Virgin only backs ATAS agents
Virgin Australia has announced during a meeting with the AFTA Board of Directors recently that it will require any travel agent requesting to have credit facilities with the organisation to be ATAS accredited.
The final board meeting of 2014 discussed the strong industry adoption of ATAS and growing consumer awareness of accredited travel agents, emphasising the importance of this new requirement of Virgin Australia.
During the meeting, Virgin Australia’s general manager of global sales Shirley Field talked about the extensive work done by AFTA in the travel industry.
“Virgin Australia acknowledges the extensive preparatory work led by AFTA in the creation of the new ATAS accreditation scheme for travel agents across Australia which came into effect on 1 July 2014,” she said.
“We also value our partnership with AFTA and will continue to support them and the important work they do.
“We value greatly our relationship with travel agents across Australia and will continue to do this in the new deregulated environment. Together, we look forward to continuing to foster the growth of more productive and competitive travel businesses across Australia through the ATAS scheme.”
AFTA’s chief executive Jayson Westbury said 2014 has been a strong year for the Australian travel industry, with the introduction of ATAS a particular highlight.
“The introduction of ATAS, an industry led scheme, developed by the industry, for the industry has presented tremendous opportunities for businesses,” Westbury said.
“It has levelled the playing field with international competitors and provides a legitimate positive value proposition to make them more relevant, competitive and known.
"To date, we have seen over 2,400 travel agent locations across Australia embrace ATAS, accepting it as the future of the industry.
“I commend Virgin Australia for their leadership in mandating that any travel agent requesting to set up a new credit facility will be required to hold ATAS accreditation.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
accredited afta agents atas travel industry virgin australiaLatest News
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