Mercury (Hobart)

Flight Centre sets course for Japanese corporates

- LISA ALLEN

FLIGHT Centre is turning more of its attention to the corporate sector as the Covid pandemic continues to trash global tourism, launching a new business travel management joint venture in Japan.

Japan is the world’s fourthlarg­est corporate travel market, said Flight Centre, which is about to open for business with its FCM Travel brand after striking a joint venture deal with Tokyo’s NSF Engagement Corporatio­n.

“Japan is a key corporate market because of its size and importance within the global economy as a business hub for multinatio­nal companies,” Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner said.

Mr Turner said that by securing an equity position in Japan, Flight Centre would enhance its ability to win new local, regional and multinatio­nal accounts while also gaining greater control over the service it provides to existing Japanese customers.

“We believe this will become a very significan­t business and a valuable addition to our Asian network,” he said.

The new Japanese joint venture will operate from January 2022. Flight Centre shares closed up 9c at $16.99.

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