Here’s how much government grant money travel agents have been paid so far

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan has provided an update on just how much moolah has been paid out to travel agents as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program.

The federal government has committed $258 million in direct support to agents through the program and, according to the latest data, $118.1 million has been paid so far.

A total of $98.6 million in grant funding has been paid under round one, with 2,964 agents having received payments and another 172 claims still being processed, according to a media release issued by Minister Tehan on Monday.

Under round two, $19.5 million in grant funding has been paid to 945 agents.

The COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program complements broader support for the travel industry that includes a $1.2 billion aviation and tourism support package, an extension of the $94.6 million zoos and aquariums program and expanding the $40 billion SME Loan Guarantee Scheme.

Minister Tehan said the government had worked closely with the sector to deliver targeted support.

“The government has worked closely with the peak bodies representing travel agents – the Australian Federation of Travel Agents Limited (AFTA), Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) – to enhance round two of the  COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program,” he said.

“We have been working with these industry associations to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient support packages targeted to those industries impacted by the economic fallout of COVID-19.”

Featured image source: iStock/erhui1979