23rd October 2017- Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) has today announced plans to create more than 30 new roles to facilitate its expansion in Ireland.
The company, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, plans to expand its Dublin-centred leisure and corporate travel footprint over the next five years as part of a dedicated growth strategy in Ireland.
The expansion will take FLT’s workforce in the country beyond 100-people and will set the company up for further longer term growth.
This announcement follows a trade mission to Australia with Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD, Martin Shanahan CEO of IDA Ireland as part of the State Visit by President Michael D. Higgins to Australia and is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) is one of the world’s largest travel agency groups with operations in 23 countries and a corporate travel management network in 90 countries. The company anticipates clear growth opportunities in Ireland and is now choosing to reinvest in its Irish operations. The skills required for the new roles include; Trained Travel Agents, IT staff, Finance staff, Sales & Marketing and Administration staff.
Welcoming the announcement An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD said: “Ireland welcomes quality Foreign Direct Investment from around the world and it was a pleasure to meet the senior leadership teams of so many companies during my Investment Mission to Australia last week. International travel is growing fast but also changing dramatically too, especially with the advent of the Internet. Flight Centre Travel Group are one of the world leaders in this evolving industry and I am delighted that they will create an additional 30 jobs over the next 5 years in their Irish operation. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship as they grow their business here.”
Valerie Metcalfe, Managing Director of FCM Ireland said: “FCTG prides itself on its unique positive, egalitarian and highly ethical culture which promotes the development, wellbeing and retention of staff, sustainable and environment friendly business practices, and focused service excellence for our clients. FCTG’s globally renowned retail leisure travel brand, Flight Centre, which opened its Dublin operation in August 2016, will also see sustained growth of staff numbers and turnover more than trebling in the next five years.”
Founder of Flight Centre Graham “Skroo” Turner welcomed the news saying: “I am incredibly proud of all the hard working employees at Flight Centre Travel Group who have made the company what it is today. We have developed an excellent relationship with Ireland over the past few years and today’s announcement will offer new exciting opportunities for employees to work in innovative internationally focused roles. I look forward to welcoming further growth over the coming years.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland speaking from Brisbane said: “I was delighted to be able to meet with the Flight Centre team here in Australia and to welcome this new investment. Ireland is very proud of the strong ties it has with Australia, and IDA Ireland has seen increased investment from Australia over the past two years. Our shared values and cultural synergy position Ireland as the ideal solution for Australian companies looking to access the European market in a post Brexit era.
Ireland is one of the best places in the world to do business. We know that because international surveys consistently place us in the top half dozen locations and, more importantly because the companies that have invested here have told us so.
I wish Flight Centre well with their continued growth.”
Niall Gibbons CEO Tourism Ireland said “that Flight Centre is an important partner in the Australian market and I am delighted to see the continued growth of their presence in Ireland.”
About Flight Centre:
Founded in 1982, FCTG has grown to become one of the world’s largest travel companies, with over 30 brands in its portfolio and 22,000 staff globally. Headquartered in Brisbane, the company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange with an annual total turnover of $AUD 20 billion (2017) and operates in 90 countries. For more information please visit: https://www.flightcentreireland.ie/
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY IDA IRELAND Press Office Mark Kelly