AFTA update

From AFTA’s chief executive, Jayson Westbury

IT SEEMS the passport office is full of good news with reports in that in 2016/17 some two million passports were issued for the first time in our nation’s history. This represents an increase of 6% over 2015/16 and forecasts are showing a continued growth (expected to be around 4%) in passport applications in 2017/18.

All good news for the outbound travel industry as the more people who have a passport the more chance of overseas travel there is. The strong economy is being flagged as the reason for this strong demand in passports and in deed the continued strong demand for overseas travel.

The passport application rate has doubled since the 90’s and we appear to be getting younger when we apply for a passport. In 1989/90 71% of passport applications were from the 18 – 60 age group, but in 2016/17 this age group dropped to 55%. Adding to this is the fact that child applications have more than doubled over the same period meaning that more of us are taking the kids with us on these overseas trips.

A recent report by the passport office has revealed that more Australian adults are renewing their passports when they fall due, which is a change in behaviour from past years when a passport was something that would be obtained but not retained. This shows that more and more people want to have a valid passport at hand, meaning their ability to make decisions to travel overseas are more immediate and on their mind. Again, a very good thing for the Australian travel industry.

As with all these government reports they are full of interesting information, the important thing for the travel industry is how we take this information and use it to our advantage.

Australia has one of the highest passport penetration rates in the world with over 56% of the population holding a passport. It’s a big market which is why so many cruise companies want to sail to Australia and so many airlines are sending larger and larger aircraft to our shores.

All positive signs for a strong period ahead and I hope whichever part of the industry you are in; you are getting your fair share.