AFTA UPDATE

From Dean Long, CEO

LAST week the NZ and Australian dialogue recommenced following the COVID enforced break and it provided a great opportunity for the leaders in both countries to reconnect.

Tourism Australia and Tourism NZ held an industry event in Sydney where the NZ Prime Minister and the newly appointed Australian Tourism Minister spoke about the importance of working together to promote both countries.

Encouragingly, there was good discussion and agreement about the importance of two-way travel and how it underpins both countries’ tourism performance.

At the same time, TAANZ and AFTA continued our ongoing partnership and collaboration with a meeting in New Zealand between AFTA Chair Tom Manwaring and TAANZ CEO Greg Hamilton.

Both AFTA and TAANZ have agreed to work together on rebuilding consumer confidence and awareness of the value and security of accredited travel businesses.

Also last week, we saw the re-emergence of foot and mouth disease across Indonesia.

As both the Indonesian and Australian Governments deploy numerous strategies to mitigate this threat, we as travel professionals also have an important role.

With over 70% of travel being booked through ATAS travel businesses, we must reinforce to our clients the need to do the right thing when returning to Australia.

Soon AFTA will be releasing resources for ATAS travel businesses to include in your clients’ travel kits.

As travel professionals, a central part of our role is to keep clients informed of the challenges when travelling, including how they can keep themselves & Australia safe.

AFTA continues to support you, to do this critical work as we educate alongside DFAT, Austrade, Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry on the role of ATAS businesses in keeping Australia safe.