Leading Agent jumps ship from Harvey World Travel to join Flight Centre
One of Australia’s largest travel industry franchisees has announced their departure from Harvey World Travel while also announcing becoming part of Flight Centre Limited’s new franchising operation.
Debbie Giudes, the owner of 10 travel agencies between Brisbane and Cairns, has decided to switch her agencies to Flight Centre Limited’s Escape Travel brand, with nine agencies previously trading under the Harvey World Travel banner, with the 10th under The Travel Professionals.
Flight Centre Limited Franchising Executive GM Mark Aponas said Ms Giudes’ decision represented a significant step in the development of Escape Travel’s franchise model, adding “Debbie is a highly respected and award winning businesswoman with a proven record of success with her agencies having a strong commitment to customer service and are fantastic additions to the Escape Travel network.” “The fact that Debbie has decided to take her businesses forward under the Escape Travel banner is a reflection of the value proposition we are able to offer high calibre franchisees.”
Ms Giudes employs 70 people in her 10 agencies, with locations including: four in Townsville, two in Cairns, two in Rockhampton, one in Mackay and one in Brisbane at Arana Hills.
Ms Giudes said she looked forward to the beginning of a new era of growth, saying, “I am excited by the opportunities that are on offer with Escape Travel and with Flight Centre Limited and this will allow our agencies to build on their successes of the past and, at the same time, draw on the expertise and experience Flight Centre Limited can offer.”
Flight Centre Limited’s franchising business was launched in December 2005 to complement the company’s organic growth in the Escape Travel brand and with the addition of Ms Giudes’ stores, Escape Travel now has 85 Australian agencies.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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