The Travel Corporation, whose brands include Trafalgar, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Contiki, has appointed Havas as its first agency of record following a competitive, holding company-level pitch. Publicis Australia has also been named as global creative partner for Contiki.
Havas and Publicis Australia beat several agencies in the final stage of the review process and now join as TTC’s primary strategic partners on its agency roster. The process was managed through the UK’s AAR Group.
The Travel Corporate will transition from a predominantly in-house marketing model to a strategic partnership structure across all key marketing disciplines, including creative, media and content production.
It represents a core component of TTC’s ongoing strategic transformation, following its 2024 acquisition by asset management firm Apollo.
In line with this transformation programme, the agency partners have been tasked with growing several TTC brands, including Trafalgar (guided travel), Uniworld (luxury travel) and Contiki (youth travel). Each with its own distinct proposition, customer base and growth ambition.
TTC currently spends a combined US$30 million ($45 million) on media per annum, with significant planned investment through 2029.
Duncan Robertson, TTC’s open age chief customer officer, said: “2026 marks an important chapter in TTC’s more than 100-year history, as we embark on a bold strategic transformation and reimagine how our brands connect with millions of travellers worldwide. In Havas, we have found the ideal partner to deliver the scale, capability and innovation required to compete in an increasingly complex travel market and achieve our ambitious growth goals.
“More than anyone else, Havas showed real empathy and recognised the nuances of our unique brands – demonstrating an ability to deliver cross-brand efficiency while respecting the strategic and executional differences between each.”
Tamara Greene, the chief client officer of global brands at Havas Creative Network, said: “What an exciting opportunity The Travel Corporation is for an agency network. The travel industry is on a journey of disruption and innovation.
“Partnering with TTC on these great brands – each with their own unique challenges and opportunities – is a real privilege. We are very thankful that TTC have placed their faith in Havas at such a pivotal moment for them, we are thrilled, and we can’t wait to get started.”
Publicis & Contiki
Publicis Australia has been appointed as the Contiki global agency, including brand strategy, creative, social and digital transformation. Publicis Production Australia will handle production for the travel brand.
Maria Parisi, director of acquisition and retention at Contiki, said: “Contiki is entering its next chapter, and we’re thrilled to partner with Publicis Australia as our global creative agency. Their deep understanding of youth culture, global scale through Publicis Groupe and creative ambition make them the right partner to help us continue evolving the Contiki brand for a new generation of travellers, while staying true to the spirit that has defined us for more than 60 years.”
