Phil Hoffmann Travel

What Phil Hoffmann Travel does

Phil Hoffmann Travel is a privately held South Australian travel agency founded in 1990 and operated as PHT SA Pty Ltd (ABN 33 668 158 870). The company sells leisure and corporate travel — including flights, cruises, rail packages, escorted and hosted journeys, and accommodation — through a hybrid of eight physical retail branches across the Adelaide metropolitan area and surrounds (Glenelg headquarters plus Gawler, Hyde Park, Modbury, Norwood, Semaphore, Stirling, and Victor Harbor), phone-based consultation, a website-based booking and enquiry platform, and a dedicated corporate travel division. Customers include individual leisure travelers, family and special-occasion travelers, solo travelers (supported by a dedicated community), and corporate accounts requiring 24/7 duty-of-care and account management.

The business operates as an agent on behalf of third-party travel suppliers (airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, hotel wholesalers) and earns commissions on bookings arranged through its branches and digital channels. It supplements supplier commissions with a structured schedule of service fees, including reservation deposits (AUD 200 domestic / AUD 400 international per person), per-cabin cruise booking fees (AUD 75), visa lodgement and handling (AUD 110), special assistance fees (AUD 75), documentation search and insurance document fees (AUD 110), itinerary planning deposits (AUD 100), 24/7 emergency assistance call fees (from AUD 66 per 15 minutes), and gift registry fees (2%). Card surcharges range from 1.3% (Visa/Mastercard) to 1.85% (American Express), with overseas transactions up to 3%. Product extensions include PHT Exclusives, the Platinum Cruise Club loyalty programme, a Solo Traveller Community, online booking tools, and mobile technology for corporate accounts.

The technology stack is non-proprietary: the company relies on third-party online booking tools and standard travel-industry booking systems inherited through its minority associate membership in the Helloworld travel network. PHT holds ATAS (Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme) accreditation and ATIA affiliation, reinforcing compliance with Australian consumer law and the ATAS Code of Conduct. The company maintains partnerships with a broad roster of cruise lines (AmaWaterways, APT, Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Emerald, Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Holland America, Silversea, Princess, Viking, MSC, Ponant, Royal Caribbean, Tauck, Scenic, Coral Expeditions), tour operators (Back-Roads Touring, Bunnik, Trafalgar, Collette), and major airlines (Qantas, Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia). Marketing spans the company website, an email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, blog content, print, television, radio/podcast, and travel expos.

Name

Phil Hoffmann Travel

Legal name

PHT SA Pty Ltd

Website

https://pht.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

South Australian travel agency, founded 1990, selling leisure and corporate travel—flights, cruises, rail packages, escorted tours, and accommodation—via eight retail branches in Adelaide and surrounds, a digital booking platform, and dedicated corporate account management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510), Travel Agencies (56151)

akta.pro primary industry

Cruise Retail Travel Agencies (THAKABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supplier Sourcing, Negotiation & Contract Management (THAKAMAG), Cruise Travel Agencies & Specialist Cruise Consultants (THAEAFAB), Cruise Planning & Booking (HSACAKAE)

Keywords

• Travel agency services
• Cruise booking services
• Corporate travel management
• Package holiday booking
• Rail journey packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Travel Agency Commissions: Phil Hoffmann Travel acts as an agent on behalf of third-party suppliers including airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and wholesalers. The company earns commissions from these suppliers for bookings arranged on their behalf.
2. Service Fees: The company charges various service fees including booking fees, visa processing fees, special assistance fees, documentation fees, and credit card surcharges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Phil Hoffmann Travel is a South Australian travel agency that books leisure holidays, cruises, rail packages, flights, and accommodation for individual travelers, alongside dedicated corporate travel management services for business clients. The company arranges bookings with third-party suppliers including airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and wholesalers, earning commissions on bookings facilitated through its online portal, in-branch consultants, and phone sales channel. It also operates loyalty programs (Platinum Cruise Club), special-occasion gift registry services, and escorted hosted journeys led by PHT experts.

