Firstly, the good news. The travel industry is firing on all cylinders (again), with plenty of work out there for those who want to undertake a career in the industry. The bad news is, there’s a major skills shortage, including among travel agents.
One of the hottest topics in the sector right now is the challenge facing travel businesses when it comes to recruitment. And a new survey by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) underlines it.
According to the study, only one-third of businesses were able to fill all their vacancies for travel agent roles in 2023. That leaves a lot of companies understaffed – and a lot of potential business left on the table. Worse still, the undersupply of skilled workers is hitting every level of business.
In the survey, five in six (84 per cent) businesses reported a shortage of suitably skilled workers for travel consultancy roles, while this jumps to 100 per cent for travel agency manager positions.
Elsewhere, nearly half (45 per cent) of the businesses that took part in the study reported a shortage of skilled workers for sales, marketing and business development roles, while two in three (67 per cent) struggle to find enough tour guides.
ATIA’s research shaped its submission to the Federal Government’s 2024 Skills Priority List, guiding funding and projects for high-demand jobs.
ATIA’s advocacy work has also seen it selected as one of just five experts in the new ‘Travel and Tourism Strategic Workforce Advisory Group’, which forms part of Service and Creative Skills Australia’s (SaCSA) ‘Roundtable for the Jobs and Skills Council for the Travel and Tourism Industry’.
ATIA Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Ingrid Fraser said the travel industry was now in a “decisive moment”.
“Being part of the Travel and Tourism Strategic Workforce Advisory Group enables us to directly voice the concerns and suggestions of our members, ensuring that the pressing needs for skilled professionals in our sector are not just heard but acted upon,” she added.
“Our engagement with SaCSA and participation in government consultations underlines our commitment to advocate for a robust and accessible travel industry.
“We are dedicated to representing the interests of our members and ensuring that Australians can continue to journey with ease.”
The association also recently took part in talks on passport legislation, advocating for affordable passports for Australians. From 1 July 2024, the cost of obtaining an Australian passport will rise 15 per cent, which would make the world’s most expensive passport (among OECD nations) even more expensive.
Earlier this month, the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) announced the introduction of the CATO Touring Academy, a certification program designed to equip retail travel agents and industry newcomers with specialised knowledge, facilitated through an online training platform.
