Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has today announced its commitment to in-destination experiences with the launch of a portfolio of new speciality businesses branded ‘The Travel Group’.
‘The Travel Group’ brings together Flight Centre businesses including Discova, The Travel Junction, Cross Hotels & Resorts, Back-Roads Touring and Topdeck.
Flight Centre Global Product leader Nick Lucock said the newly formed The Travel Group will “provide in-destination experiences like never before through hotels, tours, destination management and B2B product sales and support.”
Read on for a breakdown of the brands the newly formed ‘The Travel Group’ is bringing together.
DISCOVA
As the newest global destination management company (DMC), Discova was formed in July with the merger of Buffalo Tours, a long-time provider of customised tours in Asia, and Olympus Tours, a celebrated ground operator for Mexico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
“Discova has allowed us to expand our global reach so that we can remain at the forefront of in-destination travel services and connect our partners and customers to a world of possibilities through discovery and adventure. The new name represents a passion for our local people on the ground and global reach to service our business partners’’
Flight Centre Global Product leader Nick Lucock
“Discova delivers a range of services to our partners that includes day touring, transportation, extended touring, educational travel and MICE.
“Discova is also able to create tailor-made in-destination experiences. The strong position Buffalo Tours has had in responsible tourism will be carried into the new brand and complimented by working alongside Flight Centre Travel Groups already recognised Worldwise Charter.”
READ: DISCOVA: Flight Centre merges DMCs to form a powerhouse company
THE TRAVEL JUNCTION
The Travel Junction – ‘Connecting You’, was created to act as an intermediary linking travel seller outside of the traditional Flight Centre retail brands to the product powerhouse of the global procurement business with direct contracts in hotels, tours, experiences and cruise.
Mr Lucock said the continually expanding business offered a connectivity service for any travel B2B businesses or agents to access the company’s specialised, highly valued range of travel products across wide-reaching markets that may not have been feasible to access previously.
“The Travel Junction offers a single distribution point with superior customer-focused service to guide our partners through the entire product journey.
“The key focus is on minimising the current disadvantages seen within the market today and being caretakers for the end to end customer experience, from supplier to end traveller,’’ he said.
The Travel Group also offers travel experiences under two distinct group touring brands; Topdeck and Back-Roads.
READ: TRAVEL JUNCTION: Flight Centre targets outsider travel sellers with new division
TOPDECK & BACKROADS
An unexpected find near the Eiffel Tower. Paris 1984
Founded in 1973 by a group of friends (Guess who that was?!) with a double-decker bus and a passion for adventure, Topdeck has since grown to offer a variety of culturally rich planned trips spanning Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, industry stalwart Backroads has more than 30 years’ experience in small group tours across the UK, Europe, South East Asia and North America as a leading small group touring company.
Capped at 18 passengers, their personalised touring experiences let fascinating cultures, delicious flavours and unexplored terrain have always been an agent favourite.
CROSS HOTELS AND RESORTS
Le Bay Buri, Hua Hin
Cross Hotels and Resorts is Flight Centre’s regional Asian-Pacific hotel management company, which currently operates 24 three and a half to five-star hotels across three distinct brands.
Yep, you heard it right. Flight Centre now owns its own properties with Cross, Cross Vibe and Away Resorts targeting the luxury, urbane and beach style traveller in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
“With a focus on the responsible partnerships, superior customer experience, support and personalised service that FCTG is famous for, the Travel Group provides a comprehensive one-stop-shop for memorable in-destination experiences world-wide.’’
Flight Centre Global Product leader Nick Lucock
Flight Centre Travel Group says there’s more to come with many more properties in the pipeline for any travel provider or agent to book.
READ: FLIGHT CENTRE HOTELS: The group now has TWO properties in Bangkok
Find out more: www.crosshotelsandresorts.com