Day of action next Tue

THE Australian travel, tourism and cruise sectors will gather at the offices of state and federal MPs across the country next Tue, urging support for the shattered industry and the lifting of restrictions to allow businesses to trade like the rest of the economy.

Anyone in travel or tourism is being invited to join the push, which is being coordinated through a rapidly-growing grass-roots Facebook group with members including travel agents, cruise suppliers, tour operators and other industry businesses.

The organisers have been engaging with peak industry bodies including AFTA, CLIA and CATO to ensure they focus on delivering the right messages and support the ongoing lobbying work being undertaken in Canberra and Australia’s State and Territory capitals.

AFTA has confirmed that the resources available under its Dec 2021 Mobilisation Campaign have been endorsed for use by the group, calling on MPs to urgently consider AFTA’s travel sector skills retention and recovery package.

Prospective participants are invited to join the Aussie Travel Action Group on Facebook (CLICK HERE) and invite their industry friends and colleagues to take part.

A maximum of 20 people will attend the electoral offices between 11am and 1pm, with MPs to also be invited to meet with impacted travel business owners and staff on the day.

It’s being suggested that attendees prepare a brief outline of the human impact of the pandemic on their business, their family and on the people who work (or worked) with them.

Local media are also being engaged to raise awareness, and participants will engage the community in conversation about the dire position of their business.

The Day of Action will also aim to see activity across the country posted across social media using the #AussieTravelActionGroup hashtag, with the organisers saying “the overall message is that it is a day of sadness and desperation that has come to this” - join in at facebook.com.