THE Flight Centre Travel Group
is making a foray into the
online space.
The group, traditionally a brickand-mortar retail business, is
diversifying its offering with the
launch of a new “seamless allin-one travel experience” online
booking platform that allows
dynamic packaging.
Flight Centre SA has been
chosen as the second market to
roll out the project, after the UK.
A two-step roll-out will take
place. The tool will be made
available via FCTG consultants
early next year, with agents using
it to book travel for their clients
in-store. The project will then be
rolled out to consumers through
the Flight Centre website and
app.
In its first phase, the project
will give consultants access to
a single platform to access a
wide range of products, meaning
they will not have to navigate
between multiple platforms when
packaging trips.
“In one search, all pre-packaged
product, including air, hotel,
transfers and experiences, will
be available to our travel experts
servicing customers. The system
will return dynamic, static and
bundled offers that will link into a
CRM tool,” says Sue Garrett, gm
of marketing and product, who is
spearheading the project.
The project is a move to
recapture business lost through
direct bookings and to simplify
the current booking process for
clients, says Sue.
“We believe in a blended service
experience for our customers, so
whether they choose to book with
us on or offline, the technology
used to deliver the options will
align,” she says.
When the project enters its
second phase, the platform
will allow customers to either
book existing product or create
dynamic packages online.
Airfares, accommodation,
transfers, coach tours and more
will be available on the system.
“The customer will benefit
from having direct availability of
the best prices from the widest
choice of product with easy
payment options,” says Sue.
