With 30 years’ industry experience, a mission to empower travel entrepreneurs, and a litany of sayings that could easily be a side hustle of motivational mugs and totes, Nick Queale is as inspirational as he is experienced. As Karryon discovered in our recent chat about his role as General Manager at Envoyage and his vision for the brand.
Nick Queale isn’t just leading a network – he’s reshaping what it means to be an independent advisor. After nearly three decades with the Flight Centre Travel Group – from an Adelaide store in the ‘90s to corporate gigs, plus stints in Canada and New Zealand – he brings a wealth of wisdom, humility, and heart to his role as General Manager at Envoyage.
Envoyage has already made a strong start since its Australian launch in May 2024, replacing Travel Partners. With over 2,600 travel advisors now part of the network globally – including 1,500 here in Australia – the brand is quickly gaining momentum.
From solo operators to shopfront agencies with big visions, Queale has a simple but powerful mission. “For me, it’s all about empowering people – including being empowered myself – problem-solving and removing barriers to unlock possibilities. Those things are core in my DNA and at the heart of what Envoyage stands for.”
A leadership style shaped by challenge
Queale’s leadership philosophy is rooted in lived experience. He’s navigated everything across his three decades in the industry, from the 2008 GFC to international relocations and, of course, the pandemic.
Rather than avoiding pressure, he leans into it. “Some of the most defining moments in my career have come from confronting environments,” he says. “They taught me that we can outperform, excel, and exceed despite challenges – especially when we’ve got the right tools and support in place.”
Queale describes his leadership style as one that has evolved significantly. He admits to micromanaging in his early days, driven by a love of detail and data.
“I also damaged my leadership credibility early on when I said that people should follow what I say, but then didn’t take those actions myself. Integrity goes out the window when that happens, and rebuilding trust takes time.
“You’ve got to be aware of the wake you leave. A simple comment or action can ripple further than you realise. Leadership is about awareness, trust, and walking the talk.”
He credits early mentors with shaping his management style. Leaders like Skroo Turner and Geoff Harris emphasised listening over speaking, guiding rather than directing. The lessons stuck.
“If you’ve got the right culture, people become vulnerable and reveal their ambitions. That’s when you start to get the best out of people. I value creating environments where people feel part of something bigger.”
Designed for evolution: A flexible model for modern advisors
A key point of difference within Envoyage is its progression pathway. Advisors can start solo, scale into an agency, and even open a shopfront, supported the entire time by Envoyage. It’s a model built for every journey, and one that sets FCTG’s newest brand stand out from Australia’s other independent networks.
“Whether someone wants to work independently with flexibility or grow into a multi-site agency, we’ll meet them where they’re at and support growth at their pace.”
New members receive personalised onboarding and goal-setting support, with options to move into more advanced systems, tools and contracting as they’re ready. Queale adds thoughtfully, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Development is backed by extensive L&D opportunities, including access to discounted Flight Centre Travel Academy courses, leadership and time management training, and regular educational touchpoints. Among these are Maximise Mondays, which are short and practical sessions designed to help members grow their revenue, and the quarterly Amplify Series, a live and online event featuring subject matter experts who deep dive into important business topics.
A diverse, dynamic membership base
Envoyage is the perfect place for those who have or want to carve out a niche, with members representing a broad spectrum of specialists. From luxury charters to ballet tours, wellness retreats, and once-in-a-lifetime festival access, they all have one thing in common: they’re all entrepreneurs.
“Some are chartering cruises to Antarctica; others are building niche experiences you can’t find elsewhere. Whatever success looks like to them, we’re here to support it.”
That entrepreneurial energy is what unites the network, and Queale is proud of the community they’re building together. Whether it’s bonding with Aussie members at Envoyage Australia’s recent New Year gatherings or forging connections at the group’s global member conference: Worldwide (2024 in Santiago, Chile and 2025 set for Sun City, South Africa), the sense of belonging runs deep.
Facing today’s challenges, together
The cost-of-living crisis, a saturated market, and ever-evolving tech are some of the challenges facing today’s travel advisors. For travel advisors who run their own businesses, the pressure to stay competitive and cut through the noise can be daunting.
Queale sees Envoyage’s role as both a business partner and safety net. “Our goal is to help them stand out and succeed. That means giving them the right tech, products, and tools, like our self-service marketing platform or our online collaboration tool for community building.”
Members enjoy exclusive first access to Cruise HQ campaigns, earn member-only commissions through Ignite, plus competitive Flight Centre rates that ensure they remain relevant and profitable. But beyond products, the focus is on building businesses with long-term sustainability.
“We want our members to be future-fit. That’s one of our values: endurance. Thriving in this industry means staying adaptable and connected. Culture is where success (and failure) starts.”
Looking ahead
With a growing global footprint, Queale has his sights set firmly on the future.
“Our goal is to be the home and heart of the travel industry for the independent world. Whether you’re just leaving retail to start out on your own, or you run an established agency with loyal clients and a large team, Envoyage should be the place where you feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.”
“When a member comes up to me and says, ‘What you’re doing is helping me achieve my goals,’ that’s everything. And when they tell me about how one of our team went above and beyond and the impact it made on their business, that’s when I know we’re getting it right.”
For more information, visit Envoyage.
