FCTG Updates

An open letter to our Aussie travel industry colleagues...

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +0000

Our biggest loss during the pandemic was that of our people. Our people have always been our greatest asset and our biggest investment so to lose so many talented people as a result of COVID has been one of the hardest challenges we’ve faced.

We talk a lot about our “FCTG DNA”; in both good and bad times, it’s our unique make-up, our ‘have a go’ attitude and our out-of-the-box thinking that determines how well we adapt and evolve. We accept that change is the only constant in our industry...and never before have we seen it illustrated so clearly.

We seize opportunities and right now, our biggest opportunity is to prepare our business for the road ahead. As we rebuild our great company, we’re asking you to consider joining us for the ride.

Apply for a role with us

In March of this year, we launched Flighties Forever, a website dedicated to showcasing current role vacancies across FCTG’s businesses in Australia specifically for our alumni and travel industry colleagues. People can register for job alerts and personalise their profiles so the Recruitment Team can best match suitable applicants to vacant roles.  
 
We have proudly recruited 169 people into roles across our business since the platform went live in March. This proves to us that both our FCTG alumni and those who have joined us from other industry partners are committed to our vision, invested in our culture and confident in the future of the travel industry. 
We welcome anyone from the travel industry to put their expertise and skills to work in our business. You can connect with us on LinkedIn and we encourage you to explore our alumni website for current role vacancies. You can also register your interest for job alerts.

Looking after our people

We take our work seriously but not ourselves. This is an important part of our DNA; we embrace irreverence and make sure we always have fun.

Our people have always been the heart of our operation and we have implemented a number of initiatives recently to ensure our people know they remain our number one priority. Retaining our people during this period is critical to our business plans, as is actively recruiting people to join our journey and help us re-create a future for travel where the world is open for all of those who want to see it.

These initiatives include:

Bringing back our (in)famous Global Gathering. In July 2022, we will celebrate our traditional reward and recognition event in Singapore!
Offering all of our people globally rights to shares. Most participants will receive a one-off grant of 250 share rights which will be able to be exchanged for Flight Centre shares in Feb 2023, when the company releases its results for the six months to 31 December 2022. A total of about 7,500 people are expected to receive 1.9 million shares under the program, which is valued at $30 million at today's FLT share price.
Recruiting alumni and travel industry professionals to fill our roles as the world opens up.
Supporting a fast-tracked national vaccine roll-out. We want all Australians to be fully vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 if they choose to do so. We support this as Australia’s path to freedom.
Introducing a new remuneration and incentive model for our retail roles that rewards a high-performance sales culture; doing what is great for our customers at the same time as making profit we can all be proud of.

We still have a long road ahead but with our people behind us, we know we’ll reach our destination.

Allisa O’Connell

Head of People & Culture, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia

Global Recovery Rights Program

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +0000

We recently unveiled our newest retention program, the Global Recovery Rights (GRR) program. A total of about 7,500 people (excluding board members and senior executives) are expected to receive 1.9 million shares under the program, which is valued at $30 million at today's FLT share price.

One of our core values at FCTG is Ownership, and this offer gives all of our people the opportunity to take this value to the next level by truly being an owner of shares at FCTG. For more information, you can read the market release to the ASX below.

Global Recovery Rights Program: ASX Market Release

Flight Centre Travel Group announces FY21 results

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 02:00:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago we announced our FY21 results. While FY21 proved to be another challenging year for our industry, we are so grateful to see that conditions have gradually started to improve.

CEO Graham "Skroo" Turner commented, "As an organisation, we too have learnt a lot during the past 18 months, particularly about being resilient, consistent and as optimistic as possible during tough times. Our priorities have evolved from emergency cost-cutting at the beginning of the crisis to maintaining those significantly reduced expenses, while still developing and implementing our technology, improving productivity and finetuning our recovery strategies to drive stronger future returns."

We are so incredibly proud of every single one of our Flighties for their strength, resilience and tenacity through these extremely tough times. As we begin to write this next chapter of our history books, we will continue to work together in rebuilding our great company with our purpose guiding us stronger than ever - to once again "Open up the world for those who want to see".

Access our FY21 results here.

FCTG alumni site goes global

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 02:00:00 +0000

Following the success we’ve had here down under, our colleagues in the U.K, Americas, New Zealand and Asia have extended the branches of our alumni network with the launch of a truly global alumni site.

You can now view jobs by region and see stories shared by our alumni network all around the world. Business Leaders and Trainers from across all regions will also share their insights in our Professional Development section on the site.

We’re excited to see our family tree grow as more of our friends connect with us, and we hope to see roles of the future filled with alumni from FCTG and the wider travel industry, globally.

Flight Centre Brand appoints Global MD

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 02:00:00 +0000

Andrew Stark has been appointed to the new role of Global MD for the flagship retail brand to drive the global leisure strategy to “prosper”. Starky will take on the role in the new year, as FCB kicks off 2022 with its 40th-anniversary celebrations.

