AN additional $128 million has been allocated by the Federal Government to support the travel sector (TD breaking news), with AFTA pledging to work with officials to ensure the extra money is “relevant to agency costs and promotes the retention of key expertise within the sector”.
The top-line figure was confirmed by Tourism Minister Dan Tehan this morning as part of a wider $1.2 billion package, with additional information expected to be forthcoming shortly.
Details are not yet clear, but TD sources indicate the $128 million may become available in the form of an additional three months’ support for industry businesses, with ongoing assessments for further funding thereafter based on the status of borders.
AFTA Chairman Tom Manwaring noted the urgent needs of the industry, saying “without tailored support we will see eight in 10 people still working in travel out of a job, and three in 10 businesses having to close”.
CEO Darren Rudd thanked the Government for acting on “our increasingly desperate pleas that ongoing support is critical”.
AFTA looked forward to continuing to work closely with the Government on the details of the implementation “so that this historic support goes to those travel businesses who most need help,” Rudd said.
He also noted that the ongoing refinement of the previous COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program was “continuing as a priority…AFTA will keep on working with Austrade to make sure support gets to where it is so desperately needed…this is our major priority”.
More on today’s funding announcements on page two.
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Source: traveldaily