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ATIA convenes live Middle East crisis briefing this Wednesday

ATIA is bringing travel agents, tour operators, wholesalers and the broader travel industry together this Wednesday 18 March for a members-only Supplier Update Forum: Middle East Travel Disruption, a live, online briefing delivering direct operational intelligence from key suppliers as the crisis continues to reshape international travel. 

Running online from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm AEDT, the forum gives ATIA members direct access to suppliers across a series of focused 15-minute sessions with eight minutes of operational updates followed by seven minutes of live Q&A covering refund and rebooking policies, routing changes and practical booking management guidance. 

Suppliers confirmed to brief members include: Abercrombie & Kent/Crystal, APT Travel Group, Collette, Emirates, G Adventures, Globus/Cosmos/Avalon, Go Insurance, Intrepid Travel, Passportcard Australia, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and TTC Tour Brands (Trafalgar, Contiki, Insight Vacations, Costsaver). 

Wednesday’s forum is the latest in a series of member support initiatives ATIA has delivered since the Middle East situation escalated, including coordinating industry-wide media messaging, providing members with daily operational updates, and working directly with airlines and government to clarify traveller rights and refund obligations. 

ATIA members can register for Wednesday’s Supplier Update Forum at https://www.atpieventsau.com/atia-supplier-updates/supplier-updates-2026/Site/Register
Non-members can find out more about joining ATIA at ATIA.travel. 

ATIA membership is open to travel agents, tour operators, wholesalers, travel management companies and travel industry suppliers across Australia. With membership renewals closing on 31 March 2026, ATIA is encouraging all travel professionals not yet members to join before the deadline and access the full suite of member benefits including events like Wednesday’s forum, industry advocacy, supplier relationships and professional development. 

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEAN LONG, CEO AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION: 

"Right now, every agent, tour operator and wholesaler in this country is fielding calls from customers who want answers. This forum delivers them, straight from the suppliers, live, no filter. You walk away knowing exactly where your suppliers stand, what's covered, what's changed, and what you can confidently tell your customers today." 

"This is what ATIA membership looks like when it matters most, and with renewals closing 31 March, I'd be asking every travel professional who's not yet a member: what are you waiting for?" 

"The situation in the Middle East is moving fast. Don't try to keep up with it on your own; get in the room, hear it from the source, and walk out ready to respond to your customers with confidence. That's exactly what Wednesday is for."