Flight Centre Independent

05/11/2024

ICONS 2024 is underway! This magical experience at the Heritance Aarah Maldives is the perfect setting to celebrate our remarkable winners as we reflect on a year of growth and community.

23/10/2024

As GM of Flight Centre Independent (FCI) South Africa, Chantal Gouws is shaping the future of the travel agent industry with her forward-thinking approach. In a recent feature for Travel News, she highlights three critical ways travel advisers can thrive in a competitive market:

Personalisation – “Tailored experiences that speak to individual travellers' interests are key.”

Specialisation – Focusing on niche markets like luxury, adventure, or eco-friendly travel to stand out.

Technology – Leveraging advanced digital tools to streamline operations while offering a high-touch service.

Discover more of Chantal’s insights and how FCI South Africa is leading the way in travel innovation.

Read the full article here: https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/how-travel-agents-can-stand-out-crowd

South Africa’s travel agent industry is a competitive landscape, featuring both large players and niche specialists. The industry also faces stiff competition from OTAs, so how can travel agents and

16/10/2024

Latest Feature in Travel News Weekly! 🚨

Curious about where South Africans are heading for their end-of-year holidays? Our very own Chantal Gouws, GM of FCI South Africa, shares insights in the latest edition of Travel News Weekly!

With Mauritius holding strong as the number-one destination and Cape Town rising to the second spot, Chantal highlights what makes these locations so appealing for South African travellers. 🇲🇺

Read the full article to discover more, including why Mauritius' visa-free access and family-friendly resorts continue to charm holidaymakers. 🏖️✈️

Click here to find out more https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/sa-wants-mauritian-magic

Mauritius remains immovable from its position as the number-one spot for South Africans’ end-of-year summer holidays. We asked our readers in a recent poll where their clients wanted to go for the

09/10/2024

Staying ahead of travel trends gives independent advisors a competitive edge!

In today's fast-evolving travel industry, it's not just about offering great service—it's about understanding and applying the latest trends to create personalised, standout experiences.

Learn how tapping into trends like sustainable travel, emerging destinations, and pricing insights can set you apart. 🏝️🔍
Read more 👇
https://www.flightcentreindependent.co.za/2024/09/19/tapping-into-travel-trends/

Independent travel advisors have long excelled at offering personalised travel experiences that large-scale booking platforms can’t match. However, as the industry shifts, advisors are finding that expertise and exceptional service aren’t enough to remain competitive. — Tapping into Travel Tre...

03/10/2024

We're proud to be featured in this Travel News Weekly article that discusses the importance of experience over qualifications in the travel industry.

Our team’s insights highlight our commitment to professional development and the high standards we uphold for travel consultants.

Check out the full story to see why we're at the forefront of industry trends!
https://bit.ly/4dn6WQp

While most companies look for some form of qualification when recruiting travel agents, the consensus among local industry players seems to be that experience outweighs qualification. Travel agencies

01/10/2024

The countdown to Icons 2025 is on!

While it may be over a year away, excitement is already building for this prestigious event, set to take place at the breathtaking 12 Apostles in Cape Town.

With an exclusive itinerary of luxury and adventure, it promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our top achievers.

Curious to know what’s in store? Click through to the article featured in Travel News Weekly and get a sneak peek into this incredible event!
https://bit.ly/3ZCxFp0

Flight Centre Independent (FCI) has announced that its 2025 ‘Icons’ event will take place in Cape Town from September 8-11. Icons rewards the brand’s top 50 global achievers and will be held at the

24/09/2024

Happy Heritage Day, South Africa!

Today we celebrate our rich and diverse cultural heritage, a vibrant tapestry woven from countless traditions, languages, and stories. It’s this unique blend that makes our nation so special and reminds us of the strength that comes from unity in diversity.

Let’s embrace the power of our heritage to inspire, uplift, and bring us together as one people.

23/09/2024

We had an incredible gathering at the Mythos Greek Restaurant in Waterfall Wilds, Johannesburg!

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful sponsors: TIC, Club Med, Cruises International, and Delta Air Lines, for making this event truly special.

Here's to fantastic partnerships and even better memories! 🥂✨

16/09/2024

We had a fantastic get-together at the beautiful Life Grand Cafe!

