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ATIA Announces Inaugural ITAA Members

Australia's independent travel agents and advisors now have a formal voice in national industry leadership with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) today announcing the inaugural members of the Independent Travel Agents Association (ITAA).

Twelve travel professionals from across the country spanning home-based agencies, boutique independents, regional retailers, and specialist operators have been appointed to the committee that will feed directly into ATIA's policy, advocacy, and strategic direction.

ITAA has been two years in the making. Under ATIA's A30 strategic plan, the association committed to ensuring every segment of the travel industry had structured, meaningful representation - not just a seat in the room, but a genuine role in shaping outcomes including through dedicated Board-level responsibilities for each member segment. For independent agents, that commitment is now delivered. ITAA mirrors the recently announced partnership with the Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC).

ITAA will meet a minimum of twice per year, publish a communique within 21 days of each meeting, and report annually against agreed KPIs. Members are appointed for two-year terms, with the inaugural committee structured for continuity through staggered appointments.

The inaugural ITAA members are:

• Robyn Sinfield - Home Travel Company (Tasmania)
• Julia van Huisstede - italktravel & Cruise The Junction (New South Wales)
• Brian Conway - Bonaventure Travel (Western Australia)
• Felicity Dascomb - Helloworld Pursers Travel Group (Queensland)
• Peta Godfrey - Travel Focus Group (New South Wales)
• Emma Whiting - Emma Whiting Travel (Victoria)
• Sonia Jones -  Sonia Jones Travel (Queensland)
• Paul Pearman -  Helloworld Travel Gisborne (Victoria)
• Sandy Chen -  Suncatcher Holidays
• Mandi Forrester-Jones - Viva Travel / Viva Destination Weddings
• Mario Paez -  Planetdwellers
• Nicole King - Holiday and Cruise Centre (Victoria)

 
ATIA-accredited travel agents and tour operators can find out more about ITAA at the ATIA website.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG:

"We launched ITAA to make sure that every sector of the industry has representation and a voice in the direction of the association. Announcing the inaugural membership today is a proud moment. These are experienced, dedicated professionals who will make the committee stronger from day one."

"These professionals represent the full breadth of the independent sector, home-based, regional, boutique, specialist. They bring front-line experience that no submission or survey can replace. ITAA will make ATIA's advocacy sharper and our industry stronger."

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ITAA MEMBERS:

ROBYN SINFIELD, Home Travel Company
“ATIA is an integral membership within our travel business, always working in advocacy around issues that affect the Australian Travel Industry. Small to medium enterprise travel agencies also have unique scenarios that might not always be as important to the bigger travel agency groups so it’s important to be able share with like minded colleagues to determine if further assistance of advocacy is needed and as one community resolutions can be made.”

JULIA VAN HUISSTEDE, italktravel & Cruise The Junction
“Supporting and advocating for our industry is important to me, I feel that I can add value and be a voice for what is a truly wonderful, dynamic, fun and rewarding industry and we need front line retailers active within to ensure that everyone is represented, heard and valued. I hope this group can combine collective knowledge and experience to add value to all sectors, because together we are stronger.”

BRIAN CONWAY, Bonaventure Travel
“As advisors, we deal with a wide range of day-to-day operational challenges, and often those issues stay within our own businesses. The ITAA is an opportunity to bring those issues forward and ensure the independent advisor voice is represented at a national level, while working towards practical outcomes that support advisors and agencies. Hearing what others are dealing with will be key to getting this right.”

FELICITY DASCOMB, Helloworld Pursers Travel Group
"I chose to be part of ITAA because independent voices are essential to the strength and future of our industry. Agents and advisors bring local knowledge, strong client relationships, and a level of care that is deeply valued. It's important we have a collective voice to ensure those perspectives are represented and supported as the industry continues to evolve."

EMMA WHITING, Emma Whiting Travel
"I chose to be part of ITAA because independent travel advisors are running real businesses, working closely with clients every day, and navigating an increasingly complex landscape. That perspective matters. It's important that our voice is represented in a way that reflects both the customer experience and the commercial realities of operating an independent agency."

SONIA JONES, Sonia Jones Travel
"Independent advisors and small businesses are a fast-growing part of the sector, yet much of the representation still sits with larger corporate players. Being part of the inaugural ITAA is about ensuring our voice is heard and reflected in the future direction of travel."

PAUL PEARMAN, Helloworld Travel Gisborne
“I chose to be part of the inaugural ITAA because I’m deeply passionate about the role travel advisors play in people’s lives not just as agents of travel, but as trusted partners in creating meaningful experiences. As our industry continues to evolve, it’s important that independent voices are heard and actively involved in shaping that future. This is an opportunity to support a stronger, more sustainable industry for both advisors and the customers we serve.”

SANDY CHEN, Suncatcher Holidays
“As an agent coming from the VFR market, I believe that VFR agents should not primarily focus on point-to-point air ticketing business. That is why I started developing my cruise market business after joining the outbound sector. I chose to be part of the inaugural ITAA because independent voices matter. We need a platform to share our diverse perspectives, challenge outdated practices, and shape an association that truly understands and supports the unique needs of independent travel agents. ITAA gives us that voice.”

MANDI FORRESTER-JONES, Viva Travel / Viva Destination Weddings
“I chose to be part of the inaugural ITAA because the travel landscape is changing, and independent agents need a stronger voice at the table. We bring a level of personal service, flexibility, and real world expertise that you simply don’t get anywhere else, yet too often we’re navigating the industry without being properly represented.

For me, this is about making sure those independent voices are heard and valued. When you back independent agents, you’re not just supporting small business, you’re strengthening the entire industry and keeping it innovative, relevant, and genuinely connected to how people actually travel today.”

MARIO PAEZ, Planetdwellers
"It is always better to be at the table reflecting the views that need to be heard. By representing independent agencies through ITAA, we can move beyond individual hurdles and create a robust, shared framework. I'm ready to do the work to ensure our collective voice is not just heard, but acted upon."

NICOLE KING, Holiday and Cruise Centre
"Independent and home-based agents play a critical role in this industry, but we need a clear, respected voice to match that contribution. Being part of the inaugural ITAA is about making sure that voice is heard not just in conversation, but in the advocacy and policy work that shapes our industry's future."

PETA GODFREY, Travel Focus Group
"As our industry continues to evolve, it is important that independent agents are represented by voices who understand the day-to-day realities, contributing honest, practical insight that drives positive change and strengthens the future for independent agents."