There’s a familiar sound echoing through the corridors of Parliament House—and no, it’s not the clatter of lobbyists’ heels or the rustle of fresh policy briefs. It’s the firm, unmistakable voice of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), reinvigorated after the 2025 federal election and more determined than ever to ensure the nation’s travel agents aren’t left holding the bag.
With the ink barely dry on ballot papers and a new government shaping its agenda, ATIA has wasted no time revving its engines. The association’s leadership—buoyed by strong member engagement during the election campaign—is already knocking on doors and sharpening its message. And make no mistake: they’re not here to play nice—they’re here to be heard.
“Advocacy is about more than politics. It’s about shaping the national conversation to ensure our members’ voices are front and centre when critical decisions are made,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long. “That starts now, and it starts with purpose.”
A Grassroots Machine with National Grit
Long was quick to thank members who contacted their local MPs during the election cycle—a gesture that may seem old-fashioned but remains one of the most potent tools in the advocacy playbook.
“A relationship with your local Member of Parliament is important—no matter your political persuasion,” Long added. “In this game, it’s all about relationships. We can’t shift the needle alone.”
From the most remote regional travel agent to metropolitan headquarters in Sydney and Melbourne, ATIA’s strength lies in its grassroots network—hundreds of small business owners and industry professionals who understand the value of their services and, increasingly, their political clout.
Five Pillars of Fairness
ATIA’s post-election advocacy platform is unapologetically focused on fairness—a word that has often become a luxury in Canberra’s maze of legislation and compromise. But Long and his team are placing it front and centre, outlining five core priorities defining their campaign within the new Parliament.
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Cut the Red Tape (Not the Agents):
ATIA urges the government to ensure the proposed Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme targets the real culprits—airlines and airports, not travel agents who neither set fare rules nor hold consumer funds. -
Celebrate Booking Local:
A nationwide campaign is urgently needed to promote the value, safety and consumer confidence of booking with Australian-based, accredited travel agents. Consumers must be educated that behind every holiday dream is a hardworking agent managing the chaos. -
Let Businesses Breathe:
Many travel businesses, operating on razor-thin margins, face absurd merchant terminal bond requirements exceeding $1 million. Removing their ability to recover card payment processing costs through surcharges is punitive and dangerous. -
Aviation Competition, Please:
Australia’s aviation sector remains lopsided. Weak competition means higher fares, poorer service, and fewer flight options, particularly outside capital cities. It’s time to open the skies and let market forces restore balance. -
Restore Training Support:
Apprenticeship and trainee support are not a luxury—they’re the lifeblood of an industry rebuilding itself post-COVID. Slashing funding only discourages the very employers trying to grow the next generation of travel professionals.
Canberra, We Have a Conversation
In the coming weeks, ATIA will engage not just with new Ministers and Shadow Ministers, but with as many crossbenchers, first-term MPs, and seasoned veterans as possible. Their goal? To ensure travel businesses—so often overshadowed by airlines and online platforms—are understood, supported, and protected.
“In addition to our direct engagement with Ministers, the most powerful asset we have is the voice of our members in each electorate,” Long said. “There are multiple challenges and opportunities in this new Parliament, and we intend to make sure the value of travel—and supporting accredited travel businesses—is widely understood.”
Indeed, in a Parliament brimming with competing voices—from resource giants to tech conglomerates—it’s refreshing to see a sector steeped in heritage, human connection, and economic contribution refuse to fade quietly into the background.
ATIA has thrown down the gauntlet—and not just to politicians. This is also a call to arms for every Australian who has ever trusted a local agent to plan their holiday, get them home during a crisis, or navigate the maze of modern travel.
While the world may change, the need for trusted, accredited, and locally based travel expertise never goes out of style.
