The cat may have already leapt out of the bag earlier this week, but now the industry body has made it official.

The peak body for travel agents is very close to appointing its new CEO, after being forced to provide an update on the recruitment process.

While all eyes are on AFTA and who will be appointed as its next chief, former boss Jayson Westbury has found himself a new gig.

Are you planning to apply for the vacant top role at AFTA? Well, you may want to read this first (and also avoid suggesting that Tracy Grimshaw needs a firm uppercut).

Travel Weekly has gone one-on-one with Experience Co. CEO and former Tourism Australia boss John O’Sullivan. As in interview him – not verse him in an online game of chess or Battleship.

CONTENT WARNING: if you have an aversion to judgy shaking of the head, snide remarks and dramatic close-ups, proceed with caution.

After using a poor choice of words when talking about an Aussie TV host, Jayson Westbury has decided to step down.

Jayson Westbury has been busy back-peddling after suggesting a well-known Aussie TV presenter needed “a firm uppercut or a slap across the face”.

With interstate travel in Australia unlikely to return for another few weeks, one of the industry’s peak bodies is getting impatient.

AFTA’s chief executive has gone into bat for agents once again. Travel Weekly understands he’s chosen his Gray-Nicholls English willow to use this time around.

The peak industry body has announced what it says are “necessary changes” to the ACS due to the significant and unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the travel sector.

Jayson Westbury said that while the new JobKeeper payment is “definitely a very welcome step”, the industry body is trying to unlock even more support for agents.