Flight Centre Travel Group’s Danielle Galloway became Viking’s first Australian godmother last week, an honour she believes reflects a fundamental value both businesses share: an unwavering focus on people.
For Galloway, the strength of the relationship between FCTG and Viking comes down to something simple.
“Absolutely, the people,” Galloway told Travel Weekly when asked what has made the partnership so successful.
“The philosophy behind Flight Centre Travel Group is people are number one, and Viking’s value is all about the people, it’s all about the guests.”
Which makes Galloway’s newest connection to Viking particularly fitting.
The managing director of Luxury & Independent became Viking’s first Australian godmother in Amsterdam on 15 October, taking responsibility for Viking Sjofn, one of seven new river ships welcomed to the fleet.
Meaningful relationships
Named for the Norse goddess of affection and meaningful relationships, the association with Sjofn felt like an acknowledgement of a synergy, and of a partnership Galloway says has been built around shared values and connections.
“This aligns to what is important to me in the industry,” she said. “It’s about having relationships and connections, so I feel like it’s a big part of my heart.”
Those relationships extended well beyond Galloway herself on naming day.
Rather than inviting celebrities to name the seven new vessels, Viking selected godparents from its global travel advisor community, recognising some of the partners who have helped build the brand over almost three decades.
Galloway sees her appointment in similar terms.
“This is about all of the people within the travel industry, representing their hard work and how valuable they are in terms of putting that guest on a Viking ship,” she said.
That emphasis on partnership is echoed by the Viking team.
Speaking later at a celebration dinner, Viking CEO Leah Talactac thanked travel-industry guests, including the new godparents: “We would not be who we are and where we are today without your partnership and the confidence your clients place in us.”
For Galloway, the alignment also runs through the Viking product.
While growing to a fleet of more than 100 river, ocean and expedition vessels, Viking has maintained a remarkably consistent brand identity and guest experience. Galloway believes that clarity of purpose is part of what makes the brand so effective.
“You see it in every single part of your experience on board a Viking ship,” she said. “To see a story resonate through your experience and have consistency of that across the fleet creates the magic behind the Viking brand.”
New generation of godparents
There was another significance to an Australian travel leader standing alongside Viking’s newest generation of godparents for the first time.
“Australia has become a powerhouse in terms of sending guests overseas, especially in the growth of the cruise industry,” Galloway said.
“It’s very, very special to be chosen to represent the whole Australian industry and the whole travel industry. It’s overwhelming.”
She said when asked about the significance of the Aussie recognition.
Her appointment was accompanied by Virtuoso’s Michael Londregan becoming Viking’s first Australian godfather, adding another Australian to a godparent cohort drawn from the travel trade.
And for Galloway, the honour underlined the basic principle that has characterised both her career and her relationship with Viking: people creating unforgettable experiences for other people.
Moments before officially naming Viking Sjofn, she put it rather personally.
“Ships don’t just carry people, ships carry dreams, and today, she (Viking Sjofn) has made my dreams come true, and she will make many passengers and crew have their dreams come true on a lifetime of travel.”
Galloway’s appointment celebrates an individual industry leader, but the story she tells about it is broader. It’s a celebration of the advisors who put travellers aboard, the partnerships that connect travel businesses, the connection with guests those businesses welcome, and an Australian travel industry whose influence is increasingly being recognised on the world stage.
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