WorldVentures had a long term plan for Australia when it set up in the market two years ago – open a small office, build clients over time and one day open a larger space to accommodate dozens of staff members.
But a 400 percent spike in memberships over the last two years pushed those long-term plans forward a few years, forcing the company to make changes sooner than expected.
Speaking to KarryOn, the company’s General Manager of Asia Pacific, Anthony Fitzgerald said the response Down Under exceeded predictions, with some 10,000 Australian members signing up to the invitation-only travel club in two years, making Australia one of the fastest growing markets for the business.
He said, the company has had to look at ways to accommodate and foster that unpredicted boom, which has led WorldVentures to commence a search for roughly 20 new staff members to join the team over the coming months.
New hires will vary from customer support staff, to sales support staff, sales leadership staff, marketing employees and administration.
In addition to demonstrating travel-related experience and in some cases destination knowledge, Fitzgerald said it’s important for all team members to share the company’s love of travel, a passion which will be nurtured in the Homebush office where bright colours, pictures and resort-inspired decor create a relaxed, holiday-like environment.
Fitzgerald said WorldVentures has put a lot of time and energy into creating the perfect space for its staff and members where everyone feels “welcome” and the “best work” can be produced.
Upon arriving at the Homebush office, people are greeting by an 85-inch TV monitor that plays desirable images of various holiday destinations from open to close. There’s grass deck chairs in social areas and pictures of staff and members on vacation, which are designed to make it feel like employees are always on vacation.
“The brief I gave the designers was to create an environment where a member could come in and it would integrate the Australian lifestyle culture with WorldVentures as well as making it feel like you’re on vacation.”
Anthony Fitzgerald, WorldVentures General Manager of Asia Pacific
“We’re growing so quickly and the space is both for staff and to make members feel welcome. The objective was to create an environment they can do the best work.”
Meanwhile, over the next year, Fitzgerald is predicting the company will sell some 250 ‘Dream Trips’ to its members while continuing to expand its member database.
With Australia going strong, the GM revealed that the business is hoping to work towards opening an office in New Zealand.