Global retail travel agency group Flight Centre will open its first branch in Ireland at 2 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, in the first week of August and General Manager Ireland John Appleby told Irish Travel Trade News that 25-30 staff will be employed in the first year, following a recruitment drive in mid-to-late June.
Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group expects to surpass its annual sales record by $1.4 billion during 2015/16. The company announced today that total transaction value for the year to 30th June 2016 is expected to exceed $19 billion globally (FY15: $17.6 billion), despite subdued trading conditions in some markets.
“Flight Centre Travel Group has nearly 3,000 stores globally, including some 80 in Britain, and 35 brands, including FCm Travel Solutions for corporate travel,” said John Appleby. “Global turnover is around AUS$19 billion and in the UK £1 billion, so we have strong buying power.
“We have a ‘global reach / local touch’ business model focused on customer service and will be aiming primarily at the long-haul holiday business out of Ireland and secondly at providing great value air fares.
“We will hold an open day for potential staff, who will include some part-time workers, but not home workers – although the group does utilize home workers in Australia under the Escapes brand. Leading up to our August opening in Dublin there will be a big promotion drive.”
ITTN expects Flight Centre to open a number of branches in Ireland over the next two to three years, with Cork probably the location of the second branch.
