Turtle Down Under
Turtle Down Under is a privately-held B2B inbound tour operator based in South Melbourne, Australia, selling pre-designed Australian and New Zealand tour packages to 10,000+ travel agents across South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent via its proprietary SHELL instant-quoting platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Turtle Down Under does
Turtle Down Under is a privately-held inbound tour operator (ITO) headquartered in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, founded in 2014. The company operates a B2B2C distribution model, selling pre-designed Australian and New Zealand tour packages exclusively through a network of more than 10,000 travel agents and tour operators across South-East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia) and the Indian subcontinent, with India as the primary source market. Its core offerings include Fixed FIT (Free Independent Traveller) packages, group travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), and exclusive hotel deals, covering destinations such as Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, and Whitsundays. Pricing is per-person, AUD-denominated, inclusive of GST, with NETT non-commissionable terms. The company is led by Director Jitin Goyal and supported by a team of approximately 33 employees across its Melbourne head office and India regional office.
The company's primary technological differentiator is its proprietary SHELL platform, which enables travel agents to receive tour quotations in approximately 60 seconds, replacing the traditional 48-72 hour industry turnaround. SHELL is supported by an online agent dashboard allowing package customisation, access to exclusive deals, and booking management. Distribution is augmented through active participation in trade events including SATTE, PTAA Travel Tour Expo, Australian Tourism Exchange, and Worldmaster International Travel Mart, alongside formal partnerships with Tourism Australia (via the AMI programme) and ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand for outbound expansion.
Revenue mechanics rely on one-time per-booking transactions: agents pay for fixed-price FIT packages, group and MICE arrangements, and bundled add-ons at contracted rates. Turtle Down Under supplements package margins with exclusive negotiated hotel inventory and value-added supplier partnerships (Chadstone, Merlin Entertainments, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Qantas, Holiday Inn). The business has received industry recognition including Best Inbound Operator Australia at India Travel Awards West & South 2024 and North 2023, Leading DMC AU-NZ (TMCEA 2024), and partner appreciation awards from hotel and attraction suppliers.
Turtle Down Under firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Turtle Down Under
- Legal name
- Turtle Down Under
- Website
- https://turtledownunder.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Turtle Down Under is a privately-held B2B inbound tour operator based in South Melbourne, Australia, selling pre-designed Australian and New Zealand tour packages to 10,000+ travel agents across South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent via its proprietary SHELL instant-quoting platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Turtle Down Under industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Inbound Tour Operator Services
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (56152), Tour Operators (561520)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adventure & Outdoor Local Operators (Trekking/Safari/Diving) (THAKAEAF)
Keywords
Where Turtle Down Under is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Turtle Down Under business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fixed FIT Package Sales: Sale of pre-designed Fixed FIT (Free Independent Traveller) tour packages covering Australian destinations. Packages include accommodation, tours, transfers, and airport meet-and-greet services, sold to travel agents who resell to end consumers.
- Group Travel & MICE Packages: Customised group travel, series, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) packages sold to group coordinators and corporate clients, facilitated through dedicated sales teams in key markets.
- Exclusive Hotel Deals: Curated hotel accommodation inventory sold to travel agents and tour operators at exclusive negotiated rates.
- Specials and Add-ons: Value-added add-ons and special offers bundled with packages, including free tours, duty-free coupons, complimentary admissions, and exclusive retail benefits from partner suppliers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Incredible Australia - Adult pricing (per person, AUD) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Best of Australia - Adult pricing (per person, AUD) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Whitsundays & Brisbane Delight - Adult pricing (per person, AUD) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Turtle Down Under product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Turtle Down Under is a B2B inbound tour operator that sells pre-designed Fixed FIT packages, group travel itineraries, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) services, and exclusive hotel deals to registered travel agents and tour operators across South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, who in turn resell these packages to end consumers travelling to Australia and New Zealand. The offering is supported by SHELL, a proprietary instant quoting technology that delivers quotations to travel agents in approximately 60 seconds.
Product overview
Turtle Down Under operates as a unified B2B inbound tour operator platform combining ready-made tour packages, instant quotation technology, and concierge support services. Its core portfolio consists of Group Travel Packages and Fixed FIT Packages sold to travel agents, backed by a proprietary SHELL instant quote system that enables sub-60-second quotation turnaround. The offering is supplemented by MICE services, TDU Specials & Add-ons (exclusive promotional deals from partner suppliers), Exclusive Hotel Deals, 24/7 Concierge Support, Meet & Greet Services, and Series Travel arrangements. All services are oriented toward B2B partners—over 10,000 travel agents across South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent—rather than direct consumer sales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Group Travel Packages Pre-designed tour itineraries for group travellers covering Australian destinations including Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Whitsundays, offered at fixed per-person pricing based on sharing arrangements. Sold to travel agents and tour operators who resell to end consumers, with demonstrated capacity for groups of up to 800 passengers on multi-day tours.
