Down Under Endeavours
Down Under Endeavours is a Chicago-based boutique luxury travel agency, founded in 1998, that designs bespoke itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Africa for affluent individual travelers, earning revenue through planning fees and supplier commissions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Down Under Endeavours does
Down Under Endeavours is a Chicago-based boutique luxury travel agency founded in 1998 by Australian-born entrepreneur Corinne Goodman, specializing in bespoke itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Africa. The firm operates as a wholesale tour operator, contracting directly with on-the-ground travel partners to secure preferred rates and inventory across the South Pacific and increasingly the African continent, and serves individual high-net-worth U.S. travelers with a $12,000 minimum per land arrangement. Service delivery is built around a small team of destination specialists who provide personalized itinerary planning, supplier coordination, and on-trip support rather than any technology-mediated booking flow. The agency is privately held by its founder with no venture capital or private equity involvement, and has been consecutively named to the Travel + Leisure A-List from 2022 through 2026.
The business model combines two revenue streams: (1) a planning fee charged to clients for itinerary design, and (2) commissions earned from contracted suppliers on bookings. Pricing is anchored at the $12,000 minimum threshold for land arrangements, which screens for affluent clientele and supports the firm's advisor-intensive service model. The firm holds ASTA and IATA accreditations, enabling ticketing authority and consumer-protection credibility. In 2018 it acquired or merged with Australia 2000 Travel, consolidating supplier relationships in its core market, and in 2021 it joined the Serendipians Consortium — a curated network of luxury travel agencies — and launched a dedicated Africa-focused sister property (africaendeavours.com), diversifying the product surface beyond the original South Pacific focus while reusing the parent brand's reputation.
Down Under Endeavours firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Down Under Endeavours
- Legal name
- Down Under Endeavours, Inc
- Website
- https://downunderendeavours.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Down Under Endeavours is a Chicago-based boutique luxury travel agency, founded in 1998, that designs bespoke itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Africa for affluent individual travelers, earning revenue through planning fees and supplier commissions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Down Under Endeavours industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Travel Agency Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (561520), Travel Agencies (561510)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Adventure & Expedition Custom Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAC), Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies (THAKAFAL), Adventure & Expedition Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAD)
Keywords
Where Down Under Endeavours is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Down Under Endeavours business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Travel Planning and Booking Services: The company charges a one-time planning fee for their travel design services, which covers the travel designer's time in handcrafting and perfecting itineraries. They also earn commissions from travel partners (hotels, tours, airlines) as a wholesale tour operator. Full trip balance is due 8 weeks prior to departure.
- Commissions from Travel Partners: As a wholesale tour operator, Down Under Endeavours receives special contracted rates from travel partners in the South Pacific. They combine these rates with their service fee to create customized travel packages. Minimum booking requirement of $12,000 total for land arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Australia: $1,000 per person per day (4-star and up) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | New Zealand: ~$1,000 per person per day |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fiji: $750 per person per day |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tahiti: 4.5-star and up with overwater bungalow |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cook Islands: $500 per person per day minimum (3.5-star and up) |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | 2-week handcrafted journey at 4-star level or above |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Down Under Endeavours product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Down Under Endeavours is a boutique luxury travel agency that designs and books handcrafted, customized trips to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands, and Africa. The company pairs clients with dedicated travel designers who conduct discovery calls, handcraft itineraries, and provide 24/7 in-country support. As a wholesale tour operator, they bundle contracted partner rates (hotels, tours, transfers, airlines) with a planning fee into fully personalized travel packages.
