The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced several changes to its board after its 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held this morning (19 June).
With Tom Manwaring retiring today, it was revealed that Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter would be stepping into the role of board Chair. Manwaring, CEO of The Express Travel Group, steps down after a decade as a board director and six years as Chair.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be elected as ATIA’s Chair and lead such an esteemed board. I’d like to acknowledge outgoing Chair, Tom Manwaring, for his outstanding leadership throughout some extremely challenging circumstances,” Hunter said.
“Tom’s dedication and vision have left an indelible mark on the ATIA and the broader travel industry. His contributions have been invaluable, and his impact will be felt for many years to come.”
Moving into the role of Vice Chair is Corporate Travel Management CEO Australia and New Zealand, Laura Ruffles. Ruffles will work alongside Graham Turner, who is returning as Vice Chair.
New Directors
Joining the FY2025 board as new directors are Brett Mitchell (Intrepid Travel Managing Director Australia & New Zealand), Gai Tyrrell (Managing Director Asia Pacific at Globus family of brands) and Rohan Moss (General Manager Consolidation at Helloworld Travel).
ATIA hopes that the new board members will continue to represent the wide net ATIA casts in the travel industry.
“We are delighted to have such passionate and experienced industry leaders in the form of Brett, Gai, and Rohan join the Board. Our new directors all love the industry and are eager to share their expertise and contribute,” Hunter said.
“Our new Directors bring their experiences from decades working in travel across different sectors, and each reflects the vibrant mix of businesses that form our Membership base.
Continuing as directors are David Hosking (The Travel Corporation Australia CEO), David Smith (Flight Centre Company Secretary) and Peter Muller (ATPI Group).
Serving a two-year term, the formally elected board of directors comprises Hunter, Ruffles, Cinzia Burnes, Danielle Russom, Graham Turner and Shelley Beasley.
Speaking at a packed AGM, outgoing Chair Manwaring said the addition to the lineup, along with the current six directors up for election next year, “proves it to be the most effective board I think the industry has seen”.
“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved, together over the past decade. Serving on the board and leading as Chair has been an honour,” he remarked.
A slightly teary Tom also ran through some of the highlights of the year for ATIA.
“It was our first year operating as the Australian Travel Industry Association and the decision 12 months ago is already delivering for our members,” he said.
“For ATAS, 25 per cent of those who sought to become accredited did not meet the standards of the accreditation scheme and were denied eligibility – just to show the improvement within the ATAS product.
“To improve the industry’s oversight of the scheme, we’ve established the independent ATAS advisory committee with representation [of] ATAS travel agents, tour operators, wholesalers and networks separate to the ATIA board.
“This ensures the direct advice to the board from across membership into how the scheme operates today and how it can be improved.”
He also highlighted that the ATAS website had over 150,000 visitors, up from 81,000 visitors in the previous year.
“So it’s a tremendous indicator for the growth of the ATAS positioning.”
On advocacy, he noted ATIA’s two appearances at parliamentary inquiries in the past year.
“The team, led by [ATIA CEO] Dean [Long] developed 10 separate submissions and they had 281 meetings across all elected officials and public service. So a lot of work going on in Canberra,” he added.
“These were on the critical issues facing our members including airline competition policy, skills and migration, and direct business support programs.”
Elsewhere, ATIA:
- Launched the Member Skills and Workforce Survey and NTIA Custodians program to boost member engagement
- Continued engagement with the Government to support rebuilding travel workforces and ensuring key occupations are eligible for skilled migration.
- Conducted the first Skills & Workforce Survey, providing a benchmark for ATIA’s advocacy and consultation throughout the year.
Newly named director Rohan Moss highlighted the importance of ATIA.
“ATIA plays a pivotal role in the business success of members by promoting an equitable playing field, resolving key issues for Members, and enhancing the reputation of our industry as a whole,” he added.
“Much like ATIA, which represents all facets of the travel industry, my background also covers a wide range of travel sectors, and I am grateful to now have the opportunity to share my insight, knowledge, and experience with the board.
“My deep understanding of all major segments of the travel landscape has been built over 40 years in the industry, including travel agents, wholesale, airlines and consolidation, hotels and corporate and government travel management.”
New director Brett Mitchell said he was a “passionate believer in why the ATIA was created – that is, to bring our industry together”.
“As director, I will work with the board to advocate strongly for member business interests at all levels of government, representing the specific needs of the tour operator segment while also bringing my unique global perspective that encompasses the breadth of the travel landscape,” he said.
“ATIA plays a critical role in promoting the key economic importance of the multibillion-dollar travel industry and engaging with key political decision-makers to continue rebuilding the travel workforce.
“I’m excited to take the opportunity to elevate ATIA’s position as a shared voice for travel and drive more industry collaboration and public awareness of the value of ATAS.”
Incoming director Gai Tyrrell her message for ATIA members is a “simple one”.
“I will work to maintain your confidence and advocate on your behalf because I understand the economic importance of travel and the challenges member businesses are facing,” she said.
“I am incredibly proud to be giving back to an industry which has supported me throughout my career. I have witnessed constant change in our industry over three decades, so I bring the board a firsthand understanding of successful strategies to maintain commercial resilience through turbulent times.”
Last week, ATIA announced that Spiros Alysandratos would be stepping down from the board on 19 June, ending 16 years as a director.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the Board and advocate for a united voice for travel to advance the interests of our member businesses for 16 years,” he said.
ATIA also recently confirmed that MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Managing Director Roy Merricks would be moving on from the board after two years of service and joining the ATAS Advisory Committee.
“I’m proud of my role in working closely with my fellow directors over the last two years to set the new direction of ATIA,” he remarked.
“It’s now my pleasure to focus on ATAS and to continue volunteering my time to give back to the travel industry in a meaningful way when it has given both myself and Karen [Merricks] so much.”
“My decision to join the ATAS Advisory Committee means I will continue to advocate for the mobile home-based network segment of the travel industry, which is the fastest growing segment in travel, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the ATAS accreditation scheme to benefit our entire industry.”
Earlier this year, ATIA unveiled details of its first summit, Beyond Borders, to be held during the week of the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA). Last week, ATIA announced that nominations for NTIA hit a record high.