A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors: Delta, Cruises International, Globus Family of Brands, and TIC for making it such a special event. Here's to great partnerships and even greater memories! 💼🌍🍴

11/09/2024

The Future of Travel is Here: AI – Threat or Opportunity? 🤖

Our latest blog dives deep into the rise of AI travel assistants and what it means for independent travel consultants. From ChatGPT to Google's Gemini, the advancements in AI are transforming the travel industry. But is it a threat to your business or an opportunity to elevate your services?

Discover how you can harness AI technology to enhance your role as a travel expert and offer clients something no AI can—your irreplaceable human touch.

Read the full blog here:
https://bit.ly/3Zjwbja

Flight Centre Independent explores AI travel assistants: Are they a threat or opportunity for travel agents? Discover how independent travel consultants can thrive in the AI era. — The rise of AI travel assistants – threat or opportunity? — Flight Centre Independent

04/09/2024

✨ Exciting News! ✨

We’re thrilled to announce that the beautiful Mother City will be the host city for Icons 2025!

From 8-11 September, our top 50 global achievers will experience the luxury of the five-star 12 Apostles Hotel, alongside unforgettable adventures in Cape Town and its stunning wine regions. 🍷

Don't miss the full story—check out our video and blog for more details! 🌍 https://bit.ly/3Zie5Oq

03/09/2024

Explore the Future of Travel with Flight Centre Independent! 🌍

South African travellers are increasingly choosing tailored, niche travel experiences over traditional holiday packages. From solo adventures to wellness retreats and sustainable tourism, the demand for personalised journeys is skyrocketing.

Want to know how this trend is reshaping the travel industry and what it means for you?

Check out our latest feature in Business Explainer, where Chantal Gouws, General Manager at FCI, shares insights on how ITCs are leading the charge in crafting unforgettable, specialised itineraries.

https://bit.ly/3Z8gQ4Z

South African travellers are increasingly rejecting generic holiday packages in favor of tailored, niche travel experiences. Industry experts predict that by 2025, there will be a surge in demand for personalized adventures, solo travels, wellness retreats, culinary tours, and sustainable tourism. C...

20/08/2024

Travel News Weekly's Latest Feature: Our Most Anticipated Event of the Year! 🎉

We’re thrilled that Travel News Weekly's latest feature spotlights our incredible Annual Awards ceremony! Held on 3 August at Montecasino in Johannesburg, the event was a night to remember, celebrating our ITCs, support staff, and suppliers in true style.

Themed ‘African Dream,’ the evening was filled with breathtaking glitz and glamour, reflecting the vibrant spirit and unity of our community. Thank you to everyone who made the night so special!



https://bit.ly/3WYvZDs

16/08/2024

Empowering Independent Travel Consultants

In today's dynamic travel industry, Independent Travel Consultants (ITCs) are emerging as a powerful force, combining the expertise of traditional travel agents with the entrepreneurial spirit of independent professionals.

While ITCs enjoy the freedom to steer their own course, independence doesn't mean isolation.

Aligning with a reputable host agency like Flight Centre Independent (FCI) provides ITCs with the autonomy they seek and robust support systems to enhance their success.

Chantal Gouws, our General Manager, explains, “At Flight Centre Independent, we empower our ITCs to consistently upskill and keep up with evolving industry trends. We also offer 24/7 ticketing and provide the best possible travel rates to ensure our ITCs’ businesses remain competitive.

Additionally, we allow them to select a branded or unbranded partnership with us. The goal is to optimise flexibility for our independents in every aspect of their business.”

14/08/2024

Flight Centre Branded is an independent model within the Flight Centre brand that enables experienced travel experts to operate their own travel business with the backing of an international travel company.

Sell premium travel with FCTG’s negotiated content, managing your customers, using Flight Centre’s state of the art operating and banking systems.

If you are an experienced travel consultant – this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to grow your travel business.

13/08/2024

Thank you to Travel News by TNW for the awesome coverage of our National Awards.

13/08/2024

Reflecting on an incredible week of strategic planning at Safari Plains Game Lodge with our global and local teams!

From brainstorming under the African sky to forging new pathways in the independent travel space, the week was nothing short of inspiring.
Amidst the beauty of the African bushveld, Safari Plains was the perfect setting for our time together.

Here's to forging ahead with renewed energy and vision.