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AFTA CEO Dean Long will this week brief members on his immediate priorities, including the ongoing reinforcement with Government at all levels that there is a long runway to recovery for Australia’s travel sector and that ongoing support is vital.The Wednesday member-only update is his first as CEO and will see Mr Long outline his approach to the role as well as how the strategy and direction for AFTA will be set in the future. AFTA members can register here https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2218079309874710796.
Quotes from AFTA CEO Dean Long:
“In addition to continuing to push for ongoing support until the sector normalises in 2022, AFTA will also be amplifying the important role of the travel industry in re-opening Australia, and in driving Australia’s economy.”
“The AFTA team and I look forward to outlining the immediate and longer-term priorities during our Member-only webinar this coming Wednesday.”
“Friday’s announcement about the move to open up international travel without the need for hotel quarantine for Australians and their immediate families is an important and large step in the right direction but there’s a lot of practical detail that still needs to be sorted. AFTA has already had some initial meetings with key decision makers and departments. As the peak industry body operating at the coalface for travelling Australians, we bring valuable insight into what’s working and what’s been problematic in other markets.”
“The elimination of the quarantine requirement for Australians is an important step but AFTA’s position is that it should apply to all fully vaccinated travellers. There is no difference in medical risk between a vaccinated Australian and a vaccinated non-Australian. The cap on airline seats also needs to go.”
“There is a long-term economic lag even once our international border does reopen
to business travellers and tourists. The runway to recovery for Australia’s travel sector is a long one. Australia’s travel agents and businesses have been in hard lockdown for more than 600 days and until airlines and cruise capacity return to normal levels with international tourists allowed in, which won’t be until at least the second quarter of 2022, we will continue to be in lockdown. We need ongoing Government help so we can keep providing travelling Australians with the expert support they need.”