At the centre of FCTG’s leisure strategy to prosper are the exciting plans for our 40-year-old Flight Centre brand in 2022. Given the significance of the brand and the global approach we are now taking, it was vital to have a dedicated and experienced leader to drive this strategy globally. Andrew Stark has been appointed to the role of Global MD for FCB and will commence his role, relocating to Australia, in the new year.

Starky has been with FCTG for over 17 years, working in both South Africa and New Zealand. He has lead product nations in both countries as well as Corporate and Leisure businesses. In his current role as MD for South Africa and the Middle East, Starky has driven the regions to outstanding results whilst navigating the uncertainty of recent times. Under Starky’s leadership, FCTG RSA celebrated a milestone in September, achieving bottom-line Company Profit for the first time since the pandemic.

Flight Centre launches grants program for Australian charities

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 02:00:00 +0000

FCTG today unveiled a new grants program for eligible Australian charities, with $90,000 to be distributed among three charities before Christmas.

This is the Australian travel retailer’s first charitable commitment post-pandemic and follows recovery efforts gaining momentum and projections of a return to profitability during FY22.

The Flight Centre Foundation is funded through Workplace Giving and roughly 36% of the employees make a regular, monthly contribution. Under the new Giving Grants program, funds will be distributed as three grants each totalling $30,000.

FLT’s Australian MD, James Kavanagh, said the three grants would ultimately be decided by the company’s people.

“We’ll put a shortlist of applicants to a vote for our 3,900 people across our Australian businesses. This is only made possible through the commitment of our people to generously support Australian charities through workplace giving so we want them to have the final say in how their contributions will make the biggest impact,” he said.

Kavanagh said charities will need to showcase how their goals are aligned to the core values of the Flight Centre Foundation.

“We’re looking to fund projects that support our three principles areas of concern: Care, Crisis and Climate,” he said.

“The Flight Centre Foundation has been a much-loved initiative of our people for many years so we are proud to see its evolution continue into 2022 and beyond.”

For more information about the program please visit the FC Foundation website.

Aussie demand for leisure consultant roles

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 02:00:00 +0000

At Flight Centre Travel Group, our purpose is to open the world for those who want to see and we couldn't be more excited as the world continues to open up for travellers.

Open borders + pent up travel demand = role vacancies across our leisure business

We’re hiring now to help prepare our business for open borders and increased customer demand. As our network of FCTG alumni and travel industry colleagues, you’re the first to hear about the travel sales consultant roles we need to fill before Christmas.

We already know you have FCTG DNA, so any job applications received from our alumni network across FCTG and the Australian travel industry will get prioritised in the queue.

About our available roles

As a Travel Sales Consultant in a customer-facing retail store, you will play an integral part in the business’ success as we embark on this next journey together. Right now, we are hiring for retail roles available in locations across Australia; from community-based regional stores to big city hyper stores. We’re looking for energetic, social team players who like the idea of flexible 5 – 7 day rosters, talking travel day-in-day-out and helping to create amazing travel experiences for our customers.

The more you sell, the more you earn

In September 2021, Flight Centre introduced a new wage model for its leisure consultants. Key changes include:

An increase of the base retainer (starting at $44,898 for Consultants, up to $62,882 for Senior Team Leaders)
FCB has moved away from a commission-based model to a sales-based (TTV) model.
Penalties will no longer be offset by incentives (retainer + penalties + incentive model)
Covid guarantee will be extended until 31 December 2021, meaning all consultants are paid a bonus in addition to their base retainer.

APPLY NOW

Click here to explore our available roles across the country right now. We also have many Team Leader positions open across the country and welcome previous Team Leader and Assistant Team Leaders to apply.

Don’t see any roles in your local area? Fill out this Expression of Interest for your state (NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT, WA, SA, NT, TAS) and we will make sure you are first to hear as local vacancies are promoted – we're adding new roles every day!

Got questions? You can speak to our recruitment team at fctgcareers@flightcentre.com.

We look forward to welcoming you back home to FCTG with open arms.

FCTG Careers

Volunteering opportunities now available for Aussie Alumni

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 02:00:00 +0000

Flight Centre Travel Group is now able to connect its Australian alumni community with participating charity partners for volunteer opportunities.

The Flight Centre Foundation is FCTG’s way of harnessing the collective goodness of our people, industry partners and customers to give back to the communities where we work, live and travel.
Despite the unprecedented times of the past 18 months, one thing that has remained is our people acting as drivers for positive social change through several volunteering initiatives.
In 2021, our people participated in volunteer opportunities for some amazing organisations including Solar Buddy, Baby Give Back, Share the Dignity, Children's Hospital Foundation and Precious Wings Queensland.

Although you may have left our business, we know that your giving spirit has never wavered. This is why we’re so excited to be able to offer our alumni and those in the wider travel community, as well as family and friends, the opportunity to get involved and volunteer for our partnering organisations.

If this is something you would be interested in, we would love to connect with you via this Expression of Interest. We will then be in touch whenever an opportunity becomes available that is close to you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to tyler_miscannon@flightcentre.com.

