AFTA approves new constitution, voting structure and welcomes directors

AFTA approves new constitution, voting structure and welcomes directors
Edited by Travel Weekly


    AFTA’s members have approved a significant milestone by giving the green light to a new constitution.

    A comprehensive “yes” vote of 100 per cent in favour of adopting the new constitution as unanimously recommended by AFTA’s board of directors was achieved at AFTA’s AGM in Sydney. This is AFTA’s 46th AGM.

    There has been a significant review and public consultation to establish the new constitution which reflects the changes in the travel sector and embeds the principle of fairness in AFTA’s governance.

    The association received 6 eligible nominations to be a director of AFTA. Those formally re-elected to the board are:

    • Christian Hunter
    • Graham Turner
    • Laura Ruffles
    • Danielle Russom
    • Shelley Beasley
    • Cinzia Burnes

    Tom Manwaring was re-elected chair and Christian Hunter and Graham Turner, vice chairs.

    Other highlights of the year include:

    • The formation of the Workforce Taskforce to focus on Travel’s workforce and skills shortage. Detailed policy positions and several submissions were developed with multiple ministerial and departmental briefings achieving change for members including the addition of “travel consultants” to the Government’s Skills Priority List;
    • Submissions to the ACCC, Austrade, and various Parliamentarty Committees and Reviews;
    • 143 political and 123 public sector briefings;
    • Ongoing Advocacy work including through investment in the LNP and Labor policy forums and corporate programs as well as National Press Club
    • Member Services and Support including the return of NTIA in October and the very first Women in Travel Summit in March.

    The AFTA board also met today with deliberations including the ongoing comprehensive review of the organisation’s strategic direction.

    “It’s been a busy year hallmarked by extensive consultation across AFTA, the Travel Sector and more widely as we reshape the organisation to deliver for all members,” said AFTA chair Tom Manwaring.

    “One of the cornerstone commitments that shapes all our decisions is a focus on fairness and this is embedded in our new Constitution. The reforms are many including at voting level with Member votes now aligned in a more balanced and fairer structure.

    The adoption of the new Constitution is one of the most significant milestones in this organisation’s existence and cements the Board’s focus on renewal and growth over the past 12 months.

    “We made a commitment to Government 10 years ago when we de-regulated that we would have an accreditation program that is meaningful and that consumers can have confidence in. This is why so many of our resources go to ensuring ATAS is robust including through managing complaints from consumers and supporting members in resolution of issues, checking financials and delivering a robust compliance regime.

    “We are finalising the ATAS Advisory Committee which will have dedicated positions for Agents, Tour Operators, Wholesalers and Consumer Groups with details to be released in the next quarter.

    “We reject suggestions that IATA membership alone can or should be the answer to accreditation as that approach is not in the interests of consumers or members. It ignores the reality that air is not the majority component of leisure travel and falls short of the expectations of Government, consumers and the market that robust financial criteria are in place.

    “We are currently finalising the strategic plan for the next 4 years which will drive the greatest change and improvements to our membership in many decades.”

    Featured Image: L-R: Richard Taylor, Dean Long with Directors James Kavanagh, Shelley Beasley, Chair Tom Manwaring, Roy Merricks, Christian Hunter, Danielle Russom, David Greenland (directors attending in Sydney)

    Latest News

    • Aviation

    Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

    It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

    • Attractions

    SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

    AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

    • Cruise

    Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

    Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

    • Technology
    • Travel Agents

    Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

    Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]