Flight Centre Canada is expanding its physical retail presence with two new stores in Toronto and North Vancouver, betting that in-person travel expertise remains valuable despite the growing ability of consumers to research and book trips online.
The travel retailer opened Flight Centre Crosstown in Toronto and Flight Centre North Shore in North Vancouver this month as part of a broader commitment to invest in travel expertise and its Canadian operations.
The expansion follows what the company describes as a third consecutive record year for Flight Centre Travel Group, the parent company of Flight Centre Canada. Canada was also the group’s most improved market globally in the financial year ended June 2026.
Physical retail remains part of strategy
The new locations represent a deliberate investment in brick-and-mortar operations at a time when travellers can increasingly arrange trips through digital channels, according to Flight Centre Canada executive vice-president and general manager Anita Emilio.
“Opening new travel stores in 2026 might sound old school, but that’s part of the point,” said Emilio. “People can research a trip for hours and still not know what they’re missing. A good travel expert cuts through the noise, flags the trade-offs and helps travellers make confident decisions.
“Technology gives us speed and choice. Our people bring judgement, context and accountability. The real value comes from combining the two.”
The company said the new stores are intended to give Canadians another way to access travel advice, alongside its online and virtual services with consultants. Flight Centre said the approach is designed to combine its technology with advice from travel professionals.
Chris Lynes, managing director of Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, said the investment is focused on locations where the company sees a business case for physical retail.
“Brick-and-mortar retail works when it gives access to expertise people can’t get elsewhere,” said Lynes. “These openings reflect a deliberate investment in a part of the business we know customers value and trust.
“We’re confident in our offering, but we’re also realistic about the current environment. We’ll continue to be selective about where we invest and focus on opportunities that make sense for both customers and the economics of the business.”
New Toronto and North Vancouver locations
Flight Centre Crosstown is located at 2507 Yonge Street, north of Eglinton, in Toronto. The store opened Sept. 10 and operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Flight Centre North Shore is located at 120 W. 16th Street, Unit 104, in North Vancouver. The store operates from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with its grand opening scheduled for Sept. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The company said the two openings are part of its 30th-anniversary commitment to invest in the future of travel expertise. Flight Centre Travel Group has operated in Canada since 1995, with offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver.
Flight Centre Travel Group is headquartered in Brisbane and employs about 15,000 people globally, with company-owned leisure and corporate travel businesses in 25 countries. The company has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange since 1995 and has a market capitalization in the order of C$4 billion.
Its Canadian leisure travel brands include Flight Centre, Envoyage and Laurier DuVallon, while its corporate travel brands include Corporate Traveller, FCM Travel, FCM Meetings + Events, Stage & Screen and WhereTo.
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- Canadians driving surge in event-led travel as domestic bookings jump 15%: Flight Centre
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