FCTG launches global EVPs

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:00:00 +0000

As alumni of FCTG, you know better than anyone the unique culture our people can celebrate while having access to tangible benefits that have been curated to ensure they are cared for holistically – from their mental and physical health to their financial freedom. As we move into the next chapter of our company's history we felt it was important we define our employee value propositions (EVPs) known as the FCTG Way. Broken down into five pillars, the FCTG Way pillars have been developed to capture just how we support our people, and the communities where we work, live and travel.

CONNECT - Come as you are
We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that supports your unique identity to create better, safer experiences for everyone.

At Flight Centre Travel Group, we want you to be your best self. We encourage you to come as you are, to foster inclusivity, collaboration, and celebration. We encourage you to add your individuality to every conversation.

GIVE - Give it your all and we’ll give back

We believe in supporting the communities in which we work, live and travel. We encourage our people to participate in Workplace Giving through our Flight Centre Foundation and offer volunteering opportunities to support positive contributions to your local communities.

We encourage our people to give their all to causes they support, and in turn, we offer our all to you.

MOVE - Challenge yourself

At FCTG we want to inspire and motivate our people to live their happiest, healthiest life.

We provide our people with the resources to be proactive in their health and wellbeing journey with everything for your mind, body and soul.

REWARD - Encouraging a culture of reward and recognition

At the heart of everything we do is a desire to have fun. Our culture of reward and recognition is embedded in our everyday life. We believe in creating opportunities for our people to celebrate achievements and offer access to tangible benefits and discounts to really reap the benefits of working for a global retailer.

THRIVE - Find your Brightness of Future

We offer genuine opportunities for you to grow and evolve. We believe in providing you with the tools and development opportunities to flourish, both professionally and personally. 

All of our people are offered the opportunity to establish a long-term career pathway with access to mentoring and leadership development opportunities that will help you reach your potential.

Recently we sat down with many of our Flighties to see just what each pillar means to them. Check out our socials as we spotlight one pillar each week.

Post-COVID corporate travel demand fuels role vacancies

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 06:22:26 +0000

Recruiting now for BDM and Travel Manager roles in FCTG’s most successful brand.

Flight Centre Travel Group’s SME market-leading brand, Corporate Traveller, is ramping up recruitment efforts in preparation for take-off this new year, in its first real recruitment push since the grounding of the travel industry in 2020.

With a new wage model in place, a significant investment in technology and 360 new clients in 12 months, Corporate Traveller is on the hunt for experienced travel industry professionals to fill Travel Manager and BDM roles to support demand as businesses surge forward with corporate travel plans.

“With international borders now open across most of the country, the complexities of travel are only going to be exacerbated,” says Tom Walley, Global Managing Director, Corporate Traveller.

“We are looking for awesome people to be able to take on this next challenge, aided by our new seamless technology, to provide personalised, dedicated support for our customers.”

Target candidates consider themselves go-getters, are well-versed in travel and ready to solidify their career in the industry working alongside Australia’s most experienced travel teams, all of whom hold an average of 9 years of industry experience.

During the pandemic, Corporate Traveller remained focused on prioritising and supporting their existing staff. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the business has implemented a new wage model, including a 22% base wage increase for their Travel Managers.

CEO of FCTG Corporate Brands, Chris Galanty, says the brand is well-placed for growth with the right people ready for its journey.

“Corporate Traveller is already our most successful brand globally with the largest contribution to FCTG profit pre and during Covid. It has been profitable for the last couple of months and this growth will gather pace in the new year,” said Galanty.

“Our game-changing approach of combining the best people in the world with the best product in the world will redefine Corporate Traveller’s success over the next decade.”

Interested in becoming a BDM or Travel Manager for FCTG's most successful brand? Please email shanyll_haywood@flightcentre.com to find out more. For more information on other current Corporate Traveller roles, visit FCTGCareers.com.

Tom Walley announced as Global Managing Director of Corporate Traveller

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 04:53:58 +0000

Recently we announced that long-serving senior leader Tom Walley will take the reins as the new Global Managing Director of SME specialist division Corporate Traveller. Having started with FCTG over two decades ago, Tom has worked across the company’s corporate and leisure divisions in both the UK and Australia, primarily in management roles, and he will also retain his current position of General Manager for Corporate Traveller in Australia.

“I’ve been a passionate advocate for this fantastic brand for more than 10 years and I’m delighted to move into a role that will focus on Corporate Traveller being a leader for SMEs, not just in Australia, but across the globe,” says Tom.

“We already have an incredibly strong basis with more than 1,500 team members globally across all sectors and we’re the dominant player in the SME travel space in Australia with over 4,000 customers, and more than 16,000 globally.”

Success has been at the very core of Walley’s stewardship with dozens of new customers boarding Corporate Traveller in recent years, resulting in multi-million-dollar deals. This has been complemented by a strong Net Promoter Score that has always sat well above the ‘world-class’ standard of 80 per cent.

“We have an ambitious target of welcoming $1 billion (USD) of new customers in the 2023 financial year globally and there are three things that will help us achieve this goal – our people, the great service they provide, and our investment in technology,” he said.

