ADDRESSING shareholders at Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) Annual General Meeting this morning, CEO Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner said among the new shops will be as many as 18 Travel Money Oz branded outlets.
Turner shared that, while the company was “generally happy” with the current size of the Flight Centre shop network, there were growth opportunities both in Australia and in the UK, via the resurgent Cruiseabout brand.
Across the existing network, Turner added the company was looking to bring on more staff in time for the peak selling season in the first half of 2025.
Further investments will see FCTG spend around $100 million on other CapEx needs, with tech and systems likely to see major updates across the group.
Turner flagged the use of AI as a growth area to boost the company’s sales volumes.
“We are also leveraging machine learning, AI, and natural language processing to enhance our consultants’ effectiveness in highlighting options for customers and to improve conversion,” he explained.
“In relation to AI, a number of programs are in place within our corporate and leisure businesses aiming to improve our efficiency and to augment the services that we provide.”
Shareholders were provided with a preliminary trading update, with Turner stating FCTG was now aiming for a full-year profit before tax of between $365 million and $405 million.
If even the mid-point of this forecast was achieved, Turner said this would set a new company record, eclipsing the $384.7 million recorded in FY18.
FCTG added momentum was building toward the target, with basket sizes increasing in its leisure shop network and enquiry levels remaining healthy.
