The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced a positive advocacy development, with the Federal Parliament’s inquiry report into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, incorporating many of ATIA’s key recommendations.
The report, titled ‘Are we there yet?’: From recovery to resilience – opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism sector, reflects ATIA’s submission and evidence provided by ATIA CEO Dean Long, who appeared before the inquiry to press for change.
The report outlines 28 recommendations aimed at strengthening the tourism sector and enhancing its resilience to future challenges.
ATIA is pleased to see a focus on increasing the competitiveness, accessibility and sustainability of air travel, and the pursuit of further “open skies” agreements to enhance international air travel, consistent with Australia’s national interests. Increased air-travel capacity on international routes will provide Australian consumers with more options and competitive pricing.
Another important recommendation is the call for the Australian government to engage with New Zealand and other neighbouring countries to develop joint visa offerings and other initiatives designed to encourage multi-country tourism. Such policies will remove barriers to travel and help enhance the region’s attractiveness to international tourists.
ATIA’s submission is available here: https://bit.ly/4gQrwvt.
Acting CEO Ingrid Fraser said: “This report is a win for the travel sector and a reflection of ATIA’s leadership in advocating for the industry. We are thrilled to see our key recommendations for increasing air travel capacity included in the report. These policies are essential to supporting Australia’s global competitiveness and the continued growth of our travel and tourism sectors.”
“Collaborative visa initiatives, along with improved air travel accessibility, are crucial in making our region more appealing and easier to navigate for travellers.”
“ATIA remains committed to advocating for policies that support its members and that ensure the resilience and competitiveness of the Australian travel sector. We will continue to work closely with the Government to ensure that these recommendations are actioned and that the travel industry can thrive in the long term.”
