AFTA overhauls criteria for stronger industry

The ATAS accreditation criteria will be tightened, effective immediately.

Following a meeting with the AFTA Board on Wednesday, the criteria for ATAS accreditation will be tightened for all future applications and changes, effective immediately, ceo Jayson Westbury said.

While acknowledging challenges of late, including two agency closures in one month, Westbury told Travel Weekly “the industry should be proud of its future”.

“While we have had some challenges over the past few weeks, it would appear that the reputation of travel agents remains very strong and it is a testament to the industry working together as we respond and resolve the issues before us,” he said.

At the meeting the Board resolved that any shareholders and directors involved with any business applying for accreditation will now “be required to be named and this will result in further searches to those who may have an influence over the business and checked against the various publicly available registers that they are fit and proper people,” ATAS general manager, Gary O’Riordan told Travel Weekly.

Meanwhile, AFTA management will continue talks with State Government Ministers and Policy advisors to seek additional funding from the TCF reserve, in a move to further “educate consumers about the benefits of booking travel through an ATAS accredited agent,” Westbury said.

“AFTA will continue to market accredited agents to the consumer via a multi-platform, national marketing campaign throughout the year.”

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Latest comments

Bruce says:
June 6, 2015 at 2:07 am
What do they need more funding form TCF reserves for when they charge a fortune for this worthless accreditation? The $ collected from outrageous fees (far more than a licence used to cost) only goes into paying the salaries of AFTA executives.
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Melbourne Johnno says:
June 5, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Can’t wait to see the results of the “campaign” – meanwhile the industry is full of shady characters looking to do the runner at the first opportunity, no audits, no background checks on directors. Welcome to the future!
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Dean Tuckwell says:
June 5, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Well the new ads advertising ATAS will be a huge relief to the clients who have lost their money
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