Product overview
Down Under Endeavours operates as a boutique luxury travel agency offering a custom itinerary design service backed by a web platform displaying sample packages and destination information. The core product is personalized handcrafted travel planning for South Pacific destinations, supported by an online booking inquiry system. The product portfolio includes single-country packages (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands), multi-country combination packages, and twelve distinct experience categories (Highlights, Islands/Beaches/Reefs, Outdoor Adventure, Romantic Getaways, Wildlife & Wilderness, Family Travel, Food & Wine, Golf, Heritage & Culture, Sports & Events, Cities, Spa & Relaxation). Additional offerings include private/exclusive experiences, a downloadable travel brochure, and a team-authored travel blog. The company functions as a service-based travel planning business rather than a software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Luxury Itinerary Design Personalized handcrafted travel itineraries tailored to individual traveler preferences, interests, timeframe, and budget for South Pacific destinations, delivered by dedicated travel designers with discovery calls, customized proposals, and 24/7 in-country support.
- Single-Country Travel Packages Curated travel packages to individual South Pacific destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, and Cook Islands, featuring accommodations, tours, and transfers at 4-star level or above.
- Multi-Country Vacation Packages Combined travel packages visiting multiple South Pacific countries in one journey, including Australia & New Zealand, Australia & Fiji, Australia, New Zealand & Fiji, Australia & Cook Islands, and other regional combinations.
- Exclusively Yours - Private Experiences Exclusive private experiences including yacht charters, private helicopter tours, remote lodge stays, and secluded island access for discerning luxury travelers.
- Luxury Golf Tours Luxury golf vacations to top-rated courses in Australia and New Zealand including Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, and Kauri Cliffs, combined with sightseeing and transfers.
- Wildlife & Wilderness Experiences Wildlife encounters and wilderness experiences including koala cuddling, kangaroo feeding, Great Barrier Reef diving, and kiwi bird watching with conservation-focused partners.
- Sports and Events Travel Packages
Quantifiable outcome
- 26+ years of experience serving travelers to the South Pacific
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Down Under Endeavours
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Down Under Endeavours technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Down Under Endeavours partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Australia 2000 TravelcoreAustralia 2000 Travel joined the Down Under Endeavours family in 2018, expanding their network of travel partners and expertise in Australian travel.
- Tourism AustraliacoreOfficial recognition as Australia and New Zealand Travel Experts by Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand. Partners include tourism boards for destination promotion and access.
- Tourism New ZealandcoreOfficial recognition as Australia and New Zealand Travel Experts by Tourism New Zealand. Partners include national tourism boards for destination promotion and insider access.
- The Clancy Foundation (Koala Clancy Foundation)minorPartnership supporting wild koala conservation. 1500 trees planted through this foundation. Company supports conservation projects that travelers can participate in.
- Eco-Certified Tour OperatorscoreCompany only selects eco-certified companies for snorkeling or diving excursions on the Great Barrier Reef, working with partners committed to environmental sustainability.
- The Hoyt FoundationminorLocal philanthropy partner where owner Corinne Goodman holds a board seat. Organization based in Los Angeles, California.
- MVAT FoundationminorLocal philanthropy partner where owner Corinne Goodman holds a board seat. Organization based in Los Angeles, California.
- American Cancer SocietyminorCompany is a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society through staff donations and volunteer efforts.
- Northwestern Brain Tumor InstituteminorCompany is a proud supporter of the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute through staff donations and volunteer efforts.
- Leukemia and Lymphoma SocietyminorCompany is a proud supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through staff donations and volunteer efforts.
- Rottnest Island ConservationminorPartnership with Rottnest Island to support conservation activities for wildlife and marine life. Visitor fees contribute to conservation efforts.
- Kangaroo Island Partners (Exceptional Kangaroo Island)minorPartnership with sustainable eco-tourism operators on Kangaroo Island to view kangaroos in their natural habitat while supporting conservation.
- Echidna Walkabout Wildlife ToursminorWildlife tour partner offering ethical koala viewing experiences in Victoria, Australia. Company supports wild koala conservation through this partnership.
- Luxury Lodges of AustraliacorePartnership with Luxury Lodges of Australia providing exclusive access to premium lodge properties. Benefits include spa credits, room upgrades, early check-ins, and exclusive access at partner properties.