- Fixed FIT Packages Fixed itinerary packages for Free Independent Travellers (FIT) available year-round regardless of season, providing pre-packaged Australian travel experiences with fixed pricing and bundled inclusions such as accommodation, tours, transfers, and airport meet-and-greet services. Sold to travel agents for resale to retail consumers.
- MICE Services Specialised services for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), handling corporate group travel and event management to Australia including accommodation blocks, ground handling, tours, and on-site coordination. Sold to corporate and association buyers, with a delivered example being the CREDAI Real Estate Leaders Conference in Sydney in September 2024.
- Series Travel Recurring or series-based group travel arrangements for repeat clients or scheduled travel programs to Australia, providing consistent itinerary and pricing frameworks for ongoing group series. Sold to travel agents and group organisers.
- Exclusive Hotel Deals Pre-negotiated preferential hotel rates and exclusive inventory from partnered hotels across Australia, providing fixed pricing for travel agents and tour operators regardless of seasonal availability, and including value-added benefits such as children dining free at partner properties like Holiday Inn Darling Harbour.
- Meet & Greet Services Personalised meet-and-greet service delivered at the aircraft door on arrival and at the departure lounge for travellers, providing a hosted welcome experience for guests booked through Turtle Down Under partner travel agents.
- TDU Specials and Add-ons Value-added promotional add-ons bundled with packages including free tours (such as a free Sydney Night Tour with two full-day tours), discounted attraction tickets, and exclusive partner benefits from suppliers including Chadstone Visitor Lounge access, Tourist Shopping Passport discounts at 100+ stores, complimentary hot air balloon jet boat rides, and theme park admission bundles. Sold as supplementary value to packages booked by travel agents.
- 24/7 Concierge Support Continuous customer support available around the clock to assist travellers throughout their journey in Australia, provided as part of Turtle Down Under's overall service for travel agents and their end-consumer guests.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced quotation turnaround time from 48-72 hours to 60 seconds
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Turtle Down Under
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Turtle Down Under technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Turtle Down Under partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Chadstone - The Fashion CapitalcoreStrategic partnership with Chadstone (Southern Hemisphere's largest shopping centre) to offer Turtle Down Under guests exclusive benefits including full access to the Chadstone Visitor Lounge, complimentary Chadstone tote bag, personalised welcome messages on lounge screens, and Tourist Shopping Passport with discounts at 100+ stores. The partnership enhances the Melbourne experience for Turtle Down Under's travel agent clients.
- QantasminorQantas, Australia's flagship airline, was featured at Turtle Down Under's networking events in India, showcasing travel innovations and seamless connections to Australian destinations. Qantas provides airline services that complement Turtle Down Under's tour packages.
- Village Roadshow Theme ParksminorFeatured at Turtle Down Under's India networking events (Hyderabad and Chennai, 2023), Village Roadshow Theme Parks (including Movie World and Sea World on the Gold Coast) provides attraction tickets included in Turtle Down Under's tour packages.
- Merlin GroupminorMerlin Entertainments (operator of attractions including Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Sydney, and Taronga Zoo) provides attraction admissions bundled into Turtle Down Under's Merlin Four Attraction Pass packages.
- Gold Coast Tour AllianceminorGold Coast Tour Alliance was featured at Turtle Down Under's India networking events, bringing together the region's finest tour and travel experiences for inclusion in Turtle Down Under's Gold Coast itineraries.
- Holiday Inn Darling HarbourminorPartnership with Holiday Inn Darling Harbour offering Turtle Down Under guests exclusive benefit: children dine for free during their stay at the hotel. The property is featured in Turtle Down Under's Sydney accommodation portfolio.
- Gold Coast Hot Air BalloonminorPartnership with Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon operator providing complimentary 30-minute Arro Jet Boat Ride with every hot air balloon booking made through Turtle Down Under, enhancing the Gold Coast adventure experience.
- Tourism AustraliacoreTourism Australia is a key strategic partner, with Turtle Down Under participating as a seller delegate at Australia's Marketplace India (AMI), one of 86 Australian tourism businesses showcasing services to 94 Indian travel agents. Tourism Australia promotes Australia as a destination, complementing Turtle Down Under's tour distribution.
- Tourism New ZealandcoreTourism New Zealand collaborates with Turtle Down Under on destination promotion. Turtle Down Under's Singapore and Malaysia expedition included meetings with Tourism New Zealand representatives, and Tourism New Zealand attended Turtle Down Under's Singapore networking dinner.
