28 January Farewell to Travel legend and Life Member Ossie Pitts AM RD January 28, 2025 By Amanda Rixon Media Release 0 The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) acknowledges the passing of Travel legend and Life Member Ossie Pitts AM RD, a long-serving President of the organisation and former Chair of the Travel Compensation Fund. Ossie served on the organisation’s Board for 13 years, including six years as President (1969–71 and 1984–86). He represented AFTA on the board of the world body of travel agents (UFTAA) over an 8-year term and became President for two separate years. He worked tirelessly for the industry, and in 1987, he became Chair of a new government body, the Travel Compensation Fund, administering to 3,500 travel agents. In 1988, he was awarded an AM for his services to the Travel Industry. After a distinguished career at sea, Ossie started working for his then father-in-law at Butler Air Transport in 1956, which was taken over by Reg Ansett in 1968. Ossie founded Mercury Travel and worked across several agencies, before finishing his career with Travels World at Crows Nest in Sydney, retiring at the age of 85. Ossie passed away at the age of 101 years old on 10 January 2025. QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CHAIR CHRISTIAN HUNTER: “Ossie Pitts was a visionary leader whose contributions to travel nationally and internationally were both transformational and enduring. His tireless dedication to ensuring professionalism, integrity and consumer protection continues to resonate within the Australian Travel Industry today.” “On behalf of ATIA and the entire travel community, we extend our deepest sympathies to Ossie’s family and friends.” Related Articles ATIA Highlights the Critical Role of Travel Advisors This Global Travel Advisor Day The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is using Global Travel Advisor Day (7 May 2025) to highlight the critical contribution accredited travel businesses and their incredible staff make every day to safer, smarter travel and championing their value as trusted professionals supporting millions of Australians. Travel has a new home – the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) The Australian Travel Industry has a new peak industry body representing travel agents and advisors, tour operators, consolidators and wholesalers replacing the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) effective today. ATIA and My First Job Launch “The Travel Gap” to Expand Travel Workforce The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has joined forces with My First Job, the innovative youth employment platform, to launch The Travel Gap, a new initiative designed to inspire and support school leavers in discovering exciting, real-world careers within Australia’s travel industry. Traveldream.com.au issues highlight importance of choosing only ATIA-accredited travel businesses The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is aware of reports of the collapse of Traveldream.com.au. Claiming tax deductions for travel businesses: webinar reminder for ATAS members One of the many benefits of ATAS accreditation is ongoing education for participating travel professionals, and next Tuesday’s webinar will welcome a guest presenter from the ATO to explain claiming tax deductions for small businesses. Golden Age of Travel Agents: Industry Hits Back at Misleading KPMG Report The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has rejected claims in KPMG’s latest research report that the travel agent profession is in decline, describing the findings as misleading and disconnected from both real-time industry activity and government-backed projections. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.