Flight Centre Travel Group is shuttering wholesaler Gogo Vacations, part of a shift in its U.S. leisure strategy to focus more on luxury travel and independent contractors.
While the wholesaler is closing, Flight Centre said a transition team will be put in place to service and support all existing bookings.
"It was a difficult, but logical decision to close Gogo," said Charlene Leiss, Flight Centre president of the Americas. "With the wholesale model struggling in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to justify the high costs of maintaining this brand."
Gogo, along with retailer Liberty Travel, was founded in 1951 by Fred Kassner and Gilbert Haroche in New Jersey. Flight Centre acquired Liberty and Gogo in 2007.
"While we regrettably have to part ways with some of the Gogo staff, we thank all affected employees for their dedication, service and commitment over many years to the Gogo business and remain committed to supporting them during this time," she said.
The shuttering of Gogo is part of Flight Centre's larger strategy for the United States. On the leisure side, that includes an increased focus on independent contractors and luxury travel.
"Effectively, we are playing to our strengths and doubling down in our best-performing sectors and where we see exciting future growth potential," Leiss said. "We are also bringing the U.S. business into line with the leisure and corporate structures we have elsewhere in the world."
Additionally, Flight Centre has launched a new brand for independent contractors: Envoyage.
The Independent division is a network of some 1,400 independent contractors and currently includes the brands Independent by Liberty Travel, Independent by Flight Centre, Travel Managers, Travel Associates at Home, Flight Centre Independent, and Travel Partners. Envoyage will replace those brands.
"Independent travel has been one of the fastest-growing divisions for us in recent years, and the investment in our new brand signals the significant role we expect the network to play in our future business model," said Flight Centre global leisure CEO James Kavanagh. "It's our ambition that Envoyage will become a global powerhouse -- the most comprehensive, trusted and recognized independent travel brand in market."
Envoyage's U.S. rollout will begin in March.
No changes will be made to the operation of Liberty Travel stores and youth travel specialist StudentUniverse, Flight Centre said.
On the corporate side of Flight Centre's business, travel management company Corporate Traveler USA is escalating its pursuit of small and medium-size clients.
Corporate Traveler USA recently shifted to a regional approach, forming hubs throughout the country designed to identify prevalent industries and acquire clients. Right now, the TMC has hubs in the Boston and New York areas, Chicago and Southern California. Further expansion is planned.
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The news that American Queen Voyages (AQV) had ceased operations on Feb. 20, canceling all future cruises, did not come as a shock to the trade.
The writing was on the wall, industry professionals said, noting that AQV had had ongoing service and payment issues even before Travel Weekly reported in January that the U.S. river cruise line had been dropped by a number of major trade partners.
"I'm not shocked. Things have been brewing for a while. Late payments, or no payments, built up over the last few months," said Anthony Hamawy, president of Cruise.com.
Still hoping to find a solution that could satisfy both parties, Cruise.com stopped short of issuing a "no book" advisory.
"We tell clients what we're seeing and that if they still choose to book, they need to be very cautious," Hamawy said. "Use a credit card, buy insurance."
Hamawy noted that some insurance companies won't pay claims in certain circumstances if issues have already surfaced. For instance, Travel Guard stopped covering financial default for Vantage Deluxe World Travel in the days after reports came out that that company was looking for a buyer.
Still, Hamawy said he's "very cautious about putting a 'no book' on companies. We try to work with them when we can. We want to be partners, but at the same time protect our consumers."
That's the approach Signature Travel Network, Pleasant Holidays and AAA Travel said they tried with AQV when the companies had issues with the line, prior to the cutting of ties.
Signature CEO Alex Sharpe said the consortium had stopped selling AQV in March 2023 but brought the line back once commissions had been paid. Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said the company -- which sold AQV through Pleasant Holidays -- stopped selling the line in November but would have considered resuming sales if the outstanding issues had been resolved. (Pleasant Holidays CEO Jack Richards noted earlier this month that no progress had been made.)
After the shutdown, focus now turns to refunds as well as to how AQV's parent company, Hornblower Group, might be impacted and how AQV's collapse might reflect on domestic river cruising.
To get a refund, travelers must complete a three-part process, including filing a claim form, retrieving a denial notice to present to insurance companies and requesting a refund from Argo Surety, a Toronto-based commercial insurer.
Hornblower Group said that it is working to sell AQV but that if a buyer can't be found, the river cruise company would be wound down.
AQV was underperforming and failed to recover from the pandemic, according to Hornblower Group president Adam Peakes.
Still standing among U.S. river cruise lines are American Cruise Lines (ACL), Viking and Lindblad Expeditions.
ACL is by far the leader, with around 20 ships in its fleet and more on order. The Guilford, Conn.-based company has tripled its U.S. fleet in the past five years, introducing five new riverboats on the Mississippi and launching a new class of hybrid river/coastal vessels called Coastal Cats.
Viking has operated one river ship in the U.S., the Viking Mississippi, since 2022. Lindblad Expeditions has operated river cruises in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers for more than 30 years.
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When DreamWorks Land opens at Universal Orlando Resort this summer, visitors can expect experiences with characters from "Shrek," "Trolls" and "Kung Fu Panda," as well as plenty of activities for the whole family.
The new land will be located in Universal Studios Florida at the former location of Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination and Shrek and Donkey's Meet & Greet.
Upon arrival, guests will enter Shrek's Swamp and see his 35-foot-tall cottage. That area will feature Shrek's Swamp Meet, a character meet-and-greet; Shrek's Swamp for Little Ogres, a play area; Mama Luna Feline Fiesta, an interactive experience with Mama Luna and her cats from "Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish"; King Harold's Swamp Symphony, where guests can hop on interactive lily pads to make music; and Swamp Snacks, a food kiosk.
Trolls Village will feature a centerpiece fountain with the characters Poppy and Branch. That area will also feature the Trolls Rollercoaster, an all-ages coaster; Poppy's Playground, featuring bouncing and climbing structures; Troll's Treats, an ice cream kiosk; and retail location High Five Hideaway.
DreamWorks Land will also be home to Po's Kung Fu Training Camp, a play area with wet and dry play spots and interactive experiences. The digital meet-and-greet Po Live! will feature Po and his little cousin, Ling Ling.
At the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration, DreamWorks Animation stories will be the centerpiece. The experience will include hit pop songs, dancing and advanced technology combined to create a party-like atmosphere.
At the DreamWorks Character Zone, guests can meet with even more characters, like Gabby from "Gabby's Dollhouse."
