Flight Centre Associates SA aims high

THE Flight Centre Travel
Group’s (FCTG) ITC
brand has grown to 66
ITCs in South Africa since
it was launched in August
2012. It was the second
Flight Centre Associates
brand launched worldwide
based on the model
introduced in Canada in
2011.
Chantal Gouws, area
leader for the brand in
South Africa, says it
initially started with five
consultants, a number
that has now expanded to
66, growing by 26% in the
last year alone. Initially
most ITCs were recruited
internally from within FCTG
but for the last few years
Chantal has employed
a recruitment strategy,
resulting in a present split
of about 40% of ITCs being
sourced from external
sources.
She says while initially
most recruits were
based in and around
Johannesburg, Nelspruit
has grown into a stronghold
for the brand, with eight
ITCs based in the city. The
group has also gained
market share in the
Western Cape, growing
the Associates team in
this region from six to 18
consultants in the past six
months.
The South African
Associates team also
reflects a 52% increase
year to date compared with
last year. The team is now
tracking in the top 10 most
improved specialist global
brands within FCTG and is
hoping to take home the
award at this year’s global
conference.