- Serendipians ConsortiumcoreJoined Serendipians Consortium in 2021 - a consortium of luxury travel specialists focused on meaningful travel experiences.
- QuickSilver GroupcoreFeatured partner for Great Barrier Reef experiences, offering exclusive reef and island excursions in the Whitsundays region.
- Rosie HolidaysminorPartnership with Rosie Holidays in Fiji for iTaukei cultural experiences and local knowledge sharing.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Down Under Endeavours competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kensington Tours: Custom luxury tour operator offering private guides, handcrafted itineraries, and a similar commission-and-fee revenue model. Comparable bespoke-service positioning in the high-end long-haul travel market.
- Audley Travel: Boutique luxury tour operator using a country-specialist model with handcrafted, expert-led itineraries for discerning travelers. Closely mirrors Down Under Endeavours' sales-led, human-expert-driven approach to high-end custom travel.
- Goway Travel: North-America-based wholesale tour operator specializing in customized multi-country itineraries across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the South Pacific. Direct competitor on luxury Down Under destination packages.
- AndBeyond: Luxury travel company built around high-end safari and conservation-focused itineraries across Africa and beyond. Comparable high-touch, expert-led model with strong destination depth and supplier relationships.
- TCS World Travel: Boutique luxury custom- journey specialist (now parent of Swain Destinations) operating private, expert-led itineraries with a similar advisory model. Comparable premium positioning and end-to-end trip design ethos.
- Swain Destinations: U.S.-based custom tour operator specializing in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Directly competes for the same affluent North American customer segment with similar multi-country itineraries.
Broad incumbents
- Abercrombie & Kent: Pioneer of luxury escorted and custom travel with global destination coverage including Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. A much larger established incumbent with overlapping luxury concierge model but broader portfolio reach.
- Travel Leaders Corporate: Large U.S. travel agency network offering custom luxury leisure and corporate travel. Comparable travel-designer service for affluent travelers but at much broader scale and portfolio depth.
Emerging players
- Wilderness Safaris: Luxury safari operator with a conservation-led ethos and strong supplier-owned accommodation network. Overlaps with Down Under Endeavours' wildlife/wilderness and Africa extension offerings.
- Inspiring Vacations: Australian-origin tour operator with a growing U.S. presence, offering curated Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji packages. Competes on similar destination set, though more mid-market positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Down Under Endeavours social profiles
Digital presenceDown Under Endeavours compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Down Under Endeavours financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Down Under Endeavours leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Down Under Endeavours funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Down Under Endeavours M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Down Under Endeavours
What does Down Under Endeavours do?
Down Under Endeavours is a boutique luxury travel agency that designs and books handcrafted, customized trips to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands, and Africa. The company pairs clients with dedicated travel designers who conduct discovery calls, handcraft itineraries, and provide 24/7 in-country support. As a wholesale tour operator, they bundle contracted partner rates (hotels, tours, transfers, airlines) with a planning fee into fully personalized travel packages.
Is Down Under Endeavours a public or private company?
Down Under Endeavours is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Down Under Endeavours founded?
Down Under Endeavours was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Down Under Endeavours based?
Down Under Endeavours is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Down Under Endeavours make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Travel Planning and Booking Services are the primary driver. The others are commissions from Travel Partners.
Who are Down Under Endeavours's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kensington Tours, Audley Travel, Goway Travel, AndBeyond, TCS World Travel and Swain Destinations. Broad incumbents are Abercrombie & Kent and Travel Leaders Corporate. Emerging players are Wilderness Safaris and Inspiring Vacations.
Does Down Under Endeavours have an API?
No public API is recorded for Down Under Endeavours.
What industry is Down Under Endeavours in?
Down Under Endeavours's product category is Luxury Travel Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKAFAB, Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies, with a secondary code of THAKAOAC, Adventure & Expedition Custom Itinerary Planning. Its NAICS code is 561520 and its SIC code is 7990.