Product overview

Phil Hoffmann Travel operates as a SA family-owned travel agency (since 1990) offering a multi-channel travel booking platform combining online self-service tools with in-branch consultant services. The core offering includes a comprehensive booking platform for flights, cruises, package holidays, rail journeys, and accommodation. The product portfolio includes Corporate Travel Services (with 24/7 support, online booking tools, and mobile technology), PHT Exclusives (exclusive deals and specials), Platinum Cruise Club (loyalty program), Solo Traveller Community, Gift Registry Services, and PHT Escorted & Hosted Journeys. The company serves both leisure and corporate markets across South Australia through multiple branch locations, with accreditation through ATAS and association with Helloworld.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Holidays (Package Holidays) Curated travel packages for individual travelers and families, including all-inclusive holidays, family holidays, guided tours, luxury travel, and package deals combining flights, accommodation, and experiences.
• Cruise Services Comprehensive cruise booking services featuring ocean cruises, river cruises, expedition cruising, small ship cruising, and luxury yacht experiences, with access to multiple cruise line partners including AmaWaterways, APT, Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Viking, and others.
• Rail Packages Rail holiday packages covering Australian journeys such as The Ghan as well as international rail experiences, packaged with accommodation and excursion inclusions.
• Corporate Travel Services Business travel management solutions for corporate clients, providing 24/7 help desk, duty of care, personalized account management, online booking tools, mobile technology, technical support, and specialized services for groups, school groups, and conference travel.
• PHT Escorted & Hosted Journeys Specially curated and hosted group travel experiences led by Phil Hoffmann Travel experts, combining guided tours with exclusive access and personalized group experiences.
• Platinum Cruise Club Loyalty program for repeat cruise customers, providing exclusive benefits, member-only deals, and priority access to cruise packages and offers.
• Solo Traveller Community Specialized community for solo travelers offering dedicated tour packages, no-supplement deals, and group travel experiences designed for people traveling alone.
• Honeymoon & Gift Registry Services Honeymoon and special occasion gift registry services that allow friends and family to contribute financially toward travel experiences for couples and individuals marking life events.
• Travel Insurance Travel insurance products and advice to protect travellers against trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel disruptions.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adventure WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PHT partnered with Adventure World in 2024 to support Animals Asia charity and bear rescue efforts. PHT committed $20,000 to become the guardian of bear Twilight.
• Animals AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Charity organization working to end bear bile farming cruelty in Asia. PHT supports bear rescue and rehabilitation through donations and client participation.
• HelloworldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhil Hoffmann Travel is a minority owned associate member of Helloworld, a major travel agency network providing access to global travel supplier relationships and booking systems.
• ATAS (Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme)coreOthersATIA-operated accreditation scheme for travel agents ensuring compliance with industry standards, consumer protection, and professional conduct.
• ATIA (Australian Travel Industry Association)coreOthersIndustry body for travel agents providing complaints escalation process, code of conduct, and industry representation.
• AFTA (Australian Federation of Travel Agents)minorOthersHistorical industry body representing travel agents, now integrated with ATIA.
• Cruise CominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for cruise distribution and booking services.
• Cruise Lines (Multiple)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of cruise line partnerships including AmaWaterways, APT, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Emerald Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, Holland America, Silversea, Princess, Viking, MSC, Ponant, Royal Caribbean, Tauck, Scenic, and Coral Expeditions.
• Tour OperatorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with tour operators including Back-Roads Touring, Bunnik Tours, Trafalgar, Collette, and other guided tour providers.
• AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with multiple airlines including Qantas, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia, and others for flight bookings.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Helloworld Travel: Australia's largest retail travel agency network; PHT is a minority-owned associate member of Helloworld. Helloworld operates a comparable multi-branch retail and corporate travel model, making it the closest direct comparable for store footprint, supplier relationships, and leisure/cruise mix.
• Corporate Travel Management (CTM): ASX-listed specialist in corporate travel management with a strong Australian base and global reach. Direct competitor to PHT's Corporate Travel division for SA-based enterprise clients needing 24/7 support, duty of care, and policy-compliant booking.
• TravelManagers Australia: Home-based travel agent network and Helloworld-affiliated retail model in Australia. Competes with PHT for the same leisure traveller, using a personal-travel-manager model (lower fixed cost base) versus PHT's physical branch footprint.
• Travellers Choice: Australian retail travel agency cooperative providing marketing, supplier, and back-office support to independent member agencies. PHT's Helloworld associate membership and retail branch model are structurally similar to Travellers Choice agency members.

Broad incumbents

• Flight Centre Travel Group: Largest publicly listed Australian travel retailer (ASX: FLT) operating corporate (FCM), leisure, and wholesale brands. As a much larger incumbent with diversified global presence, it is the principal broad incumbent against which PHT's corporate and leisure offerings compete.
• Webjet Limited: ASX-listed online travel agency (OTA) with B2C (Webjet) and B2B (WebBeds) divisions. Represents the digital/OTA competitive vector that PHT's branch-and-consultant model must defend against for online-led leisure bookings.

Emerging players

• TripADeal: Australian direct-to-consumer package holiday and cruise deal specialist competing aggressively on price and 'exclusive' offers. Direct competitor to PHT Exclusives, especially for cruise and package holiday customers shopping online.

Regional players

• House of Travel: New Zealand's largest retail travel agency network with similar multi-branch, multi-supplier retail model. Comparable on store economics and cruise/leisure mix, but operates primarily across the Tasman and does not directly contest SA customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PhilHoffmannTravel
• Facebookfacebook.com/PhilHoffmannTravel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phil-hoffmann-travel
• Instagraminstagram.com/philhoffmanntravel
• Xx.com/PhilHoffmannTvl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phil Hoffmann Travel