AFTA workshops begin as reform progresses

AFTA workshops begin as reform progresses
By admin


The Australian Federation of Travel Agents held the first of its transitional workshops in Canberra today as the reform of travel agent licensing enters its next stage.

Around 500 agents have signed up for the workshops which take place in the Gold Coast tomorrow and Adelaide on Wednesday before moving to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne next week. They conclude in Darwin and Perth the following week.

A Webinar will be held on December 10 for retailers unable to attend in person.

Indicative pricing for membership of the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme will be among the subjects covered during the workshop. Seven categories of membership have been created based on Total Transactional Value.

Accreditation general manager, Gary O’Riordan, told Travel Today from Canberra this morning that membership fees will start from just under $500 for retailers with a turnover of under $1 million.

He said it was a “significant saving” on the soon-to-be scrapped Travel Compensation Fund and travel agent licensing structure.

The cheapest annual cost under the old system was around $4000, O’Riordan said.

Accreditation fees for companies with multi-million dollar TTVs will be subject to negotiation, he added.

O'Riordan said the costs would relate to each business, not branch locations.

The workshops will also examine the practical consequences of winding up the TCF, discuss the key principals of Australian Consumer Law and set out the final accreditation scheme criteria and what will be required by way of audit and financial reporting.

Latest News

  • News

Collette special offers across peak northern summer season

Global tour operator Collette has announced a series of special offers on selected dates across a range of tours in the peak northern hemisphere 2024 summer season. Greece The offers include ‘Greece & Its Islands’ features classics such as the Parthenon as well as the picturesque islands of Mykonos and Santorini. A saving of $700 […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries

Air India and All Nippon Airways have signed a codeshare agreement connecting their networks. The new commercial partnership will provide more travel opportunities for customers of both India’s leading global airline and the largest Japan’s largest carrier. Effective from 23rd May, the Air India and All Nippon Airways agreement will see passengers fly to their […]

  • News

A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave

A&K Travel Group will now provide a minimum of 18 weeks paid parental leave for both care-givers, setting a new standard for the travel industry. By providing 18 weeks of paid time off for all new parents, regardless of gender, A&K Travel Group is not only enabling parents to spend valuable time with their newborns […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]