Travel Agents Collaborate for Darwin Travel Festival
Three years ago, when Darwin-based personal travel manager (PTM), Lisa Malnar, set out to create the Darwin Travel Festival, she quickly realised that she would need connect with other local travel advisors that would share both her vision and her workload.
As the only Darwin-based PTM within TravelManagers’ national network of more than 500 PTMs, Lisa looked to the wider NT travel community. With support from her Business Partnership Manager, Lisa teamed up with Rachel Turner from Helloworld Travel Darwin to create an event that has become bigger and more successful every year. This is Lisa’s story of how she turned competition into cooperation to create a one-of-a-kind travel event.
How did the idea for the Darwin Travel Festival come about?
Although Rachel and I are technically competitors, we quickly realised we had a shared passion for creating something special. We wanted to offer an event focused solely on global travel options, a stance unique in our region. That vision became the foundation for the Darwin Travel Festival.
What role did TravelManagers play in supporting the event?
From the beginning, TravelManagers supported our collaboration, ensuring that we had access to everything we needed to make our event a huge hit. Their strong relationships with partner suppliers were integral to our success at the expo.
Lisa Malnar, Darwin-based Personal Travel Manager and co-creator of the Darwin Travel Festival
Who sponsored this year’s festival and how big was it?
This year’s event was sponsored by Novotel Darwin Airport, Travel Gateway, and AANT. There was an impressive lineup of more than 35 global stalls and 55 suppliers and more than a thousand Territorians flocked to the event, eager to take advantage of the exclusive travel deals, prizes and expertise on offer. The festival’s vibrant atmosphere was due in no small part to major giveaways on offer throughout the day; Qantas, Airnorth, Island Explorer Holidays and Elephant Hill all contributed to a prize pool that was worth more than $20,000 in total.
What kind of feedback did you get from the suppliers?
We knew we were on the right track when suppliers began actively approaching us. Suppliers had seen the value we offer with our event, and they were happy to spread the word within the industry on our behalf. From their perspective, I think it makes sense to show support for multiple travel brands by participating in a single, co-branded festival.
Were there any new additions this year?
Yes. We were thrilled to have several new suppliers join us in 2025, representing travel experiences in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, further expanding our event’s international appeal.
What’s it like working so closely with a competitor?
At first glance, it might seem odd to be working so closely with a competitor, but I’m so grateful to have a fabulous festival partner in Rachel. We pull each other through the lows, and we share in the highs, and we have learned to divide the workload according to our strengths.
Looking back, how do you feel about the event?
With more than a thousand attendees in 2025, we’re thrilled with the impact we’ve made. It’s a lot of hard work, but seeing the success of the event makes every moment worthwhile. We are proud of what we’ve built, and excited to see what’s next.
The Darwin Travel Festival stands as a powerful reminder that collaboration within the travel industry can be incredibly beneficial. What began as a simple idea has evolved into a highly anticipated annual event that not only celebrates the joy of travel but also unites the local travel industry in a shared mission.
