In a not-to-be-missed session yesterday, our very own editor Grant Jones spoke to two of the industry’s titans: Dean Long, CEO of ATIA, and Dennis Bunnik, joint-CEO of Bunnik Tours and chairman of CATO, about the hot topics affecting the industry today.
The first issue these heavyweights addressed was the government advice tool Smartraveller, and whether it is up to the standards of the modern traveller.
“It’s a really good source of information,” Bunnik said. “But it has to put generic info out to every type of traveller, and there are lots of types of travellers…”
More travellers are currently opting to use trusted resources and travel agents. “More educated travellers are good travellers,” Bunnik said.
Long and Bunnik also touched on the risk that comes with travel, particularly the volatility of the dollar in the present Trumpian climate. Travel is inherently risky and expensive, but “we live with it” Bunnik said.
Also up for discussion were some of the factors that might be discouraging travellers from visiting Australia. As well as Australia having the most expensive passports in the world, they both touched on how funding for airports in Australia has been lacking for a long time, and that more money from the Passenger Movement Charge of $70pp needs to be provided by Treasury to improve aviation in Australia.
At the top of Bunnik’s priority list is continuing the education process and aviation policy. “We need more flights into Australia, we need lower prices,” he said. “Just allow us to do what we do.”
Government engagement was a major topic in the session, with improvements in communication being one of the benefits of the pandemic. Both CATO and ATIA have been huge advocates for members of the industry engaging with the government to enact change, especially in the lead up to the recent Federal Election.
Long emphasised the importance of being engaged with the government and the impact it has on businesses, as well as growing awareness that the government is important.
“Every member in the room, every business in the room is the tip of this sphere,” Long said. “It’s our job to help funnel the awareness and energy.”
“And be vocal,” host Jones added. Bunnik agreed, pointing out that they’ve already seen this type of action work during Covid.
“Peak bodies came together and we got some really good outcomes. We’ve just got to keep that up now.”
