AFTA UPDATE

from the Australian Federation of Travel Agents

ON FRI 28 Aug, AFTA lodged its Pre-Budget Submission which sets out a compelling case for the Federal Government to provide a travel agent support package of $125 million, as well as a range of additional business measures. An essential ask if our industry is to get through to the other side of COVID-19 safely.

In fact, securing government financial support at both federal and state/territory levels has been AFTA’s single biggest focus throughout Sep. Promptly following the submission lodgement, AFTA launched the National Mobilisation Program – a grassroots, collaborative and strategic approach which is all about harnessing the power of AFTA members.

The Program asks for member support in contacting and arranging a meeting with their local federal MP to continue to build the momentum and make sure every single Federal Member of Parliament knows about the plight of travel agents, tour operators and travel wholesalers.

A toolkit was developed to assist members with the process and to ensure maximum impact through aligned messaging. Pleasingly, members have taken up the calling. We’ve received reports that our members right around Australia are securing meetings with their local federal Parliamentarians and we’re seeing this reflected in the media.

AFTA CEO Darren Rudd, Chair Tom Manwaring and several board members have participated in meetings and are hearing back from politicians about how impressed they are with the passion, resilience, determination and professionalism, as they get to understand you for the first time.

In fact, something changes when parliamentarians hear the passion, pain and commitment direct from our members and it’s that change that we need to keep driving right up until the Federal Budget announcement on 06 Oct.