Our Story

Banora International Group (BIG) is Australia’s leading licensed and accredited Inbound Tour Operator providing visitors with a unique, authentic Australian experience.

With its head office located in Cairns, and supporting offices located along the Eastern coast of Australia, Banora International Group features several divisions catering to specific markets and products as the team continues to deliver on the company’s 25 year mission –to provide unique tourism and educational products that focus on customer satisfaction and individual growth.

Our reputation is unsurpassed in the youth and International education market with well-recognized study and academic programs created in conjunction with highly-reputable education institutions.

Programs can be academically focused around study and lectures within structured classes or students may experience a combination of many unique HANDS ON interactive activities OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

We create life changing experiences; we build life-long friendships; we achieve lifetime memories through combining culture, nature, wildlife, volunteering, history, language and learning into our programs. Our programs have always and continue to be “traveling with a purpose”.

Banora International was formed over 25 years ago as a division of a travel agency, creating unique touring options for International clients but quickly developed into the niche study tour market to meet demands in the industry, particularly Japan.

Today, the business boasts a database of over 2000 farmstay beds Australia-wide and technical visit farm programs nationwide, over 2000 host families in QLD with MOUs in universities, colleges and schools and a network of private and public schools that host over 150 study tour groups annually.

Groups range from 1 to 400 from Japan, Hong Kong, China, America and Europe and all programs are tailor-made to meet the needs of the individual clients.  We realised to survive in today’s tourism industry, we had to be willing to diversify and remain creative. With our team, we have formed formidable relationships with various tourism suppliers and businesses to offer unique and educational products that ensure students learn in and outside of the classroom.

We create life-changing programs that impact the lives of our clients, predominantly the youth market in a positive manner resulting in motivating them to study for their future, think outside the square and/or gain a desire to make our world a better place.

meet the team

Company Timeline

Since its inception in 1996, Banora International Group (BIG) has continued to grow and increase the products and services provided to clientele to meet the growing needs of the industry.

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Our Mission

To provide unique tourism and educational products that focus on customer satisfaction and individual growth

Core Business

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Why choose BIG?

Experience

  • Employees are skilled and internationally experienced staff who are able to relate to the needs of individuals and their agents
  • Proven success in managing large programs for individuals and groups of any size
  • BIG Team love discussing and planning new projects and have years of knowledge and experience to offer to agents/clients.

Safety & Security

  • BIG abides by all National Standards and Legislative requirements.
  • All host families are personally interviewed by our team members and undertake professional training.

BIG Listens

  • BIG listens, discusses, and advises. Sounds obvious but we listen to your needs, plans and objectives for your group. Each program is tailor-made to meet your needs.

Creative & Technical

  • Whether it’s a half day program, full day program or a program that is several weeks long, BIG like to keep everything under one roof to make it easier for our customers.
  • BIG offers the opportunity for students to do work or volunteer experience during their stay.
  • Innovative services and tailor-made programs designed to cater to clients’ needs.
  • Local knowledge and nationwide contacts.
  • BIG caters for all ages and nationalities.

Passionate

  • BIG thrive on the thrill of working on a great program with a fantastic client. We care about our clients and can often be found working out of hours to get everything ‘just right’!
  • BIG are constantly investigating new options and avenues to improve our product and we recommend them when they become available.
  • BIG love what we do, some might say a bit too much, bringing enthusiasm and commitment to every project we work on.

Put simply, if you want a company who cares about your experience in Australia, choose Banora International Group.

Our Commitment to the Future

Banora International Group (BIG) is committed to promoting and contributing to responsible sustainable tourism whilst raising awareness of environmental and cultural issues. BIG is committed to raising awareness of and promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .

