With the Federal Election set for May 3, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has activated its Election Portal, giving members the tools to influence outcomes that will shape the future of the travel industry.
This new digital hub on ATIA’s website features customisable toolkits and electorate-level messaging to help members raise awareness of the travel sector’s vital contribution to local economies. The initiative builds on the successful member mobilisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, when collective advocacy helped secure critical support measures worth $270M for the industry. This campaign lays strong foundations for ATIA’s political engagement during and post the election.
Now, as political parties focus on votes, ATIA is calling on its member network – 92% of whom are small businesses and all of whom make a significant contribution in their local community – to make their voices heard.
ATIA’s Member Campaign Portal with tailored material for each of the 150 Federal seats is now live via ATIA’s website, equipping members with:
- A step-by-step guide on securing a meeting with their local MP
- Electorate-specific fact sheets highlighting the impact of travel businesses in each community (initial focus is on marginal seats)
- Key talking points to ensure a clear, consistent message
- Follow-up email template to reinforce key industry asks
- A post-meeting ticklist, including a request for members to email [email protected] so ATIA can track briefings and strengthen its direct advocacy
ATIA’s key election priorities:
- Championing Accredited Travel Agents and Tour Operators
- A co-funded national consumer awareness campaign should be launched to promote the unmatched safety of booking with accredited, Australian-based travel agents and tour operators, ensuring Australians book with trusted, financially secure providers that comply with elevated consumer standards and Australian Consumer Law.
- The government must recognise and prioritise the role of travel agents and tour operators in the broader tourism industry and ensure policy settings support their sustainability and growth.
- This includes ensuring the proposed Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme remain focused on airlines who set fare rules and hold consumer funds and airports especially given the robust accreditation framework and highly successful independent dispute resolution process already in place through ATIA.
- Stronger Airline Competition to Lower Fares and Improve Services
- The ACCC should be empowered and funded to conduct bi-annual market concentration studies for both domestic and international aviation, ensuring transparency in pricing and competition impacts.
- The ACCC’s Domestic Airline Competition Monitoring reports should be extended beyond 2026, maintaining oversight on pricing, capacity, and service quality.
- The government should adopt a clear, consumer-focused framework for bilateral air service agreements, ensuring that decisions on international flight capacity prioritise affordability and accessibility for Australians.
- A Long-Term Workforce Strategy to Fill Skills Gaps
- The next government must commit to a long-term funding model for traineeship incentives, ensuring businesses can afford to take on and train new staff.
- Federal and state governments must align funding and priorities for travel industry training, supporting the 72% of the workforce that is female and ensuring travel remains a viable and sustainable career path.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEAN LONG, ATIA CEO:
“With the federal election underway, we need every decision-maker to understand the economic importance of the travel industry and the direct impact their policies have on businesses and consumers alike. Our asks deliver for travelling Australians as well as the Travel Sector.”
“Our advocacy efforts during COVID directly secured $270 million in support for travel businesses – support at a level which no other sector received. Now, we are using the same proven strategy—mobilising our members at a local level including in key marginal seats to ensure that travel industry priorities are front and centre in this election.”
“Our campaign gives members everything they need to strategically engage with their local MPs and candidates , in line with ATIA’s national advocacy. By bringing local voices to the table, we reinforce the urgency of policies that promote accredited travel businesses, improve airline competition, and strengthen workforce sustainability.”
“Our sector contributes $69 billion to the economy and directly supports tens of thousands of Australian businesses—the time for action is now.”