“This is complemented by our culture because we believe in putting our people first, giving them ownership, then relying on them and their entrepreneurial skills to deliver the most outstanding customer service – we automate the simple so our people can shine in the complex."

CEO Corporate Travel Chris Galanty said Tom was the perfect candidate to navigate Corporate Traveller through the post-pandemic world and beyond.

“Tom is incredibly well-known across the business as he’s one of our most experienced senior leaders, having held senior positions in both Australia and the UK for over a decade,” said Chris.

“Tom has been a key member of the team that has created a highly successful strategy in the Australian market over the last two years and he is determined to see Corporate Traveller become the global category leader in SME business travel.

“Corporate Traveller is very customer-centric, and our people have been the driver of its success for many years. Tom’s new role will further our ability to offer the best service, products, and technology possible.”

Chris and Tom at the Global Gathering 2009 in Dublin.

Our Commitment to Reconciliation in Australia

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:11:33 +0000

Artwork: Sea to the Land by Natalie Booth

We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their ongoing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past, present and future, and support the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

Our Vision for Reconciliation

Flight Centre Travel Group is a unique, Australian-born company dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Our Global HQ is on Yuggera Country.

We take pride in being able to showcase Australia to those who want to see it. Our role, as Australia’s largest travel retailer, includes the responsibility of ensuring we do our part to respect the sacred nature of these lands, educate our people and customers, and continue to walk alongside the Traditional Owners of the Lands.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. RAPs are based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities to provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The four RAP types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – allow organisations to continuously develop and evolve their reconciliation commitments. Our Innovate RAP runs for two years and outlines actions for achieving our vision for reconciliation.

Through the initiatives showcased in our Innovate RAP, we hope to create educated teams who understand the importance of reconciliation, to see our people develop strong relationships with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, develop collaborative initiatives that support needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and collectively celebrate the traditions and journey of our First Nations People.

DOWNLOAD OUR RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

Converting e-waste into opportunities for Australian students in need

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 03:00:31 +0000

Last week, through our Flight Centre Foundation, we partnered with not-for-profit charity LiteHaus International to donate and repurpose end-of-life technology devices to vulnerable communities across Australia.

We are so proud to help lead the way in managing corporate e-waste, in the form of laptops, tablets and other devices, by transforming them into opportunities to help bridge the digital divide.

Jack Growden, CEO of LiteHaus, said redirecting end-of-life devices away from landfill reduces corporate e-waste and provides learning support to tens of thousands of Australian students in need.

“Roughly 90% of corporate e-waste in Australia ends up in landfill, with more than 1,000 laptops globally thrown away every second. Instead of throwing them away, we need to redirect end-of-life devices away from landfill and into the hands of the tens of thousands of students in need across Australia," says Jack.

“Flight Centre is leading the way and setting a fantastic example for other corporates by converting e-waste into opportunities through our Full Circle Program.”
Recently appointed Global Sustainability Officer, Michelle Degenhardt, hopes other corporations will follow suit once they see how easy it is to adopt processes to transform e-waste into opportunities.

“Thanks to our collaboration with LiteHaus we are able to address our impact on the environment while also doing our part to bridge the digital divide. There is no cost to corporates who donate anywhere in the chain so it really is a fantastic opportunity to give back and contribute to the important conversation around sustainability,” she said.

This week we have donated 355 laptops, 25 desktops and 10 servers to LiteHaus who will distribute to First Nations and other vulnerable communities across Northern Territory.

This initiative further acknowledges our commitment to reconciliation as we delivered our two-year Reconciliation Action Plan earlier this week. You can view our RAP here.

Pictured: Robert Birnie from LiteHaus with Flight Centre Foundation's Tyler Miscannon.

Celebrating International Women’s Day in our Australian business

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 02:53:31 +0000

Tuesday 8th March 2022 marked the annual celebration of International Women’s Day. I seized the day as an opportunity to reflect on all Flight Centre Travel Group is doing to #breakthebias in celebration of our global Womenwise community.

In mid-2021, we launched a renewed global Diversity & Inclusion program. Our D&I program has 6 core pillars representing LGBTQI+, Mental Health, Gender Equality, Accessibility, Age, and Heritage/Race/Religion. As FCTG’s gender equality pillar, Womenwise exists to inspire all women to develop their leadership potential by providing role models, opportunity and structured support. We celebrate, connect, collaborate and create change for our women.

We are big advocates for equal opportunity. Our global workforce is approximately 65% female, which means we have many inspirational women leading our brands and business units across corporate and leisure travel, and support disciplines.

In Australia, we’ve had a tough few years battling the flow-on effects of the pandemic in the travel industry. We’ve faced, stand downs, lock downs and truthfully, we’ve probably all felt pretty down ourselves.

As Head of People & Culture, something I’ve experienced a lot over the last few years is the frustration felt by our many working mothers and primary caregivers (to children as well as elderly family members)...."working" from home can sometimes be a laughable concept!

One of my objectives over the past few years has been to help support and promote a truly flexible working environment. We don’t owe the pandemic much, but I think we can all be thankful for how flexible working has emerged as the new normal for the global workforce.