Here are 5 ways BIG is acting to be part of the change for a better future:

We Deliver Educational Programs

Banora International Group is and internationally renowned edu-tourism operator providing ambitious, innovative and outcome focused tailor-made Academic Study Programs, with a Purpose (ASP) that adopt the United Nations SDGs within our itineraries. Our goal is for participants to gain a global understanding of sustainability with a focus on the future AND equip them with the knowledge and skills to implement changes as global ambassadors

We Give Back to Our Community

Our volunteer programs contribute in-kind and financially to charities and the local community. As a company we inject over 1 million dollars to the local community annually.  We support local economic growth by choosing to work with locally owned businesses and suppliers where possible to ensure that the money spent is circulated back into our community.

Organisations that we made financial donations to in 2019 include Couch, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, the Farmers Appeal and Multiple Sclerosis Australia.

We Recycle, Reduce and Reuse

BIG’s office has adopted sustainable practices by recycling paper, glass, plastic, metal and old electronic. We have reduced the amount waste produced through recycling and reusing office supplies. In addition, we have eliminated the use of single use plastic in the office by using environmentally friendly reusable water bottles, cups, and take-away containers as well as using eco-friendly shopping bags.

We Support Locals

We provide locals with the opportunity to prosper in their local region, engaging with their region’s development, economic integration and diversification through BIG’s Homestay and Farmstay programs.

We provide employment opportunities and work experience for:

  • Individuals from all cultural backgrounds.
  • Equal employment for women.
  • Employment for a wide range of ages.

BIG promotes gender equality through the endorsement of local community female achievers, ensuring women feel empowered to achieve their life goals.

We Assist Students in Developing Positive Self-Awareness and Maximise Their Potential

The use of our AusID Global app and face to face workshops:

  • Develops student’s self-awareness and integrated life skills promoting a greater tolerance and understanding for everyone including who they are as individuals.
  • Assist students in maximizing their educational potential to achieve their goals.
  • Assist students to understand what careers their personality would be more suited to enable them to better prepare for their future career path.

Quality Assurance

  • Qualified, skilled, bilingual friendly staff who are willing to help with all enquiries;
  • Our in-house homestay/farmstay guidelines are recognised as benchmarks in the industry;
  • All host families are carefully selected and assessed and have undergone training;
  • Comprehensive orientation on arrival when requested (Japanese / Chinese is also available in some locations);
  • 24-hour bilingual coordinators;
  • Public Liability insurance of $20 million.

Our difference

  • Leader in setting industry benchmarks
  • Aspires for growth and learning for all participants
  • Understanding of the local market
  • Ability to provide ‘off the beaten track’ products
  • Inspires innovation

FAQ

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Yes, we are a licenced Inbound Tour Operator.  Our licence number is 4323771.

Absolutely!  Banora International Group (BIG) can create customised program to suit your requirements throughout Australia.

Yes, BIG caters for groups of all nationalities.  The majority of our Study Tour groups requesting school visits come from Japan, China and Hong Kong, however our market share is increasing in both Eastern and Western Europe as well as North America.

BIG caters for groups all ages and interests. We have hosted groups consisting of parents and children, primary school students, high school students, university students, mature-age groups, professional groups and more.

BIG can arrange a large variety of accommodation options for clients.  Whilst hotel accommodation may be more suitable for shorter term stays, we encourage clients to participate in Homestay and/or Farmstay accommodation as it enhances the overall cultured learning experience.

Yes.  All host families are held to the highest standards.  Families are thoroughly screened through:

  • Our application processes
  • Working with Children Check (criminal background check)
  • Home inspection
  • Reference check

All families sign and are expected to abide by our Family Agreement and Code of Conduct.  All host families are expected to provide guests with:

  • A private bedroom with bed, bedding, bed linen and storage
  • Access to bathroom facilities (private or shared)
  • Access to a kitchen and full use of facilities
  • Prepared meals where applicable (this is subject to your prearranged package)
  • A key to the property for personal access (For Long Term students only, aged 18+)

Yes, all quotes are provided free of charge.  Please contact us on info@banoragroup.com to request a quote for your program.

Yes, we can provide tailor-made programs for individuals. We prefer to be provided with an indicative budget so that we ensure the program is feasible from the beginning.  Contact us on info@banoragroup.com to request a quote for your program.