19 August 2024: With 73% of cruise travellers and at least 70% of Australians’ international air sales relying on travel advisors when making bookings Australian Travel Industry Assocation welcomes two significant federal announcements which support the travel sector.
Last Friday, the Federal Government announced an extension to the Coastal Trading Act exemption for eligible cruise operators until the end of 2026 and a trial for an Australian Travel Declaration, a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card.
The extension of the Coastal Trading Act means eligible cruise lines can continue to carry passengers to and from Australian ports under existing arrangements.
This will reduce red tape and costs for cruise operations and provides certainty which is great news for travel professionals selling cruise.
ATIA strongly supported with the Cruise Lines International Associaton (CLIA) on this campaign and commends the Government for its ongoing support of the cruise industry.
ATIA also welcomes the Federal Government’s trial for an Australian Travel Declaration, a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card which will see passengers on select Qantas flights from New Zealand invited to complete the declarations through the Qantas app, up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
This will be expanded to other airlines and cruises as the program progresses.
New Zealand has also committed to upgraded its eGates. Contactless travel will see faster processing times at airports, where the latest technologies involving digital credentials and facial recognition are utilised.
ATIA has been united with other key industry associations in calling for seamless border facilitation and welcomes this investment into solutions to improve the border experience by travellers.
Quotes attributable to ATIA CEO Dean Long:
“We’re proud to support our members and the cruise industry by lobbying for common sense decisions that support a thriving cruise sector.”
“We believe the two-year extension is a sensible approach while the Government undertakes its broader review of the Coastal Trading Act of which we will continue to support CLIA and its members.”
“We also welcome the implementation of a digital update to the paper passenger card. ATIA has been united with other key industry associations in calling for seamless border facilitation and this is a great step forward. It is a welcome investment into solutions to improve the border experience by travellers.”
Key Facts:
About ATIA (www.atia.travel):
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s $69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.
This year alone, ATIA members booked $13.5 Billion TTV of retail bookings, $11.8 Billion of Corporate Bookings and $5.6 Billion of Land Operations. Typically, at least 70% of all international air sales in Australia are through our members, and over 90% of corporate sales (medium and large businesses), rather than directly through airlines. Whereas with cruises, 73% of travellers use travel advisors to book.
An impressive 92% of ATIA members are small businesses, with women making up 72% of the workforce.
ATIA administers the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS), which is the largest and most representative accreditation scheme for travel businesses in Australia. ATIA represents over 1,120 ATAS members and over 28,000 employees nationwide, directly supporting 16.98 million Australian travellers every year.
Contact details:
For media enquiries, please contact:
LJ Loch
E lj.loch@atia.travel
M 0488 038 555