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ATIA Delivering for All Members, Including Travel Advisors - Multiple channels ensure every member group has a strong voice and tangible support

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has reaffirmed that everything it does is shaped by the voices of its members. From policy advocacy to accreditation to tailored industry support, ATIA ensures members’ perspectives directly guide priorities, decisions, and outcomes across the sector.
 
From standing shoulder-to-shoulder with members through COVID to securing critical government support, ATIA has consistently delivered when it mattered most. Today, its focus remains firmly on supporting travel businesses through practical policy wins, trusted accreditation, and member-specific services.
 
ATIA’s agenda is shaped directly by its members. From the Board table down to individual engagement, members’ voices shape ATIA’s priorities and its advocacy agenda. This ensures that every category of member not only has a voice, but also sees tangible outcomes.
 
The proof is in the pudding. ATIA provides multiple avenues for members to articulate their needs and receive support, including:

• Board-level representation: each membership category has formal representation at the ATIA Board, ensuring their specific priorities are hardwired into decision-making.
• Pulse Meetings: the most recent forums attracted strong attendance, with members shaping ATIA’s advocacy on the RBA surcharge ban, workforce training reforms, emerging issues in cruise and air including ADMs, direct client contact and more
• Direct and daily engagement through calls, emails, tailored advice and industry briefings, ensuring individual concerns are heard and acted upon.
• Webinars and updates equipping members to stay ahead of regulatory, legislative and industry changes, from small business regulation and insurance to modern slavery, sexual harassment, workforce reforms and technology.
• Community platforms including the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) and Beyond Borders, which foster collaboration, celebrate excellence and elevate member perspectives from across the sector.

 Advocacy priorities and outcomes are driven by our members’ voices. ATIA’s submissions and campaigns are built on direct input from members, leading to real wins such as:
 
Exclusion of travel advisors from the Aviation Industry Ombudsman Scheme, protecting them from additional costs as well as unfair liability for refunds.
 
Aviation Customer Rights Charter to strengthen consumer protections and fair treatment of advisors.
 
Stronger focus on airline competition including reforms to route access and slot management, backed by research from former Qantas Chief Economist Tony Webber.
 
Workforce reforms, including securing travel occupations on the migration list and maintaining traineeship incentives, as well as initiatives to attract new entrants to the sector such as The Travel Gap.
 
Traveller facilitation measures including passport modernisation and smarter borders.
 
ATIA has already made a comprehensive submission on the importance of the Retention of surcharging rights, defending small businesses from unfair payment costs. This is a current advocacy priority.
 
Members are updated continually on all this work both directly, through trade media and through ATIA member meetings including the Pulse meetings.
 
QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG:
“ATIA’s work is always done with our members, not just for them. From sub-committees to working groups to our NTIA custodians, members’ voices are central to shaping what we do every single day.”
 
“Our members set ATIA’s agenda. From one-on-one engagement and daily support, through to Pulse meetings and Board-level representation, ATIA is built on listening to members and delivering outcomes that matter to them.”
 
“The proof is in the pudding. Our advocacy record from airline competition and surcharging, to workforce reforms and traveller facilitation shows how member input is turned into real results for travel advisors and the entire industry.”
 
“From COVID support to today’s policy and industry challenges, ATIA has always been focused on delivering for our members in ways that truly matter.”
 
“Our accreditation program, tailored support streams and powerful advocacy ensure members are backed with the tools, recognition and representation they need to thrive.”