QBT, ITG Indigenous TMC

HELLOWORLD Travel Ltd has forged a joint venture between QBT and In Travel Group (ITG) to create a majority Indigenous- owned TMC in Australia called Inspire Travel Management.

In Travel Group is a boutique corporate travel management company with over 30 years’ experience in the travel sector, working across areas such as entertainment, mining, sports, resources, music, arts, events, conferences and not-for-profits.

Managed by exec director and founder Dwayne Good, ITG’s tie- up with QBT has involved “months of discussion and collaboration” with HLO’s Russell Carstensen.

“Having worked in the travel industry for over ten years I can see Indigenous Australians are under-represented and I am excited & passionate to be working to address that,” Good said.

“This collaboration goes further than the obvious long-term employment opportunities for Indigenous people, and will work towards creating Indigenous travel professionals, experts in this industry that currently has very little Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island representation.”

Helloworld Travel ceo Andrew Burnes said the group was proud to partner with ITG to create Inspire Travel Management, a platform that will enable HLO to showcase the business’ “best practice in the industry in the areas of Indigenous employment and procurement outcomes”.

QBT group gm Nick Sutherland said the TMC has “significant ties” with corporate clients who have strong values around CSR and is pleased to work on a new biz that ties in with the Australian Govt Indigenous Procurement Policy.

The new entity will be headed by Good as managing director.

Inspired Travel Management will be based in Melbourne and has nine offices around the country.