Clare McKendrey leads the store, alongside travel experts Ishbel Eade, Danica Robbemond and Sheldon Swears, who have worked together for many years. Previously based in Newtown, the team found themselves without a store following the flash flooding that impacted the area in April. In the meantime, the team continued to support customers with their travel plans remotely.
‘There’s something special about being face-to-face with customers – sitting down, finding out what holiday they’re dreaming of, and helping make it happen,’ says McKendrey.
Heidi Walker, general manager of Flight Centre New Zealand, says the reopening is another step in the brand’s commitment to bring more locally-based travel expertise.
‘Kilbirnie has a strong, tight-knit community and we’re thrilled to be back part of it. Our customers tell us time and again how much they value having a face-to-face conversation with someone who really understands their needs.’