AFTA UPDATE

Last week (and as reported in Travel Daily yesterday), the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) released its Annual Report in a new format featuring a range of key insights about our performance and member profiles.

While last year does seem a long time ago in light of the current pace of recovery, the lack of clarity of a border reopening strategy and no demand meant we still needed government support.

As we detailed in the report, no other sector has been able to match the combined efforts of AFTA and our members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even at our lowest, we have banded together to unlock financial support and concessions from the government which primarily supported independent small and medium-sized businesses.

No one entity can claim all of the success, but AFTA is incredibly proud to have led this engagement.

AFTA prepared the detailed cost analysis which Treasury could approve and our member activations and working across the travel and tourism industry sealed the deal.

Since becoming AFTA CEO in Oct last year, the body’s success has been based on the ability to collaborate, consult and act.

It has been about working together to harness all the experience and enthusiasm available to deliver results for all.

The ability to operate in this fashion is also based on the continued support of the broad church that makes up AFTA.

ATAS accredited membership includes our 166 tour operators and wholesalers comprising 14% of the total, along with 842 retail travel agents (71% of the total), 83 corporate travel agencies/ TMCs (7%), 59 mobile agents (5%) and 35 online travel agencies (3%).

This allows AFTA to speak on behalf of the whole sector when in Canberra and other jurisdictions and deliver the government action we require.

Lastly, tomorrow AFTA, in conjunction with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, are hosting a webinar on what we need to keep the border with Bali open.

The webinar will be held on Wed 03 Aug at 2pm (AEST).

No prior registration is required, just add THIS LINK in your diary to attend.