Creating a flexible working environment has been one of the strongest employee incentives to emerge from the pandemic. Encouraging an environment of trust where people feel free to adapt their work environment to suit their needs, shifting between the office and home to do their work and fulfil all the important roles they hold; as a colleague, leader, parent, caregiver etc.

It is my hope that creating this type of environment will allow women to build their professional confidence and better develop their leadership capabilities. As more women feel confident and in control of the many hats they wear and the balls they juggle, I anticipate we can create a stronger pipeline of future female leaders.

If I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would be to make sure you always have someone in your corner. Finding a mentor and nurturing this relationship will prove invaluable to you as you seek to evolve and grow in your career goals and/or leadership potential. Similarly, we all have something to offer so while you seek guidance from a mentor, I encourage you to develop this same relationship with a mentee of your own. Don’t discount your ability to shape or offer invaluable wisdom to someone else.

As long as we’re learning and evolving, we will always move forward.

Maya Angelou said it best so here’s to strong women – may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!

Allisa and her family

What #breakthebias means to some of the remarkable women from our corporate businesses

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 01:26:37 +0000

To celebrate International Women’s Day this year we have profiled a number of remarkable women from our corporate businesses FCM, FCM Meetings & Events and Corporate Traveller. Read on to find out what International Women’s Day and #breakthebias means to these amazing women.

Hayley Taylor

Hotel program specialist for FCM Consulting, Hayley Taylor has a lot on her plate, between working, various community roles and raising a family. But that doesn’t seem to bother Hayley. In fact, this mum of two is passionate about getting involved to support her community in any way she can.

What do you think of International Women’s Day and what does it mean to you?

How blessed I am to work in a company, which has so many amazing women to connect with and learn from. For me, International Women’s Day is a day to reflect on how far women have come, how many new opportunities have been opened up by women who have come before us.

So many women around me, personally and professionally have been and are strong women with stories to be told. My Mum fought cancer for nine years however lost her fight 10 years ago. She taught me to have a ‘giving heart’. To serve and volunteer, connect with people and listen to their stories, because you will always learn something and you can always help someone.

What advice do you have for young women or men who are working to ‘Break the Bias’?

We are all on our own journey. Be flexible with your path but know who you are and strive to be the best version of yourself. Find a balance, work hard but find time to have fun and to keep fit. Have a voice. Live in community with others and treasure the stories that people share with you. Have a generous heart with both time and money.

Read more of what Hayley had to say here.

Michelle Leffley

Head of FCM’s Account Management team in NSW, Michelle Leffley, has played a pivotal role in helping to manage some of FCM’s largest projects during the past few years. Michelle believes asking questions and being courageous are some of the key attributes for a successful career.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

The recent advancement of women in leadership roles has been amazing to see and I believe you need to appoint the right person for the role, regardless of gender. I remember in my early years at Flight Centre Travel Group, I was lucky enough to attend the Womenwise event in Brisbane and this really was when the rise of women in leadership was taking off. It was such an inspirational day to hear women’s achievements recognised and understand the challenges some women faced in the ‘70s and ‘80s and how far we have come. Events and recognition like this allow women and girls of any age believe they can achieve their dreams.

What is your message to young women or men growing up in terms of helping them to ‘Break the Bias’?

I am a strong believer that people should be recognised for their work ethic and performance in their role and that the right person for the role be appointed, as we know the workplace does not always work in this way. Therefore, it is important to hold strong to your values and live through these, know what you are capable of and never be scared to ask questions and be courageous throughout your career. I think you should always follow your passion and goals and, in the process, understand what you have to do, to achieve these. It may be that you need to work on certain areas of your development or take on new projects and in the end, believe in yourself.

Read more of Michelle's story here.

Stacey O’Connor

Business Development Manager for FCM Meetings & Events and new mum-to-be Stacey O’Connor believes in the power of women ‘raising each other up’ and people taking time out for themselves daily, to re-set and focus on what’s important for the day ahead.

As someone who works in the event space have there been events that you’ve considered to be outstanding in terms of creating equality, opportunity and progress for women?

I have been lucky enough to run many incredible, pinch-yourself type events all over the world – from hosting a gala dinner in a Siem Reap temple in Cambodia, to coordinating a dinner under the stars in the heart of Kruger National Park, South Africa, surrounded by the ‘big five’. However, if I’m honest about the events where I felt the most inspired about the opportunity it represented for women - it would have to be the first Womenwise event I attended, run by our very own company!

I remember sitting there in a large room full of 300 other women, all with their own stories of struggle and triumph, cheering each other on to be better versions of themselves. Not only for their families but for the many other women out there who are still disadvantaged, still burdened by the gender gap. That was special and what life is truly about. Raising each other up.

Read Stacey's full story here.

Julie Pilcher

"If we don’t have men as part of the discussion and actively promoting women, we won’t get there. It will take ALL of us to champion women for a seat at the table."

You are a busy mum of a blended family as well as a very talented creative, involved in volunteer work including supporting the homeless, aged care and corporate charities … how do you fit everything in as well as having time to yourself?

