealand are typically known as bucket-list destinations for Canadians, simply because they’re so far away. What selling tips do you have to agents on how to sell the destinations to repeat clients?

“While many Canadians visit Australia and New Zealand as a once-in-a-lifetime trip, there’s so much diversity in the region that it’s easy to entice them back for a second or third visit. Here are a few tips for agents:

“Focus on a new region. If they’ve done Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, suggest Tasmania, South Australia or the Northern Territory for a completely different experience. In New Zealand, if they’ve visited the South Island, they might love the hidden gems of the North Island such as the Bay of Islands, Rotorua and Hawke’s Bay for a unique and diverse perspective.

“Highlight unique experiences. Encourage travellers to go beyond the icons with immersive experiences, such as indigenous and nature focused tours in Kakadu National Park, boutique wine tasting in the Barossa Valley and an immersive experience on Kangaroo Island, or an overnight cruise on Milford Sound in New Zealand.

“Promote shoulder season travel. Many Canadians travel in peak season (November – March), but shoulder season (April – June) offers fewer crowds, incredible autumn scenery in New Zealand, and fantastic wildlife experiences in Australia. The climate is still fantastic during those timeframes with cooler temperatures in Australia’s Northern Territory. Often times, the overall cost is less during these timeframes as well.”

3. What new tours/excursions should agents know about in 2025?

“Our premium brand of touring, Inspiring Journeys, has several new tours for this season.  These tours offer smaller groups with an average group size of 16 passengers, custom designed coaches, premium stays in five-star or boutique accommodation, and unique itineraries designed for your guests to explore, indulge, immerse and relax in some of the most remarkable parts of Australia and New Zealand.

“Australia’s Hidden Wonders | Inspiring Journeys US is the perfect journey for your guests on their first trip to Australia featuring the highlights of Sydney, Rock and Reef.

“For a guest seeking an unparalleled experience of one of the most off the beaten path regions of Australia, check out our Kimberley Gorges & Gibb River Road | Inspiring Journeys US.

“For guests who are outdoor enthusiasts, our premium tours explore Tasmania’s great expanse. Forge a connection with nature and the land while experiencing the journey with a small, tailored group of like-minded travellers on Tasting Tasmania & Flinders Island | Inspiring Journeys US.

“For guests seeking famous food markets and award-winning wine, check out South Australia Discovery | Inspiring Journeys US.

“On the Inspiring New Zealand | Inspiring Journeys US, guests will learn about Māori traditions and explore historic towns like Christchurch and Hokitika. Discover Marlborough Sounds’ pristine waters and enjoy special stays in remote lodges such as those in Marlborough Sounds and the scenic Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat.”

4. What agent resources do you offer that will help agents sell the region more effectively?

“Great question! For agents wanting to learn more about AAT Kings, Inspiring Journeys, Australia and New Zealand we have our A-Listers program. This program was designed for agents and features a podcast series available on Spotify or Apple Music with podcasts 5-30 minutes in length.  It will give you the insights into latest trends in travel, loads of tips on how to sell successfully, destination insights, sustainable travel info and more. As you listen to the series, complete the associated quizzes and you’ll start to earn greater savings for your own AAT Kings travel in our destinations, up to 60% off!” Here is the link to get started: https://www.aatkings.com/en-us/resources/alisters-podcast.

5. Finally, what’s your favourite destination in Australia/New Zealand, and why is it a must-visit?

“I have so many! One of my all-time favorites is Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia, it’s filled with Australian wildlife and amazing landscapes. It’s somewhere you can experience all of Australia’s wildlife in the wild. The Top End around Darwin is also a destination I love for similar reasons, plus the Aboriginal culture in this region is significant and it’s a region of Australia for someone who wants to not only experience the wildlife and natural beauty, but great for someone who wants to learn about history and Aboriginal culture.

“In New Zealand, Queenstown is absolutely stunning. This is the adventure capital of New Zealand. This picturesque city is filled with natural beauty and adventure, from jetboating to bungy jumping. This is also typically the starting point to visit Milford Sound on a full-day tour, which is an experience included in our range of touring when visiting Queenstown.”

For more information about AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys, go to www.inspiringjourneys.com and www.aatkings.com.