The recent announcement that V Australia and Flight Centre are nesting together in Brisbane makes brilliant sense in the new Covid 19 landscape.This is not, virgin territory (pardon the pun) for the leadership group at Flight Centre, proving, yet again, ‘History Repeats Itself.’
When ‘Skroo’ Turner and Bill James were starting Top Deck Travel, and Jeremy James was attempting to conquer North America with a tiny adventure outfit called TREKAMERICA these groups gathered together in the same pot, enjoying significant synergies.
Their storefronts were lined up like eggs in the crate, side by side. And the London nest was affectionately known as “The Kangaroo Valley” of Earls Court.
Kenway Road became a melting-pot for tour operators,and ‘consolidators’ The Overseas Adventure Centre was a fitting anchor, just around the corner.
Proximity had its merits and deals were oftentimes made verbally between companies at the curb side. Even during the occasional pint in the pub.
The laneway was also home to at least “TWO Bucket Shops” ( any thoughts on how Flight Centres got started in Oz? ) , a Fish and Mushy Peas takeaway, two tiny Foreign Exchange kiosks, and, lest we forget, a most-fabulous Indian eatery.
Anchored on each corner by two pubs… both of which were work places and upper-floor bivouacs for hundreds of transient Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans.
News travelled by word-of-mouth or the printed grapevine. the pulp-paper, staple bound LAM Magazine – “London’s Australian Magazine” . LAM was given away free in every shop along the laneway. Mandatory reading during a ploughman’s lunch. LAM Magazine has survived hard times, adapting to a broader audience. “Australia has been replaced with “Alternative” but the rag is still FREE for the taking. Another example of adapting to the landscape.
TrekAmerica’s™ adverts appeared weekly alongside calls to adventures with Top-Deck. “Dive Into Streams… Stream Into Dives!’ Join a Merry Band of lunatics as we Discover America!
Adverts cost 7 pound fifty.
It’s known in other industries as ‘bundling’. Cowboys called it ‘circling the wagons’.
What worked before, will, work again. The ‘moving in together’ for V Australia and Flight Centre has true merit in application.
While Corona continues to kick the knickers off of the entire tourism and travel community.Crawling into berths alongside each other as these two iconic outfits have, makes solid dollars and sense.
In uncertain times, the smart money,wanting longevity and ultimate solid health for their businesses need to adapt to survive.
“Learn the Way of Many Weapons” – Samurai Battle Creed
Footnote: Both Brands have exceptional values, and we are pleased to see they continue to move forward, even if that means altering their colours on a Corona-changing leaf.
If you’re not moving, adapting to the market, you’re NOT, in First place!” – Ted Turner, who used to be married to Jane Fonda Not to mention… Founder of CNN,Turner Communications, The King Ranch and….
“Birds of a Feather, Flock Together!” Observations from the Conveyor Belt
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Written by Mark William Sheehan
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What a crock.