Around 80 per cent of Travel Associates agents who were part of the Virtuoso network departed at the beginning of the year and are set to join Flight Centre Travel Group’s Luxury Travel Collection (LTC).
The shift bolsters FCTG’s luxury travel portfolio, which includes Travel Associates and LTC, aligning with the company’s focus on strengthening its position in the growing global luxury travel market.
The Travel Associates agents joined the Virtuoso network as an initial stepping-stone into the luxury market in 2021.
One luxury travel source said the move was triggered by a shift in FCTG’s luxury strategy evolution that will see agents use an in-house service, akin to that of the Virtuoso network.
A Flight Centre Travel Group insider told Travel Weekly that the reported numbers of around 80 per cent, or 50 agents exiting, was accurate.
FCTG announces foundation cohort of new Luxury Travel Collection
The LTC agency network was established just over a year ago with foundation members including: Carole and Phil Smethurst with Bicton Travel and Claremont Travel & Cruise; Stuart Ingram and Destination HQ; Stephen Green and Travel Experts and Hilary and Holly Weir of Dream Maker Travel.
There are now a total of 15 members in the Luxury Travel Collection, which describes itself as the leading global house of luxury travel brands, backed by Flight Centre Travel Group Limited.
Rachel Kingswell is the general manager of Travel Associates, which describes itself as, “a boutique travel agency with a total focus on uncompromising customer service bringing together the most knowledgeable and well travelled advisors across Australia.”
Virtuoso declined to comment when contacted by Travel Weekly.
Additional reporting: Sofia Geraghty
Feature image: Travel Associates transforms Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal to launch luxury cruise season. Rachel Kingswell (centre).
