AFTA UPDATE
From the Australian Federation of Travel Agents
It’s that time again. We know it’s hard. We know it’s challenging to keep the fight for support going especially now with so much of Australia in lockdown and with the seemingly never-ending incoming surge of cancellations and changes as a result of restrictions and border closures. But now is the time to rally once more. The last time we mobilised the AFTA membership base we had one hell of an impact. Our updated Member engagement toolkit will help us do that once again – this time at a state and territory level as well as federally.
We are also proudly continuing to press our case for support through mainstream media as reinforcement of our lobbying. In addition to pressing the need for faster and wider take-up of COVID vaccination and the ever-present call for ongoing and wider support for our entire sector, we continue to join other peak industry groups in the need for support anchored to businesses as well as individuals. There are so many measures Government can and should introduce including following the Victorian Government’s lead on mandated commercial rent relief. AFTA is also concerned with the indications at a state and territory level from some of our leaders that they are prepared to step back from the National Cabinet agreement on the vaccination thresholds that will see domestic and then international borders reopen. There is a National Roadmap to Recovery in place which National Cabinet has agreed to. That agreement was reached on a framework formed by the best scientific and medical advice in this country as to how we move to a more normal way of living safely. Stepping away from that agreement is counterproductive on so many levels. It kneecaps consumer and business confidence. There is a robust plan in place and we need our leaders to continue to follow the expert medical advice.
AFTA continues to engage in media opportunities which both highlight the need for more Australians to #GetTravelReady & #GiveTravelAShot.
A huge thank you to our many members who continue to make themselves available for shortnotice media interviews and background briefings.
We also support Tourism Australia’s ongoing work in this space with its industry vaccination initiative for both leisure and business events via the “It’s Our Best Shot For Travel” and “It’s Our Best Shot for Events” campaigns.
AFTA members will receive an update at this Wed’s member webinar which they can register for here.
Last but not least, there is an upside to so many of us being in lockdown – it means the federal/state govt disaster packages kick in for many more of our members to help offset some of the devastating impact of what has effectively now been 18 months of hard lockdown for our entire sector. Grant 3 work continues irrespective, with direct Govt dialogue and the shaping of a new agreement.