From advisor to entrepreneur, Envoyage’s independent network model empowered this travel agent to make the leap from employee to thriving agency owner. Discover how you can own your career success and scale your business trajectory, too.
Advisor Alison Mourani left corporate travel at the worst possible moment, right in the middle of COVID, but turned that gamble into a 15-person agency that now generates $20 million a year. This is her story, and what it means for yours.
The moment that changed everything
When Mourani decided to start her own travel business, she wasn’t doing it on a whim. The experienced corporate travel manager had spent 15 years booking travel for some of Australia’s largest sports and entertainment businesses, but even that wouldn’t prepare her for what was ahead.
Like many others in the travel industry, COVID placed a crossroads in front of her. She could either stay in the business she knew or take a leap of faith and go out on her own.
“The turning point for me to leave the corporate world was during COVID, which was obviously a very stressful time for everyone working in travel,” she says.
“I thought about it, pondered on it, and then just made a call, trying my own thing. It was a big step, but in my mind, I felt like it was never, ever going to fail.”
In mid-2020, she started A List Travel, a full-service travel management company (TMC) for sports, media, entertainment and TV and film production sectors.
Despite her extensive experience and early signs that the business was already gaining traction, Mourani recognised she still needed the infrastructure required for long-term growth.
A friend in the industry suggested she join a travel network, but she quickly became overwhelmed by the options.
The relationship that made the decision easy
She came across Envoyage, Flight Centre Travel Group’s principal independent network, and a few conversations with a trusted contact made her decision easy.
“Your relationships really are what prevail in these moments. I actually knew Danielle Galloway, Envoyage’s global managing director. I called Dani, discussed my idea, and from that moment on, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that was where I needed to be,” Mourani says.
One of the biggest draws was access to FCTG’s buying power, delivering pricing and access that independent agencies simply can’t replicate on their own.
“I previously worked within Flight Centre Travel Group, so it was really a no-brainer knowing I’d still be part of the family and have access to this amazing product suite,” she says.
“From airline deals to hotel and car hire deals, Envoyage’s product range has given A List Travel everything we need to service our clients.”
From advisor to agency: the model that unlocked growth
Just five years later, Mourani runs a $20 million business with 15 staff across Australia and New Zealand and recently launched ALX, a luxury travel agency that has already featured in Marie Claire Australia.
She largely credits this growth to the Envoyage model and the ability to expand to New Zealand while staying within the same network. Switching from Envoyage’s advisor to agency model was a turning point, giving her the platform to scale on her own terms.
“I switched from Envoyage’s advisor model to the agency model when I knew I wanted to grow beyond just me. Having worked in management in my previous role, the autonomy to run my own business was huge,” Mourani says.
“Envoyage let me employ my own staff, bring in a CFO to manage the finance side, and run my own marketing campaigns – all of which played a major part in getting us where we are today.
“I would be remiss if I did not mention my incredible team. They have all played such an integral part in the growth and success of A List Travel Group and now ALX Travel – I wouldn’t be here without them.
“The trust they have put into not only myself and my vision but also the whole company and its success blow my mind every single day, and I am so grateful for each and every one of them.”
The two-model structure: advisor for those wanting more support and agency for those ready to scale and build teams around them, meant Mourani could make the move when she was ready, without changing networks or rebuilding from scratch. The platform grew with her business.
Independence without losing support
Mourani is quick to add that independence and growth have never come at the cost of support.
“The Envoyage team is always there when we need them. If we call, someone answers. Someone makes it happen. That’s not something you take for granted when you’re running your own show,” she says.
The results speak for themselves: A List Travel grew from a first booking of $200,000 to $20 million in annual revenue, and from a solo operation to a team of 15 across every Australian capital city and New Zealand, and now ALX as well. All this in just over five years and all without a dedicated sales hire.
“Being part of Envoyage has been great for extending my offering. We’ve just started selling cruise as part of my new luxury brand, ALX, so it’s been incredibly helpful for that. It’s not something you sell a lot of in corporate!” she says.
The growth of Mourani’s business is a perfect reflection of Envoyage’s core values: entrepreneurialism, endurance and engagement.
Wondering how your business could grow?
For travel advisors and agency owners asking what the next five years could look like, the question isn’t whether growth is possible; it’s whether the right foundations are in place to support it.
If you’re building something ambitious and looking for a path to support your success, book a confidential growth conversation with the Envoyage team.
This article is brought to you by Envoyage.
