Brick and Mortar Travel Agents Are Still Important Says Flight Centre’s President

In many places in the U.S., the traditional travel agency storefront has disappeared as travelers book online and agents have begun working from home or as independent contractors. But Flight Centre USA president Dean Smith says that visible storefronts in major U.S. cities will continue to be a priority for the company's Liberty Travel brand. From the new Liberty Travel storefront steps away from Manhattan's bustling Union Square, Smith told Skift that Flight Centre Travel Group's best-performing brands essentially foot the bill for Liberty Travel's visibility; Flight Centre's long-haul flight and corporate travel businesses, for instance, also work out of the same Liberty Travel location. Smith talked about how Flight Centre's recent acquisition of StudentUniverse fits into the company's brand portfolio, why visibility is vital for travel agencies and the importance of introducing millennials to travel agents. Skift: Most travel agencies are moving away from the storef