Margot Windenburg, the Senior Sales Manager for North America at AAT Kings, has been a driving force in the travel industry for over two decades, with nearly eight years dedicated to AAT Kings. Her profound passion for Australia and New Zealand is reflected in the meticulously crafted tours that offer travelers unforgettable experiences. The 2025/2026 season for AAT Kings and its premium sister brand, Inspiring Journeys, introduces exciting new itineraries such as the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Tour and the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company visit.
Margot is also a staunch advocate for AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, which aim to positively impact local communities and the environment. Her commitment extends to supporting travel agents through advanced tools like the TTC Travel Agent Portal, ensuring seamless booking and management. Margot’s expertise and dedication make her a key figure in delivering exceptional travel experiences across Australia and New Zealand.
Travel Research Online: Hi Margot, how are you today? It looks like AAT Kings has some big news to discuss with a new 2025/2026 season announcement.
Margot Windenberg: I’m doing great! Yes, we are very excited to announce our new 25/26 seasons for both AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys.
AAT Kings offers guests a variety of immersive experiences in the most iconic locations across Australia and New Zealand, accompanied by some of the most informed and friendly Travel Directors and Driver Guides on our coach touring.
To celebrate the launch, AAT Kings is offering exclusive deals, giving travelers access to up to 15% off selected tours departing between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
Each year, we push boundaries to curate the best travel moments on our tours, and this season is no exception with the addition of experiences like Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Tour KI, Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company, and a jet boat cruise across Lake Manapouri in New Zealand.
Inspiring Journeys, sister brand of AAT Kings Group and one renowned for offering immersive, small-group premium travel experiences, has announced its new 2025/2026 season itineraries, featuring three brand-new tours that promise to uncover the best-kept secrets of Australia. To celebrate, Inspiring Journeys is offering travellers the opportunity to save up to 10% on selected itineraries.
The 2025/2026 Inspiring Journeys season tour highlights span both Australia and New Zealand, featuring new tours across Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, and new experiences added to itineraries across New Zealand.
TRO: First, let’s get a bit of background on you. How long have you worked for AAT Kings? Also, how would you compare this season announcement to previous seasons?
MW: I have been with AAT Kings for nearly 8 years, I have worked in the travel industry for over 20 years with a background focused on Australia and New Zealand. I have a great deal of passion for this part of the world and enjoy seeing more people experience the magic it has to offer.
This season, we have a wide range of new tours and new experiences across both AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys tours. Our tours include the addition of a number of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences such as the Devils@Cradle and Port Arthur tours, designed to provide in-depth insights into local communities with a positive impact. Guests can explore these expertly crafted tours that showcase the beauty and cultural richness of Australia and New Zealand.
TRO: Can you tell us more about the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Tour and what guests can expect from this experience?
MW: This is an experience on our 5-day Remarkable Adelaide to Kangaroo Island tour. If Australia was an aroma, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery would be it. Pick up essential oils, body creams, sweets honey and soaps, and taste their cider. Then bliss out knowing that anything you eat or use not only tastes and smells great, but also has therapeutic properties.
TRO: The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company sounds delicious! What makes this experience unique for food lovers?
MW: This experience on our 13-day Perfect Tasmania tour unites Tasmania’s clean air and water, lush landscapes and verdant soils. It all unites to create a drool-worthy, sweet and savory condiment experience at the Gourmet Sauce Company, overlooking the South Esk River and the dramatic Eastern Highlands. Guests can explore the estate’s gardens, then sample the oh-so-tasty wares, whether sauces, jams, mustards, or relishes with their included lunch.
TRO: Can you explain how the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences contribute positively to local communities and the environment?
MW: MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experiences have been selected based on the social and environmental impact they have on their communities and those who experience them.
By choosing an AAT Kings journey that includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience, you can be assured that you will be contributing in a meaningful way to the people and places you visit.
Each MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience is assessed against a robust set of criteria using a proprietary assessment tool endorsed by industry experts and developed exclusively for AAT Kings and The Travel Corporation family of brands.
TRO: What special preparations and considerations are involved in curating tours that emphasize First Nations culture, such as the Mimbi Caves tour?
MW: Mimbi Caves is an inclusion on our Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley tour where we visit the spectacular Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide and take a deep dive into First Nations culture, discovering ancient rock paintings and Dreamtime stories. Observe the limestone formations and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from a 350-million-year-old Devonian Great Barrier Reef.
TRO: What can travel agents expect from the new A-LISTERS podcast series featuring AAT Kings Group CEO Ben Hall?
MW: A-Listers is our new agent training podcast series, currently featuring 21 episodes with more being added regularly. Agents can learn more about the series here: AAT Kings A-Listers. Alongside the podcasts, there are quizzes available through The Travel Corporation Agent Academy. By completing the program, agents can earn increased discounts on their own travel, with greater discounts awarded as they sell more AAT Kings products after finishing the program. In the latest episode, our CEO, Ben Hall, discusses what’s new for the 2025/2026 season, including new tours and several exciting experiences added to our offerings.
TRO: How does the TTC Travel Agent Portal (TAP) enhance the booking experience for travel agents working with AAT Kings’ tours?
MW: With the TTC Travel Agent Portal (TAP) agents can use their Travel Corporation single sign on and greatly enhance their booking experience when booking AAT Kings’ tours. The platform offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the booking process. With real-time availability and pricing updates, agents can provide accurate information to their clients instantly. The portal also provides comprehensive product information, including detailed itineraries and inclusions, helping agents to recommend the best options to their clients. Additionally, TAP streamlines booking management, allowing agents to make changes, cancellations, or add special requests. The portal also includes marketing and sales tools, such as brochures and flyers, to help agents promote AAT Kings’ tours effectively. The portal offers access to training resources and support, keeping agents informed about the latest products and best practices. Overall, TAP empowers travel agents to efficiently book, manage, and promote AAT Kings’ tours, enhancing their ability to serve their clients.
TRO: Thank you for your time, Margot. Is there anything else that you’d like the travel advisors out there to know?
Thank you for the opportunity to share more about AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys. I’d like travel advisors to know that we are deeply committed to supporting them in every step of their journey with us. We understand that their success is our success, and that’s why we continually invest in providing the best tools, resources, and training. Whether it’s through our TTC Travel Agent Portal, our dedicated support teams or the enriching experiences we create for travelers, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for advisors to offer their clients unforgettable journeys. We are here to help them grow their business and provide their clients with exceptional travel experiences across Australia and New Zealand.
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