MTA urges positive approach to reform

MTA urges positive approach to reform
By admin


The travel industry must stop “denigrating” the reform process currently being undertaken by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) and instead start contributing to a more positive outcome, according to Mobile Travel Agents managing director Roy Merricks.

Merricks, who attended the first round of ATAS workshops, described criticism of the scheme as “isolated” and questioned its basis.

“All of our businesses are different and it's our ability to decide if ATAS is for us individually and to tailor a range of insurances, the likes of which have never previously been made available in this country, accordingly,” he said.

This is one of the scheme’s structural advantages, he added.

“The system has been broken for years and thanks largely to the efforts of AFTA, and particularly CEO, Jayson Westbury and ATAS general manager, Gary O’Riordan, positive change is now a reality and thankfully coming in the very near future."

Merricks paid tribute to the efforts of AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury in persistently petitioning Canberra for change on behalf of members.

“From an MTA perspective, it’s a "thank you" from us for the efforts Jayson and the AFTA team have gone and are going to.”

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • 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 […]