More than 100 members of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) have been invited to participate across 11 meetings with key backbenchers over the next two weeks.
After being in an economic hard lockdown for almost 700 days, Aussie travel agents, these two financial quarters are the toughest the sector has ever faced, according to AFTA.
A survey of AFTA members shows revenue for January 22 is down 96 per cent from Jan 30, compounding the 80 per cent decline experienced in FY21. On average 51 per cent of all travel businesses’ work is assisting clients to use travel credits for COVID-affected travel.
AFTA CEO Dean Long said members are focusing their attention on key members of the backbench across the Liberal, National and Labor parties.
“We have continued our engagement with the executive branch of government and securing media profiles in many community publications for our members,” Long said.
“It is this strategic approach that maintains a comprehensive campaign, focusing on building public support while ensuring all members of parliament are aware of our need for support.”
In addition to pushing for the additional financial support, including the immediate release of the estimated $66m already approved for the travel sector but yet to be distributed, Long said AFTA will continue to support the efforts of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its member cruise companies in boosting government confidence in its plans to allow cruising to resume.
“The Government’s decision to extend the cruise ban, while disappointing, was not entirely unexpected and it’s important that we keep the pressure on here as well,” he said.
“We also already have strong registrations for this week’s webinar with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to update members on the EU COVID-19 certificates as well as other insights from Australia’s consular and embassy network.”
