Budget assumptions highlight need for ongoing support
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AFTA hosted a post-budget summit at KPMG with a range of key business peak bodies and Embassy representatives
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents says the Government’s confirmation in the Federal
Budget that international travel is likely to “remain low through to mid-2022” highlights the critical need for ongoing support for travel agents and businesses.
AFTA warns that without ongoing support until international travel resumes, travel agents and businesses will be forced to shut, erasing a critical part of the infrastructure that supports corporate and leisure travel and Australians visiting family and relatives overseas. This support is even more vital in a COVID environment.
12 May 2021
Qantas Group has pushed back its planned restart of international flights beyond the trans-Tasman bubble from the end of October 2021 to late December.
The decision comes after last night’s Federal Budget announcement revealed Australia’s vaccine rollout is expected to be completed at the end of 2021, meaning the international border isn’t expected to reopen until mid-2022.
Qantas Group said it remains optimistic that additional bubbles will open once Australia’s vaccine rollout is complete “to countries who, by then, are in a similar position, but it’s difficult to predict which ones at this stage”.
“This planning assumption will allow the Qantas Group – and Australia – to be ready to take advantage of pockets of tourism and trade opportunity as they emerge in a post-COVID world,” the company said in a statement.
Date Time
Tourism support will fall short without open borders
The single most important outcome for the tourism, hospitality and accommodation industries after tonight’s Federal Budget is a commitment to reopening Australia.
“It is vital for the Government to begin a staged opening as soon as possible, given the stimulus measures announced tonight. Businesses need certainty and this is especially important after state border lockdowns battered the sector in 2020-21. The sector hinges on a firm commitment to international restart, from generating demand to accessing skills,’ Australian Chamber-Tourism Chair, John Hart said.
“We welcome the $94.6 million extension to the Zoos and Aquariums package and the Consumer Travel Support Program and acknowledge the much-needed funding provided to Tourism Australia to continue to undertake their important work on the international and domestic campaign activity. Holiday Here This Year is vital to the survival of tourism operators wh
03 May 2021
Australian travel agents, inbound tour operators and wholesalers can now apply to access an additional $130 million in support from the federal government.
The second round of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program opened today, which brings the total direct support for agents to $258 million.
The extra assistance is part of the government’s
The COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program provides eligible agents, inbound tour operators and wholesalers with a one-off payment of up to $100,000.
Key changes under round two of the program include simplifying the assessment and payment process for businesses eligible for a second payment under the program extension, increasing the minimum grant amount from $1,500 to $7,500 and reducing the number of turnover tiers used to calculate payments from 41 to nine.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian travel agents, inbound tour operators and tour wholesalers can now apply to access an additional $130 million in support from the Morrison Government.
The second round of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program opens today, which brings to $258 million the total direct support for travel agents. This is in addition to around $700 million in support already provided through measures such as JobKeeper, PAYG cash flow boosts, and loss carry back provisions.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the extra assistance was part of the Morrison Government’s $1.2 billion tourism and aviation package to support Australia’s tourism businesses and 660,000 workers.