The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has today launched the Committee of Independent Travel Agents and Advisors (CTA) at Beyond Borders 2025 in Brisbane, reinforcing its commitment to give every member segment a clear voice in national industry leadership.
This work began with the announcement at Beyond Borders 2024 that each ATIA director would assume dedicated responsibility for a member segment, ensuring every part of the industry had a voice at Board level.
Over the past 12 months, ATIA has expanded that commitment, first through its partnership with the Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC) to support corporate travel agents, and now through the creation of CTA to represent independent agents.
“The launch of CTA is the result of almost a year’s work to strengthen segment-specific representation within ATIA,” ATIA chair Christian Hunter said. “It’s a deliberate and strategic step forward and another milestone in our plan to give every member segment a clear voice in national decision-making.
“This framework is part of the long-term approach we set out at Beyond Borders 2024, first with dedicated Board responsibilities for each member segment, then the partnership with ATMC for corporate agents, and now CTA for independents.”
CTA provides a structured framework for independent agents to advise on, and be advised of, ATIA’s ongoing policy, advocacy, and industry initiatives creating space for members to identify priorities, drive the agenda, and address the unique challenges facing their businesses.
Expressions of interest will be sought from ATIA members who wish to participate in CTA, with the inaugural committee to be established in late 2025. Independent agents interested in shaping the committee’s early priorities will be invited to register their interest via the ATIA website.
Together, these initiatives reinforce ATIA’s strategic focus on ensuring every member segment covering our independent, retail, corporate, tour operator, and wholesaler members has a meaningful role in shaping the future of Australia’s travel industry.
“Independent agents have always been a vital part of ATIA,” Hunter said. “With CTA, they now have a formal seat at the table, shaping the agenda, influencing outcomes, and staying connected to the advocacy and policy work that drives their businesses forward.”
Nominations for CTA are now open here.
