AFTA accreditation enters next phase

AFTA accreditation enters next phase
By admin


The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has been awarded a grant of $2.8 million by Consumer Affairs ministers for the development and implementation of its new accreditation scheme.

Although well below the $9m requested, the sum, to be drawn from Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) reserves, will provide AFTA with adequate resources to fund its plans for the new scheme, according to chief executive Jayson Westbury.

"This grant brings a base funding to the industry to ensure that the accreditation scheme can be delivered and established properly," he said.

The body will embark on a national roadshow in the coming months which will enable it to consult with industry members from across Australia and directly involve them in the development of the new scheme.

Although the terms of the TCF trust deed mean funds cannot be returned to agency owners, with the remainder instead destined for return to the state and territory governments, Westbury was confident the industry would see the value of the plans, now made possible by the grant.

"As we go around the country and explain the accreditation scheme and engage in two-way communication with agency owners, I am sure everyone will see that our plan is very sound," he said.

Meanwhile, AFTA's recently appointed general manager accreditation Gary O'Riordan underlined his commitment to engaging with as many agents as possible over the coming months with more elements of the scheme's roll-out to be revealed soon.

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]