AFTA reveals highest agency turnover + more

Little girl with a butterfly

You might be familiar with the folk at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, or AFTA. Well, they’ve released a bunch of new data on the state of the travel agent industry today.

The new reports, which will be coming monthly, are called AFTA Travel Trends, and are aimed at helping the travel industry get a better grasp on the latest patterns in travel, becoming a better consultant in the process.

AFTA’s March Travel Trends showed that Australians took 9.9 million trips over the 12 months to January 2017. Of that 9.9 million, 70 per cent booked at least one part of their trip through a travel agent.

Aussies were travelling largely to three key destinations – New Zealand (1.3 million trips), Indonesia (1.2 million trips), and USA (1.06 million trips). But they also looked at snapshots of both the industry and its employment status, showing some interesting insights.

As far as employment in Australia goes, NSW leads the charge, with 7430 full-time travel consultants, followed by Victoria with 4824 and Queensland with 4054.

AFTA1

The workforce is split with 70 per cent female and 30 per cent male, while 58 per cent work full time and 42 per cent part time.

And what about the most important attributes for frontline staff?

  • Destination knowledge
  • Team player
  • Willingness to learn
  • Travel qualification (Cert III preferred)

A total of 42 per cent of agencies are also looking to hire new staff this year, first in frontline consultant roles, then business development / sales, followed by administration.

AFTA3

The age breakdown also shows the bulk of the workforce is aged between 32 to 45, and 46 to 56, with both brackets consisting of 29 per cent of the total workforce.

Seventy-two per cent of the travel agent industry is made up of retail leisure travel agencies, with corporate travel agencies coming in second place followed by travel wholesalers.

AFTA2

 

Latest News

  • Cruise

Princess Cruises unveils Sanctuary Collection, Star Princess to sail Alaska in 2026

From the sunny port of Barcelona, the Sun Princess welcomed worldwide media aboard for an update on what’s new and what’s next for Princess Cruises today, 23 April. The setting also doubled as the official naming ceremony for Princess’ first sphere class ship which was live streamed around the ship for all guests to enjoy. […]

  • 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 […]