The adage of giving a job to a busy person seems to apply and resonate with me. I am energetic and hate standing still. I will find things to do rather than relax as a general rule! The chaos of a blended family of five girls was intense when they were all teenagers and all living at home, but we worked hard to make it work. I think I had a good mix of work, family, social life and also managed to fit community work in as well, which I think is important.

It’s also been good for our girls to see how important it is to look outside your own lives and help others where you can. It’s been rewarding to see them grow and develop their skill set in helping others. Although in saying ALL of that … I love to shut myself in my bedroom and read or enjoy a good G&T in the afternoon!

Read more about Julie's story here.

Karla West

Karla started with FCTG in a retail role in 2008, before spending the past 10 years with Corporate Traveller in Operations and then Account Management. After maternity leave, which coincided with COVID, Karla returned in 2021 to her current role with the flexibility of working from home one day a week. Inspired by one of her non-profit corporate clients, Karla was keen to give back to the community – leading her to take a hands-on role that she cherishes, as part of the Flight Centre Foundation’s working group.

‘Break the Bias’ is the IWD theme for 2022, what does it mean to you?

There is still a lot of gender bias in business, evidenced by the low numbers of women in CEO roles in Australia. I remember organising an International Women’s Day lunch for the business a few years ago and I really struggled to find women in senior roles to attend. I think part of the issue is that gender stereotypes are instilled in us from birth. You also see stereotypes in a clearer light once you become a mother yourself, especially gender roles around parenthood. I don’t know that it will ever happen, but it would be great to see men taking parenting leave in the same numbers as women!

Read Karla's full interview here.

Jaclyn Reynolds

During her 23 years with the FCTG, Jaclyn has held many roles starting as a Travel Manager, before moving into Account Management, then Head of Operations and General Manager for NSW/ACT before her recent promotion.

What is the biggest barrier for women wanting to progress in their careers?

In my experience, striving for perfectionism causes a barrier for many women. Women tend to be too critical of themselves and rather than jumping into a new role, they may hold back until they feel they have ticked all of the boxes. We often think that we have to prove ourselves more than men. So we tend to judge ourselves more harshly, compare ourselves to others and hold ourselves back if we don’t see ourselves as a ‘stereotypical’ leader.

What advice would you give to women considering their next career move?

Work closely with a mentor within the business to support your growth, to help improve your skillset and to also help raise your personal profile.

Read Jaclyn's full story here.

Interested in working alongside these extraordinary women? Check out our open roles in Corporate and Group Travel here.

Reinventing the events industry

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 02:00:00 +0000

While international travel and events are enjoying a resurgence across the world, FCM Meetings and Events is on the front foot to meet the needs of an ever-changing environment. Group Travel Manager, Sarsha, and Project Coordinator, Shannon, take us behind the scenes on what skills they have had to lean on most in the past couple of years, and what they are most excited about now that the industry is back and booming.

What does the events industry look like in a post-pandemic world?

Shannon: I think in a post-pandemic world, fear is more front of mind than ever before. Customers are looking to us to navigate this unique and new environment so it's imperative to utilise your skills in sales and marketing.

As an event manager, you’re constantly reevaluating risk and developing measures to mitigate concerns. Of course, this has always been the case, but we’re all navigating unfamiliar territory with COVID-19 and keeping up with the ever-changing rules and regulations. Flexibility above all else is key.

Sarsha: The event industry is coming back at an insane pace. After years of companies needing to cancel and postpone events, everyone now seems very eager to get back to face-to-face events. Going from zero to a hundred has been quite challenging but also really exciting. One noticeable difference is that lead time has become dramatically shorter. This means rather than looking at planning an event for 6 months' time, we see a lot of events coming to fruition within 1-3 months. Due to this, time management and multi-tasking have never been more important in my role.

Do you fancy yourself a master in sales and negotiating, or maybe time management and being able to multi-task is your greatest strength... become a part of the FCM Meetings and Events team as they lead the way in this new world of Group Travel and Events. Now Hiring Group Travel Managers across the country.

What are you most excited about that’s happening now?

Shannon: International travel is slowly but surely coming back, and brands are keen to explore their options within this space. It is exciting to see how much this has increased business and instilled confidence across the industry.

What is your favourite thing about your role?

Shannon: It’s exciting, fast-paced and full of opportunity! No two days are the same and I get to work alongside some of the greatest minds in the industry. It’s amazing!

Sarsha: I really enjoy the variety in every day. I have recently been working on a project bringing back international students into the country. This was a big project and required the collaboration of not only Group Managers but others within the FCM M&E group. This was a nice change-up from my other projects where I work solo directly with the client and was an awesome opportunity to work closely with people from other departments and learn different parts of the business.

What are your predictions for the future?

Shannon: I don’t think the appetite for in-person connection and experience will ever entirely fade, however, I do think that virtual and hybrid events are the way of the future and will feature regardless of the pandemic.
Customers now know the process of hosting virtual events and are more willing to utilise the benefits of these alternative methods for example to either connect internationally on a smaller budget or offer those who cannot attend in person a similar opportunity to shared education or networking events.

