Flight Centre looks to offload Melbourne office, as Universal Traveller closes its doors

Flight Centre looks to offload Melbourne office, as Universal Traveller closes its doors

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) is considering the sale of its Melbourne office tower to help the company survive amid the coronavirus crisis.

The Australian Financial Review reported that FCTG has begun testing the market for the office building, and is hoping to sell it for as much as $60 million.

The travel behemoth forked out $31.3 million for the property in 2008, according to the AFR, which currently includes its Corporate Traveller brand and travel agency Stage & Screen Travel as tenants.

An FCTG spokesperson told Travel Weekly: “We have indicated that we would consider selling the property to strengthen our financial position if the opportunity arose.”

The news comes as FCTG’s Universal Traveller announced it was closing its doors and “moving in with our parents over at Flight Centre in the next few weeks”.

“By combining forces, we’re going to create a stronger Flight Centre brand for all of our customers,” the brand’s website says.

“We’ll be able to provide you with even more expertise and even sweeter deals.”

Universal Traveller was established just last year to replace FCTG’s Student Flights offering, and encouraged staff to become “travel influencers” by proactively using social media channels to inspire clients.

Last week, FCTG announced a three-pronged plan to overcome the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak, which includes closing roughly 30 per cent of its leisure outlets across multiple brands in Australia.

FCTG has also requested an extension on the voluntary suspension of its shares so it can continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]