At Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), we don’t believe your education ends when you graduate—it simply evolves. That’s the thinking behind Fast Track, our Graduate Leadership Programme designed to shape the next generation of business leaders across our global network. If you’re ambitious, curious, and ready to lead, Fast Track offers the support, exposure and challenge you need to accelerate your career. Fast Track is for individuals with the aspiration, ambition and potential to be our future senior leadership team. We identify these people early on in their careers and provide them with development opportunities, experiences and guidance to help them accelerate their pathway through the company. Our commitment to the personal and professional development of our people is one of the core reasons FCTG have featured in Great Place to Work for over 10 years. "Consider Fast Track as an extension of your education; a business school that pays you a competitive, full-time salary. We invite you to join our global travel company and learn all you need to know about the exciting industry we’re passionate about, learn how to run a successful business, lead a high performing team, and help you to build a professional profile you’re proud of.” — Will Leonelli, People + Culture Leader What is Fast Track? Fast Track is not your typical graduate scheme. It’s a career management programme that runs alongside FCTG’s Management & Leadership Pathway, aimed at guiding high-potential individuals from entry-level roles through to senior leadership in just ten years. This is an opportunity to learn by doing—through real roles, real challenges, and real responsibility. We invest in you with a blend of hands-on experience, one-to-one mentoring, strategic career coaching, peer learning and facilitated development. Our goal? To prepare you to become a future regional or global leader within FCTG. How the Programme Works 💼 On-the-Job Development Fast Trackers complete placements in Sales or Operations, building a deep understanding of the core drivers of our business. Once you've developed this foundation, you'll have the opportunity to move into a different area of the business to broaden your experience and continue your leadership development. 🌟 Senior Leader Mentoring From day one, you’ll be paired with a senior mentor who’ll support and challenge you through regular one-to-one sessions, providing honest feedback and career insight. 📅 Development Days Twice a year, the Fast Track community comes together for immersive workshops. These sessions include business updates from FCTG leaders, peer presentations, and collaborative learning to boost confidence and capability. “The Development Days are invaluable! Being able to present my progress and goals to mentors and peers helps me to measure my success so far. The personal and professional development workshops are always a highlight.” — Rosie Stone, Europe Head of Revenue Management 🤝 Peer Networking & CPD You’ll learn as much from your peers as from your mentors. Fast Track encourages a culture of self-directed development, where participants support one another and take ownership of their growth through continuous professional development (CPD). Mentoring: Learning from the Top Mentoring is one of the most valuable aspects of Fast Track. Every participant is paired with a senior leader from across the FCTG business, giving you direct access to some of the most experienced and influential people in the company. Your mentor helps you manage your long-term career progression, exposes you to key business strategies, and provides honest, developmental feedback to accelerate your leadership potential. Alongside your mentor, your day-to-day development is supported by your business leader—ensuring you’re constantly growing in both strategic thinking and operational skill. “My mentor, Will Leonelli, has been incredibly supportive since the start of my career. Always approachable and encouraging, he regularly takes the time to check in with me, offering guidance and showing genuine interest in my progress and future plans.” — Shameer Jafar, Global Campaigns Manager, FCM Travel The Fast Track Journey: Suzanne Crockett Starting out as a Travel Consultant at the Ealing store, Suzanne worked her way up to Store Manager, then Area Leader. From there, she transitioned into the tech space and is now Head of Technology for UK & Ireland, having also served as a Fast Track mentor since 2022. “Fast Track provided me with a network of people across the business and helped me understand the ‘bigger picture’ much more effectively. It pushes you to develop the skills and attributes of a senior leader—understanding your strengths, tackling your weaknesses, and pushing past your comfort zone. If you want to push yourself and gain exposure to the wider business, I’d absolutely recommend it. It’s not the easiest path to senior leadership, but if you’re ready to be challenged, the rewards are worth it—it’ll be the start of a very exciting career.” — Suzanne Crockett, Head of Technology UK&I, Fast Track Alumni 2022. Fast Track is more than a graduate programme—it’s a launchpad for a long-term leadership career at FCTG. If you're ready to step into the future with purpose, we’ll help you lead the way. Are you a recent graduate or soon-to-be and looking to progress in your career quickly? Then apply now!

In today’s world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s a way of life that can significantly impact our environment and communities. Samantha Buckley, a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Flight Centre Travel Group, has been a shining example of how small, meaningful changes can lead to a more sustainable future. Let’s dive into her journey and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.

Amidst the fun of the AI Action Figure trend, it got Laurel thinking about the new “digital twins” in the travel world: AI tools. Laurel’s an Aussie travel agent who specialises in cruise ⚓ with 8 years’ experience under her belt. She’s had a front-row seat to how AI is showing up in our industry – sometimes as a helpful co-pilot, other times as a bit of a loose cannon. AI has made it easier than ever to find detailed destination info. Need ideas for a day in Dubrovnik? Want off-the-beaten-track eats in Osaka? AI can whip that up in seconds. It can help agents add depth to itineraries, find creative options faster, and get through admin tasks like email, data entry, or content writing with a little more ease. But here’s the thing—AI doesn’t know travel the way a real travel agent does. It doesn’t ask the right follow-up questions, understand cruise line nuances, or know that your client doesn’t like tender ports, and it definitely doesn’t want to fly [bleep😉]. It doesn’t catch when a suggested itinerary includes an unachievable connection or when a ship docks somewhere for only four hours—not long enough to do what’s been planned. There are real benefits to using AI in our day-to-day. Laurel has used it to brainstorm social content, summarise supplier updates, and research lesser-known ports of call to add value for her clients. But she also sees the risks when travellers rely entirely on AI for trip planning—especially for cruises or complex itineraries. That’s when things can go wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong. Where AI supports our travel agents best is behind the scenes: research, writing, admin, automation. But when it comes to designing holidays around someone’s needs, building trust, managing expectations, and troubleshooting in real time? That’s still human work. That’s what we do. So yes, AI can wear the costume, but it doesn’t become the travel agent. Just like those dolls—it might look like Laurel (or a slightly different version of her), but it’s not going to book a cruise, advocate for a free upgrade, or make sure her clients know which deck to avoid on embarkation day. The future of travel might include a digital twin or two, but the real magic still happens in human conversations, with travel agents who know their stuff, care deeply, and want you to have the best trip possible. So, Laurel feels safe and will carry on living her best life as a Flight Centre Travel Agent. ❤️ Join a business that’s complemented, not interrupted, by the rise of AI tools. Join the fun Flight Centre crew today! 👉 FCTG Careers Smooth Sailing, Laurel 🛳️