I am most excited about the boom we are about to see now that the world is opening up again. There is a renewed sense of excitement for international travel and events because it has been out of reach for so long.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining or returning to the industry?

Shannon: Do it! The demand is high and there is a renewed sense of energy in the industry now that we can hold events again. If you love challenging work, where no two days are the same, then this industry is for you.

Sarsha: If you have been tossing and turning about coming back into the industry, bite the bullet and do it! With our open roles across various departments, it is an amazing opportunity to try something you may have never thought about. With new opportunities across the business, it is a great time to get on the front foot now and build up your portfolio!

With a new hybrid model across Groups Travel and Events, the opportunities for growth and development at FCM Meetings and Events are abundant. Work with some of the best in the industry and start your action-packed and exciting career today. View current opportunities here.

40 Years of Taking Off: Skroo reflects on 40 years of travel and what the future holds

Tue, 31 May 2022 02:37:31 +0000

This year marks a very special occasion for Flight Centre Travel Group, not only in Australia but in suburban strips, shopping malls and high streets all around the world where our iconic brand is represented. In 1982, 40 years ago, we opened our first shop in Australia.

Our 40th birthday milestone is an acknowledgement of our Australian roots, and the birth of a brand that became the catalyst for all of our success and brand diversification to follow.

More than 40 years ago, I flew to London as a uni grad and had a hair brained idea that buying a run-down double-decker bus would be a cheap, but effective, way to drive around Europe. A few friends liked the idea too and pretty soon, we worked out people would actually be willing to pay to come along with us on some of our fun.

That was the start of Top Deck Travel and became the catalyst for the birth of Flight Centre in Australia.

It's been a privilege to watch the growth of the travel industry, both in Australia and globally, over the past 40 years. It’s safe to say I’ve done my fair share of travel but this is the most incredible journey I’ve been on.

To our customers, who have let us play a part of their travel memories, and to our people, past and present, who have contributed to the company’s enduring success over the past 40 years, thank you. Here’s to the next 40.

Air travel – Sydney to London in less than 6 hours

Over the next 40 years I think the most significant change for long haul travel will be in flight times. Using a new generation of high speed (Mach3) intercontinental aircraft, travellers will be able to get from Sydney to somewhere like London or New York in less than 6 hours. The planes are powered by liquid Hydrogen processed by renewables. The fuel cost is about double relative the cost of kero in 2022.

Coach touring – immersive cultural experience

Back in the 80s, European coach camping tours were marketed at 18-25 year olds and the most common itineraries were around the 10-week mark. Travellers would stay in tents or converted Double Deckers (favoured by our own Top Deck brand) and come home with tales of seeing many new countries and experiencing a taste of what they have to offer. Over the next 40 years, touring will focus on more intimate, experiential memories in smaller groups (25 max). Instead of building larger 10-week itineraries covering multiple countries, tourers will spend about 3 weeks in a single region, staying in hostels as a more experiential way to immerse yourself in the destination.

Cruising – riding big waves

Over the past 40 years, cruising has been largely contained to popular ocean cruising in large ships, but we’ve seen river boat cruising and smaller expedition ship journeys grow in the lead up to Covid. I predict cruising of all sorts will see a resurgence over the next 40 years as ocean, river and expeditions grow in popularity dramatically as an industry in all 3 sectors.

Hotels – rise of the boutique brand

Big, branded hotel chains have dominated accommodation preferences for 40 years but I anticipate smaller, boutique brands will become more popular as travellers seek a unique stay to complement their in-destination experience. Our own (Turner-family owned) Spicers boutique offering continues to grow in line with pandemic-driven demand for tranquil, nature-based getaways.

Graham Turner
Founder and Global CEO, Flight Centre Travel Group

National Reconciliation Week in action

Tue, 31 May 2022 02:46:38 +0000

Panel hosted at our Global HQ on Yuggera land

A panel discussion examining tangible ways to embody National Reconciliation Week’s theme of ‘Be Brave. Make Change’ was held at our Global HQ last Friday. The event, held on Yuggera land, forms part of FCTG’s commitment to our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) we launched in February this year.

A $20,000 donation was presented to Deadly Choices, for its sub-fund within Queensland Community Foundation, to perpetually fund Aboriginal health programs. $10,000 was donated by FCTG and this was matched by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). Deadly Choices is a health promotion initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.

Discussing how to ‘Close the Gap’, panellists included CEO of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Adrian Carson, Indigenous Partnerships Manager at QIC Andrew Niven, CEO of Queensland Community Foundation Tara Castle and FCTG National Social Impact Manager Tyler Miscannon. The MC was Deadly Choices Ambassador, former professional Rugby League footballer, Steve Renouf.

The event highlighted the health gap faced by First Nations peoples and stressed the importance of educating younger generations about the historical traumas experienced so that we all start to understand why such gaps have occurred.

As part of our reconciliation journey, FCTG aims to increase engagement with First Nations communities - suppliers, industry partners and community organisations were all invited to attend, and First Nations businesses were invited to host stalls featuring Aboriginal art and other products. Together with Compass Group, who also hosted the event, we want to sincerely thank all those involved.