- ChristchurchNZminorChristchurchNZ, represented by Destination & Experience Manager Patrick O'Sullivan, partnered with Turtle Down Under on a webinar (Christchurch: Alpine Adventures & Urban Charm) to showcase Christchurch as a destination and develop itinerary ideas for travel agents.
- Christchurch Adventure ParkminorChristchurch Adventure Park was featured in a Turtle Down Under webinar, with Head of Experiences Dan Burt showcasing the park's signature adventure offerings. The park represents New Zealand experiences available through Turtle Down Under.
- Willowbank Tourism GroupminorWillowbank Tourism Group (wildlife conservation experience) participated in a Turtle Down Under webinar, with Trade Partnerships Manager Sarah Christie showcasing native species, conservation initiatives, and memorable wildlife encounters available through Turtle Down Under's New Zealand itineraries.
- Over 10,000 Travel Agents (South-East Asia and Indian Subcontinent)coreExtensive B2B network of travel agents across South-East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia) and the Indian subcontinent who resell Turtle Down Under's Australia travel packages to end consumers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Turtle Down Under competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goway Travel: Goway Travel is a global DMC with deep Australia and South Pacific product, selling through travel agents in source markets including India and North America. Its B2B DMC model and geographic focus overlap directly with Turtle Down Under.
- Inspiring Journeys: Inspiring Journeys is an Australian tour operator offering premium guided and FIT packages, including India-source-market itineraries. It overlaps with Turtle Down Under on Australia product and inbound DMC positioning.
- Down Under Tours: Down Under Tours is an inbound tour operator for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, selling to international travel agents. It is a direct peer in the inbound DMC space.
- ATS Pacific: ATS Pacific is one of Australia's largest inbound tour operators and destination management companies, serving B2B travel agents across Asia-Pacific. It is the closest direct comp to Turtle Down Under in terms of business model, geography and channel focus.
- AOT Group (Australian Open Travel): AOT Group is an Australia-based inbound tour operator serving South and South-East Asian source markets with FIT and group packages. It is a direct comp to Turtle Down Under on the India–Australia corridor.
Broad incumbents
- Contiki: Contiki is a global youth-focused tour operator that sells Australia packages through travel agents and direct. It overlaps with Turtle Down Under on Australia inbound product, particularly for Indian and South-East Asian FIT and group segments.
- Intrepid Travel: Intrepid Travel is an Australian-listed adventure tour operator with global reach. While larger and more brand-led than Turtle Down Under, it competes in the same inbound Australia tour category for international travellers, including India-source FIT and small-group bookings.
- Trafalgar (The Travel Corporation): Trafalgar is a global guided-tour brand that offers Australia and New Zealand itineraries sold via travel agents worldwide. It is a broader incumbent competing for the same Australia-inbound agent channel as Turtle Down Under.
Emerging players
- TourRadar: TourRadar is a multi-destination tour marketplace that aggregates operators including Australia inbound tour operators and sells to global travel agents and consumers. It is an emerging distribution channel that competes with, and could enable, Turtle Down Under's B2B2C model.
- Swallowtail Travel: Swallowtail Travel is a smaller inbound DMC and tour operator specialising in Japan and Asia destinations. It shares the B2B2C tour-operator mechanics with Turtle Down Under but operates in a different destination mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Turtle Down Under social profiles
Digital presenceTurtle Down Under financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Turtle Down Under leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Turtle Down Under funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Turtle Down Under 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 Turtle Down Under
What does Turtle Down Under do?
Turtle Down Under is a B2B inbound tour operator that sells pre-designed Fixed FIT packages, group travel itineraries, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) services, and exclusive hotel deals to registered travel agents and tour operators across South-East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, who in turn resell these packages to end consumers travelling to Australia and New Zealand. The offering is supported by SHELL, a proprietary instant quoting technology that delivers quotations to travel agents in approximately 60 seconds.
Is Turtle Down Under a public or private company?
Turtle Down Under is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Turtle Down Under founded?
Turtle Down Under was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Turtle Down Under based?
Turtle Down Under is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Turtle Down Under make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Fixed FIT Package Sales are the primary driver. The others are group Travel & MICE Packages, exclusive Hotel Deals and specials and Add-ons.
Who are Turtle Down Under's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goway Travel, Inspiring Journeys, Down Under Tours, ATS Pacific and AOT Group (Australian Open Travel). Broad incumbents are Contiki, Intrepid Travel and Trafalgar (The Travel Corporation). Emerging players are TourRadar and Swallowtail Travel.
Does Turtle Down Under have an API?
No public API is recorded for Turtle Down Under.
What industry is Turtle Down Under in?
Turtle Down Under's product category is Inbound Tour Operator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKAEAF, Adventure & Outdoor Local Operators (Trekking/Safari/Diving). Its NAICS code is 56152 and its SIC code is 7900.