Danielle Galloway: Envoyage is ‘just getting started with’ shopfront openings

Danielle Galloway: Envoyage is ‘just getting started with’ shopfront openings
Edited by Travel Weekly


When Covid happened the travel shopfront was one of the hardest areas of the travel industry hit. However, in more recent times, there are signs that the travel shopfront might be making a gallant return.

In this interview, Travel Weekly chats with Flight Centre Travel Group’s global managing director of luxury and independent brands Danielle Galloway on Envoyage’s future shopfront expansion plans following the opening of its first store in Western Australia.

With all the talks about travel tech and going online, why did you see the demand for a brick-and-mortar store?

Our model is designed for passionate travel entrepreneurs who value flexibility and independence. Given Flight Centre Travel Group’s legacy and experience in brick-and-mortar retail, it was a natural step to give our Envoyage members the choice to invest in physical stores under our aspirational brand, but with the freedom to run the business their way.

Across the Group you’ll see we’ve invested in a range of business models, from exclusively online, to hybrid and in-store only. We believe that different customers want different experiences and at Envoyage we’re creating a network and ecosystem where our members can adapt their offering to any of these, as they choose.

Physical stores also play a key role in making a brand more visible. Since launching earlier this year the Envoyage brand has established itself among the industry as trusted and credible, it’s time we extend that awareness to consumers. We see a future where awareness and loyalty from Australian travellers coupled with the dedication of our experienced members sees Envoyage open shop fronts across the country.

Why did you choose Mandurah as the location for your first shop?

Envoyage Mandurah was the perfect location for our launch because the ambitions of business owners Sam and Clive aligned perfectly with the unique experience offered only with Envoyage. The incredible duo already had two successful stores at Mandurah Forum and Rockingham Centre and were ready to take their business to the next level. We are thrilled to have them join the Envoyage family and be the face of our first ever shopfronts.
I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the store and it was wonderful to meet all of Sam and Clive’s existing clients. Speaking with them, it’s clear there’s a strong appetite for travel in the community and we’re really looking forward to seeing how they’ll continue to build on their loyal client base under the Envoyage name.

We saw a lot of shops close during Covid, how can the industry rebuild trust with consumers about the longevity of in-person shops?

COVID was an incredibly difficult time for the travel industry, but at Flight Centre Travel Group a silver lining was that it forced us to really look at our footprint and be discerning and strategic about our store network. In our post pandemic experience existing FCTG customers have flooded back to their trusted travel advisors in store. Providing in-person service is at the heart of our value proposition so our shops aren’t going anywhere.

It’s undeniable that brick-and-mortar elevates the customer experience. There’s huge value in being able to walk into a store and speak to a consultant in person, this is especially true for high value and complex bookings.

Envoyage is the next frontier of this journey and we’re confident that our locations, having been carefully selected, are set to become successful legacy establishments customers can rely on.

Are you planning any more stores? How does this factor into your growth strategy?

We are just getting started and soon enough we’ll have even more stores popping up around the country. An important part of our growth strategy is building on our consumer presence so that members with or without physical locations can leverage the strength of the brand. Naturally, the more stores we open, the more visible our brand will be and in turn, the more successful our members will become.

 

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]