FCTG Global CEO Leisure Travel James Kavanagh said he was especially proud to launch FCTG’s Reconciliation Action Plan during the company’s milestone 40th year of business in 2022.

“We’re committed to advancing and refining our approach to reconciliation in our workplace and will continue to harness opportunities to learn and grow in our approach,” Mr Kavanagh said.

Other initiatives we have implemented this year include donating 390 digital devices to First Nations communities in far north Queensland through the charity Litehaus International. Work has also commenced to launch the First Nations Young People Creative Arts Competition in July. This is the second such competition we have run and will be promoted to 12 to 18-year-olds nationwide.

Global Retention Rights Initiative Extension

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 02:42:37 +0000

Earlier this month we revealed our plans to extend our Global Retention Rights program, a tailored retention initiative that was introduced during the 2022 fiscal year to counter COVID-19's impacts on the business and our people, for a further 12 months.

In total, around 10,000 people are expected to receive shares or cash via the FY23 offer at an expected one-off cost between $30 million and $35 million AUD.

Managing Director and Global CEO Graham "Skroo" Turner commented on the retention program noting “The GRR program is a material investment in the people who are integral to both our recovery and our future success and we believe it is contributing to the healthy overall retention rates we are seeing."

“It is first and foremost a retention program that encourages our people to continue their careers with us during what we believe will be an important period in our recovery. Travel is rebounding but there is added complexity, which once again underlines the value of our people and their expertise."

For more information read the full announcement: https://www.fctgl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/220615-GRR-Initiative-Announcement.pdf

Flight Centre solidifies its store network and reopens the last of its hibernated locations in Australia

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:54:48 +0000

After over 800 days spent with the “closed” sign on the door, the last of our red and white Flight Centre retail stores across the country will finally reopen their doors for their customers.

As reported late last week, FCTG released its full-year results, referencing the “Renaissance of the travel advisor”, fuelled by travellers seeking expert advice given the complexity of service requirements in this environment.

Our Flight Centre teams in the retail shop network around Australia are expertly placed to lead the way in providing this high-level touch point and support to our customers.

Head of Sales, Operations and Network Brent Novak commented on the decision to reopen the stores saying “with the demand for travel at an all-time high, we feel the time to reopen our network and those hibernated locations impacted through COVID is right. We intend to have all hibernated stores reopened and trading prior to this year's Christmas period and look forward to re-engaging with our local communities and former Flighties.”

Over 30 stores are set to open and Flight Centre are on the hunt for Team Leaders and Travel Consultants who are ready to hit the ground running. If you’re ready to take ownership and be a part of the next phase of the company’s history, apply here.

Check out some of the revamped locations across the country below.

ACT: Manuka

NT: Casuarina, Alice Springs,

NSW: Terrigal, The Junction, Lane Cove, Forestway, Darlinghurst, Leichhardt, Lismore, Camden

QLD: Ascot, Noosa, Ashgrove, Bulimba, Cleveland, Paddington, Greenslopes, Rose City Warwick

SA: Glenelg, Norwood

TAS: Centrepoint Hobart, Rosny, Kings Meadows

VIC: Ashburton, Eltham, Balwyn, Casey, Croydon, Hampton, Hawthorn, Elwood, Docklands

WA: F&B Raine Square, F&B Cottesloe

Flight Centre combats the complexities of modern-day travel with tailored service offerings for its customers

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 02:00:00 +0000

The complexities of post-COVID travel have only reinforced the value of expert travel managers and advisors. To combat this, Flight Centre has strengthened its offerings to its customers with several specialist businesses reopening across the country.

With travel experts dedicated to corporate travel, cruising, round the world trips, first and business class and group bookings, customers are invited to experience the true extent of Flight Centre’s experience as the leisure giant simplifies travel for customers in a constantly evolving and complex travel environment.

Celebrating its 40th year of business this year, Flight Centre is inviting experienced and passionate travel experts to join them in one of their specialist businesses as they embark on an exciting new chapter of their brand's history. Whether they be a former staff member looking to return to the business or an industry professional passionate about their specific field, Flight Centre is encouraging all those interested to apply. All roles boast flexible work options, including remote user models, for those right around the country.

To enquire about FCTG’s current specialist opportunities, contact Regional Sales Leader Rindala Jensen at rindala_jensen@flightcentre.com.

View all our current opportunities here.

Calling all travel experts to join the industry's most exclusive club

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 04:36:13 +0000

Our corporate customers now have access to the latest industry deals on both their business and leisure travel, thanks to the recently revamped ‘Leisure Club’ and our global network of premium partner airlines, accommodation options and tour suppliers.

As the business continues to gain momentum, we're on the lookout for seasoned industry professionals who are ready to join the club. With both Team Leader and Travel Manager positions currently available, these roles are best suited to experienced travel experts across Australia seeking a flexible work model as all roles are currently 100% remote.

If you’re ready to join this exclusive team of professionals, view the current opportunities here or reach out to fctgcareers@flightcentre.com for more information.