kabarsula APT celebrates 100 years of family, innovation and unforgettable journeys bandar SLOT INDONESIA

A century in business is no small feat, particularly in an industry as prone to change as travel. And for APT, longevity has never been about standing still. 

Born out of Melbourne’s transport networks, the family-owned operator’s story has been one of adapting, evolving and finding new ways to connect people with the world.

That story was front and centre as Lou Tandy and David Cox hosted a media partners lunch at Berowra Waters Inn, overlooking the serene Hawkesbury River.

Tandy said the business’s longevity came down to a culture of “continual renewal, continual innovation, and probably more simply, just continual improvement”. 

“We’ve watched, we’ve been alert to the market around us,” she said. 

The philosophy was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel restrictions brought APT’s revenue to zero almost overnight. With Melbourne enduring extended lockdowns and a cyber attack adding to the pressure, the business faced one of the most challenging periods in its history. 

Yet even as travel stopped, APT continued planning for the future, using the time to develop its next generation of river ships. 

“I always knew we’d get through it,” Tandy said, explaining that protecting the family-owned business remained the priority. 

“We came out of COVID 100 per cent family-owned and we came out of it with an incredible team… the scars to prove it, and hopefully a lot wiser from the experience as well.” 

A landmark year for APT

APT’s commitment to looking ahead has translated into a busy year of product development and expansion already.

Highlights include the launch of Travelmarvel Rigel, the christening of APT Ostara and the introduction of the world’s only five-star paddle steamer, Australian Star. 

Acquisitions have also broadened the group’s reach, with UK-based solo travel business One Traveller and the Murray River Paddlesteamers Company joining the portfolio.

APT has also launched its brand in New York, taking its Australian offering to a market dominated by some of the world’s largest travel companies. 

“As an Australian company, we send Australians overseas, and we compete against the world’s biggest brands and some of the world’s biggest travel companies,” Cox said. “We though: let’s take it back to their backyard too.” 

Sustainability is another area of focus, with the operator recently achieving B-Corp certification, a feat that Cox says felt natural.  

“Actually, we didn’t do anything different, other than fill out a lot of forms,” he said. 

The group has also enjoyed a strong year of industry recognition, with accolades including Lou Tandy’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the consumer category and APT’s recent win as the NTIA’s Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Global.

Tandy said the recent industry recognition was further evidence that APT’s business model continues to hold its own. 

“What they mean to us is that, after 100 years, we’ve still got it,” she said. “We’re a business with prominence, and we’ve got a really special history.” 

The future of APT

APT’s next century of innovation is already underway. Alongside further river cruise developments in Europe and Portugal, the group is preparing to launch its first purpose-built ocean ship for Travelmarvel. 

Scheduled to debut in early 2029, Travelmarvel Capricorn will be an ice-class vessel carrying roughly 200 passengers across nine decks, with all-balcony cabins and five restaurants. Its name carries a family connection, honouring Tandy’s mother and recalling her father’s own expedition vessel.  

The group has also set its sights on becoming a $1 billion business by 2030, with continued investment and international expansion underpinning the strategy. 

Reaching 100 is both a milestone and a reminder of what has kept the business moving forward. APT’s history is firmly rooted in family and its future will depend on the same willingness to adapt that has brought it this far.  

As Tandy put it: “What’s important is preserving what’s special, and evolving at the same time.”