Flight centre SA the first to open new store globally

The Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) South Africa has become the first of the Flight Centre Travel Group globally to open a new retail store since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Flight Centre store opened in the Mall of Africa on 01 November 2021 – the only travel agency in the shopping centre.

“We have seen incredible pent-up demand for travel in recent weeks and months as the world begins to open up once more,” says Bianca Mazur, Flight Centre General Manager.
“Flight Centre South Africa is now the first Flight Centre globally to open a new bricks and mortar store since the start of the pandemic, so this is a really exciting time for us.”

“While we did have a store in Mall of Africa prior to the pandemic, the location wasn’t the best. We’re now opening a brand-new store in the centre in a fantastic location, opposite the new Checkers. We’ll also be the only travel agency in the mall to date so are looking forward to servicing the needs of the many customers that frequent the 300 retail shops in this award-winning space.”

“There’s actually never been a better time to open a new bricks and mortar store,” says Mazur. “We have been completely inundated with enquiries and bookings since the UK opened to South Africa a few weeks ago and we’ve seen this pent-up demand for travel growing substantially in recent months as more countries have opened to us, including South African bestsellers such as Mauritius and Thailand.

“Travel remains highly complex, more so than it’s ever been before,” emphasizes Mazur. “Travellers are realizing the necessity of consulting ASATA accredited travel experts when it comes to any travel. We’ve also observed that many customers prefer face to face, in-person interactions with a Travel Expert than interacting or booking online.”

The new Mall of Africa store will be staffed by five highly experienced travel consultants with around 38 years of combined travel experience between them.

Team Leader at the store, Mpume Conco, said: “I’m so excited at this opportunity and am incredibly proud of what Flight Centre has achieved during these difficult times, keeping doors open and serving customers. It’s really exciting that things are starting to look better and get back to where they used to be.”

“Whether you prefer to interact online or speak to a Travel Expert face to face, please call us or come into our stores across the country,” says Mazur. “We look forward to serving even more customers through our new store.”

The Mall of Africa Flight Centre store becomes the 47^th retail Flight Centre store, with 350 Travel Experts serving customers across the country.