when Elizabeth (Liz) Stewart started at a Flight Centre store on the Gold Coast in January 2019, she instantly felt at home. “I absolutely loved my first 12 months there,” she says. “It was fast-paced, people-focused, and just really fun.” Liz pictured in her FCTG Travel Consultant uniform. Then came an unexpected chapter. As the travel industry navigated the impacts of COVID-19, Liz remained with the business—and that experience, while different from anything she’d faced before, only strengthened her connection to the company. “I was really grateful to stay on during that time. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the culture and support we have at Flight Centre.” By early 2022, Liz was ready for a fresh challenge. Having previously lived in London, she felt a strong pull back to the UK—and in May of that year, she made the leap and joined FCM Meetings & Events. At the time, M&E was still a relatively new part of the business, offering her a unique opportunity to learn and gain deeper insight into how the company truly operates. Her drive didn’t go unnoticed. Just six months into the role, Liz was promoted to Assistant Manager—a position in which she thrived for nearly three years. But earlier this year, it was time for another evolution. Liz transitioned into the People & Culture team, stepping into a new challenge with responsibility for employee benefits across the business. “This has felt like the most natural move yet,” she explains. “I’ve always been super interested in people, connection, wellbeing, and workplace culture. Now I get to play a part in improving our people’s physical and mental health—which are things that have always been important to me.” For Liz, wellbeing goes beyond just ticking boxes—it's a fundamental value. "I love that our efforts in this area can have a direct and positive impact on people's lives," she says. Whether it's providing support, fostering connections, or simply ensuring someone feels appreciated and cared for—each element holds great importance to her. Liz believes that by concentrating on these aspects, they can cultivate a more supportive and inclusive environment that boosts both physical and mental health. Looking Back. Looking back, Liz admits she couldn’t have predicted this path. “If you’d told me six years ago—when I was a leisure travel agent on the Gold Coast—that I’d be working in a corporate office in London, managing employee benefits, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.” So, what advice does she have for others forging their own path? Keep an open mind. Say yes. Liz believes that embracing new people, learning new things, and exploring new places can open unexpected doors. Throughout her journey, one piece of advice has resonated with her: "You don't need to have all the answers—just know where to find them." A simple yet powerful guiding principle helped Liz overcome self-doubt and embrace personal growth. Her journey highlights the importance of staying open to new opportunities and having faith in the process, as each step plays a role in building a fulfilling career. At FCTG, we are committed to fostering a supportive environment that promotes personal growth and meaningful contributions. Liz's journey exemplifies how this atmosphere motivates employees to seek roles that enrich the FCTG experience. This vibrant setting encourages the pursuit of varied opportunities, enabling individuals to align their careers with their personal values and goals. Discover your own bright future like Liz: Check out our current opportunities today!

🎧 Tune in to hear the remarkable career story of Brett S. Smith, our Global Leadership & Professional Development Leader. From Durban, South Africa, where he started as a Travel Consultant, to his leadership role today, Brett's 26-year "Flightie" journey is truly inspiring. 🙌 Discover his key moments, valuable insights, and the unique aspects of our company culture that he believes set us apart. A huge thank you to Brett for shining brightly at Flight Centre Travel Group!

For nearly half a century Graham 'Skroo' Turner has been a true pioneer of adventure—beginning his journey in 1973 with Topdeck, taking bus trips across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. His energetic spirit is only matched by his dedication to health and wellness, both personally and professionally. Hover message Hover message Hover message

Rachael Knowles began her FCTG journey in 2013, fresh out of the world of journalism, looking for a way to earn some cash after realising her career as a local reporter wasn’t paying the rent. Rachael saw it as the perfect opportunity to combine her love of travel with the chance to work for one of the world’s biggest travel brands. She started as a Travel Consultant at the Oxford Street Hyperstore in the UK and immediately fell in love with the vibrant, travel-obsessed culture. Talking about travel all day was a dream come true. Within 1.5 years, Rachael was promoted to Assistant Team Leader at the Monument Hyperstore, where she managed both retail clients and a growing portfolio of FCBT clients.

You may have read a lot of our content tossing around the term “brightness of future”—we love it, you love it, it’s catchy. But let’s be real for a second: what does it actually mean? Is it about neon lights? Glittering prospects? A shiny travel brochure? Well, sort of—but it’s much more than that. At FCTG, brightness of future is a way of life. It’s about creating a workplace, a company, and a world where everyone feels empowered and excited about what’s next. Curious? Let us break it down for you.

Monique Van Gelder started her career at Flight Centre in 2003 as a state marketing manager and is now the global head of products for cruises and tours. With that impressive CV, it is fair to say she knows a thing or two about travel both at a national and international level.

As global Flight Centre brand CFO at Flight Centre Travel Group, Katrina Ryan understands the financial position of the travel industry better than most.