Independent and home-based travel advisors have a new national platform with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) establishing the Independent Travel Agents Association (ITAA) with 12 inaugural members from across the country.
ITAA is two years in the making and provides a formal voice for independent advisors in national industry leadership, informing ATIA’s policy, advocacy and strategic direction with board-level representation.
The 12 founding ITAA members span home-based agencies, boutique independents, regional retailers and specialist operators, including:
- Robyn Sinfield – Home Travel Company (Tas)
- Julia van Huisstede – italktravel & Cruise The Junction (NSW)
- Brian Conway – Bonaventure Travel (WA)
- Felicity Dascomb – Helloworld Pursers Travel Group (Qld)
- Peta Godfrey – Travel Focus Group (NSW)
- Emma Whiting – Emma Whiting Travel (Vic)
- Sonia Jones – Sonia Jones Travel (Qld)
- Paul Pearman – Helloworld Travel Gisborne (Vic)
- Sandy Chen – Suncatcher Holidays
- Mandi Forrester-Jones – Viva Travel/Viva Destination Weddings
- Mario Paez – Planetdwellers
- Nicole King – Holiday and Cruise Centre (Vic)
ITAA will meet a minimum of twice per year, publish a communique within 21 days of each meeting and report annually on agreed KPIs. Members are appointed for two-year terms with staggered appointments for the inaugural committee.
Part of ATIA’s A30 plan, CEO Dean Long unveiled the initiative at the 2025 Beyond Borders Travel Summit, saying ITAA was launched to ensure every sector has representation and a voice in the association’s direction.
“These 12 professionals represent the full breadth of the independent sector: home-based, regional, boutique, specialist. They bring frontline experience that no submission or survey can replace. ITAA will make ATIA’s advocacy sharper and our industry stronger,” he said.
Inaugural ITAA members said independent voices bring unique perspectives to the Australian travel industry and looked forward to working with like-minded peers to add value to the sector.
Sonia Jones Travel’s Sonia Jones said: “Independent advisors and small businesses are a fast-growing part of the sector, yet much of the representation still sits with larger corporate players. Being part of the inaugural ITAA is about ensuring our voice is heard and reflected in the future direction of travel.”
Suncatcher Holidays’ Sandy Chen said: “We need a platform to share our diverse perspectives, challenge outdated practices, and shape an association that truly understands and supports the unique needs of independent travel agents. ITAA gives us that voice.”
Bonaventure Travel’s Brian Conway said: “The ITAA is an opportunity to ensure the independent advisor voice is represented at a national level, while working towards practical outcomes that support advisors and agencies.”
italktravel & Cruise The Junction’s Julia van Huisstede said: “We need frontline retailers active within to ensure that everyone is represented, heard and valued. I hope this group can combine collective knowledge and experience to add value to all sectors, because together we are stronger.”
Helloworld Travel Gisborne’s Paul Pearlman added: “This is an opportunity to support a stronger, more sustainable industry for both advisors and the customers we serve.”
