The Australian Federation of Travel Agents’ (AFTA) National Taskforce for Workforce and Careers has concluded a “constructive” meeting with the Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon. Brendan O’Connor.
AFTA’s taskforce was created to help the travel industry overcome skills and staff shortages it calls the biggest obstacle facing travel’s full recovery post-pandemic.
Its’ meeting yesterday was the latest in a series of direct briefings AFTA has had with Ministers and offices responsible for shaping the future of Australia’s Visitor Economy.
“The reality of the ongoing massive challenge of workforce and skills shortages in travel is hampering recovery at a time when the hunger to travel is sharp, and the booking complexities greater than ever before,” AFTA chief executive officer Dean Long said.
“Australia’s travel professionals are doing all they can to bridge the shortfall but it’s not sustainable, which is why we are grateful to have the on-going dialogue with Federal Government.
“Today’s meeting with Minister O’Connor was constructive with significant ground covered including the need for both accredited and non-accredited in-house training to develop entry-level and operational staff.”
AFTA said it would continue to give members a platform through which to speak directly to government supported by policy positions governments can implement.
Present at the meeting along with Long and O’Connor were CTM’s Jenny Lambert and Nicole Galliford, ACCI’s John Hart, Express Travel Management’ Alisha Dopper, and Flight Centre online participant Kylie Conboy.
At the Express Travel Group (ETG) Reconnect 2022 Conference, Long said Aussies spend more on travel than white goods and cars.
Last month, AFTA opened expressions of interest for positions on the National Travel Industry Awards‘ (NTIA) Custodian Council. EOIs can be lodged here.
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