by FilmInk Staff
The youth travel pioneer unveils its biggest transformation in more than 64 years, introducing more ways to travel, a reimagined digital experience and an original micro-drama series, ‘On Contiki’ – by Australian director, Gracie Otto.
Contiki has unveiled GO WANDER, the biggest transformation in its more than 64-year history and the opening of a bold new chapter for the youth travel pioneer. With announcements spanning an expanded product offering, an overhauled digital experience, a new brand identity and a new appealing pricing structure, GO WANDER is the first stage in a multi-year transformation focused on a single-minded purpose – getting more young people exploring the world.
So why now? Young Aussies are hungry for diversified and unique travel experiences that can be shared. International travel appetite is only growing; Australians aged 18–34 took an average of 3.9 international trips over the past five years[1], with 72% of young Australians likely to consider a group trip for part of their next international trip, and more than six in 10 preferring a small group of 15 people or fewer[2].
Toni Ambler, Managing Director of The Travel Corporation Oceania, & Chief Customer Officer, Contiki said “GO WANDER is a reinvention of Contiki – built on the same pioneering spirit that has driven us from the beginning, but reimagined for a new generation of young travellers.”
“With 76 new or reimagined trips, eight new travel worlds built around personal interests, and more ways to travel, we’re giving young people the freedom and choice to explore the world on their own terms.” Ambler continued.
“That spirit of discovery comes to life in our new digital experience, designed around how young travellers find inspiration, follow their curiosity and turn their interests into their next adventure.”
To launch, Contiki premieres On Contiki, directed by homegrown talent Gracie Otto. The vertical micro-drama series, set in Costa Rica, follows four young travellers as they experience new adventures and the trials of newfound friendships. With the global microdrama market forecast to generate more than A$20 billion in revenue in 2026[3], short-form scripted content is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment formats. On Contiki is among the first Australian micro-drama series to debut with an AACTA Award-winning director attached, bringing premium creative credentials to an emerging format increasingly embraced by audiences worldwide.
With a stacked resume including Heartbreak High and the Artful Dodger, ‘On Contiki’ is Otto’s vertical debut “With ‘On Contiki’, we wanted to create something that captures the essence of what Contiki has always stood for. It’s about more than discovering the world. It’s about discovering who you are through the experiences, connections and moments that travel creates.”
“This was also my first venture into a vertical storytelling format. The rise of social-first entertainment and micro dramas shows that powerful stories can be told in many ways. As a director, it was an exciting opportunity to explore a new creative format while staying true to authentic, character-driven storytelling,” Otto said.
Contiki launches eight new Travel Worlds, inviting guests to ‘Wander Your Way’
At the heart of the transformation announcements is a new portfolio architecture that will ultimately span eight distinct Travel Worlds – giving travellers clearer, more inspiring ways to find experiences that match how they want to travel.
The expanded proposition will include 76 new trips by the end of the year, alongside greater variety across destinations, trip formats, group experiences, and price points.
| TRAVEL WORLD | DETAILS |
| Contiki Local | Contiki Local invites guests to travel like a local with small-group, immersive tours. Here, the must-sees are optional, giving you time and space to really explore. This is about the little trattorias, the nonnas, the gyros, and the lemon trees on the Cinque Terre. |
| Contiki Originals | Contiki Originals are the iconic trips that made Contiki famous. The original adventures through Europe from the original adventure company born in 1962. They are just as popular and relevant now as they’ve ever been. |
| Contiki Highlights | Contiki Highlights is all about seeing the best of the best. We’ve hand-picked the most iconic experiences in our collection to make sure you get all killer, no filler. Highlights are full of the unmissable greatest hits. It’s about seeing what matters, not ticking off a list. |
| Contiki Lite | Contiki Lite is light on price and heavy on experience. Contiki believes you shouldn’t need to be rich to explore the world. So these stripped-back trips are made affordable for smart travellers. Core memories at a core price. |
| Contiki Outdoors | Contiki Outdoors traverses the most adventurous parts of the world. For those with a lifestyle built on action, Outdoors trips invite you to see the world as an activity, not a spectator sport. |
| Contiki Islands | Contiki Islands is for when you want to soak up the salt, sea and sun on the world’s most beautiful islands – from Greece to Indonesia & the Maldives, and more… |
| Contiki Festivals | Contiki Festivals will give you exclusive access and experiences at some of the world’s leading music and culture festivals. |
| Contiki Luxe | Contiki Luxe is for those that appreciate the finer things in life. Luxe invites travellers to level up with a rare collection of signature luxury holiday experiences |
GO WANDER is live from today, travellers can explore the new Contiki here.
[1] Source: Australians aged 18–34 took an average of 3.9 international trips over the past five years. Contiki Market Exploration, research conducted by The Lab for Contiki. Online survey of Australians aged 18–34 who had travelled in the past two years or planned to in the next two, and were open to group travel, 22–31 May 2026 (Australia n=1,001).
[2] Source: 72% of Australians aged 18–34 would consider an organised group trip for part of their next international trip, and 63% would prefer a small or very small group of 15 people or fewer. Contiki Market Exploration, research conducted by The Lab for Contiki. Online survey of Australians aged 18–34 who had travelled in the past two years or planned to in the next two, and were open to group travel, 22–31 May 2026 (n=1,001)
[3] Source: Omdia, 2026. Global microdrama market forecast to generate US$14 billion in revenue in 2026 (approximately A$21.5 billion based on October 2026 exchange rates). Reported in Omdia: Microdramas overtake streamers on mobile engagement.
