CRUISEABOUT has opened its Carindale store, the brand’s second in Qld, as it prepares to double in size next year.
The new store, located in Westfield Carindale, rounds out the total number of Cruiseabout locations nationally to four, with the brand also preparing to open an additional two stores in the coming months.
New locations will open in North Lakes, Queensland; and Narallen, NSW – the brand’s first store in the state, completing Cruiseabouts in Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.
“Next year will see further growth as we effectively double the size of our current business,” the brand’s General Manager Brad Kennedy said.
“Opening Cruiseabout Carindale yesterday was the perfect way to close out what’s been an exceptional first year of operations,” he added.
“Cruising remains the fastest growing sector in the travel industry, so we know we are investing in a strong future for this brand.”
Cruiseabout is also building a second contact centre team over the next few months.
“We’ll be looking to welcome a contingent of cruise specialists to the team over the coming months, so I’d encourage anyone looking for a new opportunity to reach out and keep an eye on the exciting developments to come,” Kennedy said.
“We have an incredible team of ‘Cruiseaders’ and I have to thank all of them for their commitment to our business over the past year – there really has never been a more exciting time to work in the cruise industry.”
Team Leader of the new Carindale store, Kelsey McColl, said she’s looking forward to being involved in the expansion of Cruiseabout.
“I’ve been working in Flight Centre stores across Queensland for eight years and am excited to take on a new challenge at Cruiseabout,” she enthused.
“I love cruising, so it just made sense to focus on my speciality and to be a part of the emerging brand’s future.
“Helping my customers find the right cruise and supporting my team to do the same is something I’m genuinely passionate about and can’t wait to do every day alongside my team.”
Cruiseabout’s parent company Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has seen a 20% uplift in cruise booking value YOY, and has cited cruise as a growth priority.
FCTG last month acquired Cruise Club UK, which will see it attempt to replicate its Ignite model. MS