BRISBANE — Flight Centre Travel Group has announced plans to launch an Asia-based destination management company (DMC) that will provide in-destination services to its travellers.

According to Travel Weekly Australia, the venture will be implemented in conjunction with Vietnam’s Thien Minh Group (TMG), and will combine TMG’s Buffalo Tours business in Vietnam with smaller joint venture DMC businesses the two companies operate currently in 10 other countries.

As a result, Flight Centre will increase its equity and acquire or launch similar businesses in other key regions in hopes of creating a worldwide DMC network.

With this new DMC, travellers, meetings and incentive groups, and cruise and other tour groups have access to transfers, excursions, day trips and land arrangements. It currently operates in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Myanmar.

As for benefits for the Flight Centre Group, these include greater control over product offerings, creating new products that can be sold through its own global distribution channels, and the ability to target inbound travellers during their holidays.

The Asia DMC is part of the company’s in-destination travel experiences network, which comprises tour operating businesses, Top Desk and Back-Roads Touring.