Flight Centre Limited ventures
into India leisure travel segment

New Delh: Global travel retailer Flight Centre Limited has boosted its presence in India by expanding into the country's emerging leisure travel sector. The company, which operates successfully in India through its corporate travel business FCm Travel Solutions, has today opened its first leisure travel shop in the country. The shop is located in New Delhi and will trade under the Flight Shop banner.

Flight Centre Limited's Global Managing Director Graham Turner said that entry into the Indian leisure travel market represented the company's first international expansion in the leisure sector since opening in the United States in 1999. "Developing a presence in India is a small and strategic investment for Flight Centre Limited." Mr. Turner said.

"We see potential to provide a valued service to the leisure travel market and to build on the success we have experienced in the corporate travel sector in the country. With the Flight Centre name unavailable in India, the Flight Shop branding appropriately conveyed the company's services to the Indian market." Mr. Turner said. The Flight Shop outlets will operate alongside the FCm Travel Solutions business, which is headed by Rahul Nath. FCm's Vice President, Gaurav Luthra will head the leisure operation.

According to Mr. Luthra, "Visitors to Flight Shop could expect excellent holiday bargains, with the expert consultants arranging everything from airfares, accommodation and package holidays to car hire and visas. The Flight Shop's expert service will be backed by a value proposition of ' Our Perfect Holiday Promise - enjoy the holiday you paid for or we'll give you a Rs. 1500 voucher'", Mr. Luthra said.

After starting out with just one store 25 years ago, Flight Centre Limited has enjoyed remarkable growth. In its most recent full-year result announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange, the company revealed record sales and profit figures.