The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) hosted its latest Leaders Who Lunch event last week at Crystalbrook Vincent in Brisbane, where a group of luxury travel leaders gathered for an intimate rooftop dining experience with Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX.

Held in the property’s private rooftop dining space, chosen for its strong alignment with HX’s sustainability-led ethos, the event spotlighted responsible luxury, purposeful exploration, and the evolving mindset of the modern traveller. Guests enjoyed a locally inspired, sustainably sourced menu, echoing both brands’ commitment to conscious practices and regeneration.

Rainer, whose career includes serving as Group CEO of Sandals Resorts and senior leadership roles at Sheraton, Hyatt and Coach, shared deeply personal reflections on how his lifelong spirit of curiosity and exploration continues to shape HX’s direction.

Speaking on the need to awaken the emotional side of travel, Rainer said, “The world moves fast, and people are constantly challenged by time pressures and the cost of living. But there is a distinct audience who remains curious, willing to learn, and eager to discover. These travellers don’t want to simply sit in a luxurious cabin and watch the world go by, they want to be part of the adventure. That’s our core market.”

Nikki Glading, General Manager of the Luxury Travel Collection, said, “HX’s combination of education and exploration is creating extraordinary experiences for travellers.

For our members, that translates into the opportunity to design journeys that go beyond luxury, fostering purpose-driven exploration where every voyage becomes a chance to learn, to inspire, and to make a meaningful difference.”

“Being able to see firsthand how this ethos is both inspired and led from the top is what our Leaders Who Lunch series is all about, offering our members rare access to connect with the visionary leaders shaping the future of luxury travel.”

Rainer shared with the LTC members, his own thoughts that the next frontier for experiential expedition travel extends far beyond Antarctica, noting rising demand for journeys to Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard and the legendary Northwest Passage. These remote itineraries reflect HX’s commitment to exploration to regions that were enriched by science, education, and sustainability, which he emphasised is “far broader than emissions alone.”

It is no coincidence then, that under Rainer’s leadership, HX has expanded its onboard Science & Education program, supporting more than 80 researchers across 20 projects in Antarctica alone, including expanding their UTAS programs, and inviting guests to participate in citizen-science initiatives that deepen their connection to the natural world.

Lead image: Lisa Wright, LTC; Rindala Jensen, Travel Associates; Amber Wilson, HX; Gebhard Rainer, HX; Nikki Glading, LTC; Adrian Clarke, LTC and Shannon Fogarty, LTC.

Other photos from the HX Leaders Who Lunch event are below: