The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has the go-ahead for a new constitution after members voted unanimously for the motion at the AGM in Sydney on 21 June 2023.
There was significant review and public consultation to establish the new constitution, which reflects changes in the travel sector and embeds the principle of fairness in AFTA’s governance.
The reforms include voting at a member level, now aligned in a more balanced and fairer structure.
Returning directorships
AFTA also received six eligible nominations for Board Directors with Christian Hunter, Graham Turner, Laura Ruffles, Danielle Russom, Shelley Beasley and Cinzia Burnes formally re-elected. Chair Tom Manwaring was re-elected along with Vice Chairs Christian Hunter and Graham Turner.
The annual AGM also recapped the year’s highlights, which included the formation of the Workforce Taskforce to focus on the personnel and skills shortage; submissions to the ACCC, Austrade and various Parliamentary Committees and Reviews; and the return of NTIA and the first Women in Travel Summit among others.
Reflecting on the year that was
AFTA Chair Tom Manwaring remarked that it had been a busy year of extensive consultation internally and across the wider travel sector to reshape the organisation to deliver for all members.
He said AFTA is finalising a four-year strategic plan to drive some of the biggest changes and improvements for members in many decades.
“The new constitution is one of the most significant milestones in this organisation’s existence and cements the Board’s focus on renewal and growth over the past 12 months,” he said.
“We reject suggestions that IATA membership alone is the answer to accreditation as that approach is not in consumers’ or members’ interests.
“It ignores the reality that air is not the majority leisure travel component and falls short of expectations.
“We are finalising the ATAS Advisory Committee with dedicated positions for agents, tour operators, wholesalers and consumer groups. Details will be released in the next quarter.”
Read how AFTA fared by the numbers in 2022-23 here.
Find out more at afta.com.au
