- Flight Centre (FLT) prepares to launch its travel management business in Japan, continuing its strategic expansion within the Asian corporate travel sector
- The launch of FCM travel management will be carried out through a JV with NSF Engagement Corporate
- The full FCM product and service suite is set to be introduced over the coming months which will include FCM’s proprietary platform
- FCM Japan will operate from January 2022 and will be headed by general manager Kenichi Shiraishi, who is the leader of NSF’s travel business
- Shares were trading 0.5 per cent higher at $16.99 at market close
Flight Centre (FLT) is planning to launch its travel management business in Japan, marking a step forward in its strategic expansion within the Asian corporate travel sector.
The launch of FLT’s Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) travel management business will be carried out through a joint venture with Tokyo-based company NSF Engagement Corporate.
Following the launch, Japan will be the 97th country in FCM’s global network.
Flight Centre said Japan is the world’s fourth largest corporate travel market and it expects this access will enhance the company’s ability to win new local, regional and multi-national accounts.
Commenting on the announcement, FLT managing director Graham Turner said the company believes this will become a very significant business and a valuable addition to its Asian network, which also includes businesses in China, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
Additionally, FCM Asia managing director Bertrand Saillet said FLT’s investment in Japan at the beginning of the post-COVID recovery phase underlines the new business’s future importance to the company.
“Choosing to expand FCM’s network in Asia at this critical time speaks volumes of the tremendous potential Japan has and the role the country will play in our global corporate strategy in the future.”
Moving forward, the full FCM product and service suite is set to be introduced over the coming months which will include FCM’s proprietary platform.
FCM Japan will operate from January 2022 and will be headed by general manager Kenichi Shiraishi, who is currently the leader of NSF Engagement’s corporate travel business and is set to be officially appointed by the newly formed FCM Japan board of directors.
NSF Engagement Corporation CEO and president Shigeru Hiromatsu said there is considerable synergy between NSF and FCM.
“FCM’s unconventional, innovative and flexible DNA resonates deeply with NSF
Engagement Corporation’s belief that it is possible to use New Standards for Engagement to break through conventional concepts through technological capabilities while building a strong business with sustainable growth.”
“We are excited to partner with FCM to leverage the business’s technology and global expertise to facilitate expansion and penetrate the high potential Japanese business travel sector.”
Shares were trading 0.5 per cent higher at $16.99 at market close.