13 Jul 2021 The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has highlighted the increasingly urgent need for widespread support for the travel sector due to the immediate and flow-on impacts of the Greater Sydney lockdown. As a result of the COVID restrictions in Greater Sydney and wider NSW, state and territory borders, as well as the trans-Tasman Safe Travel Zone, are rapidly closing, with significant ramifications for agents and businesses, according to AFTA. An estimated 15,000 jobs have already been lost in Australia’s travel sector, with recovery only possible with the resumption of international travel for most. AFTA is continuing to work closely with Austrade and the federal government to accelerate and support the distribution of the $258 million in support through the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program to eligible small- and medium-sized agencies.