Kerin Stonestreet: Dubbo travel agent backs call for urgent industry assistance
Small business owner Kerin Stonestreet has been forced to close one of her travel shops and put two staff out of work because of COVID-19. Without urgent assistance she fears more jobs will go.
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Dubbo small business owner Kerin Stonestreet has sold possessions, got a second job and raided her savings to save her travel agency and the jobs of devoted employees.
The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the Australian travel industry and with few signs of better days on the horizon, Ms Stonestreet has joined travel agents from around the country in calling for more government assistance for the struggling sector.
“I had an office in Orange and I closed it … I had to put two staff off and I had that agency for 11 years,” the We Know Travel owner said.
“For seven months I’ve been funding the office in Dubbo myself. I’ve only started my second job three weeks ago and prior to that I was just using my savings.
“I’ve sold two cars, we’re trying to cut costs wherever we possibly can, our office is only open three days at reduced hours and that is to try to cut the cost of the power, phones and utilities.”
Ms Stonestreet said travel agents had been working hard – and of often for nothing – to process refunds and cancellations, and organise credits for customers.
“We’re the only industry that has had to return income that we’ve already earned from last year.
“It’s shattering because I’m trying to keep afloat and keep positive, and to look after all of our clients, but it’s just such a quick changing rollercoaster that I’m struggling to keep on top of it all.
“We need a helping hand, we need some government funding. It’s a huge industry but it’s just been overlooked.”
If state borders aren’t reopened and government assistance is not provided, Ms Stonestreet fears her business will be gone by March.
“That is an absolute stretch, if I somehow cannot get through a negotiated lease reduction or surrender of a lease from Dubbo, I don’t know what will happen.”
In support of people like Ms Stonestreet and her staff, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents is pushing the federal government to spend $125 million on a rescue package to save the travel industry which consists of 4000 travel agents who employ 40,000 people.
“Without tailored support, these businesses will start closing,” an AFTA spokesman said.
“That means job losses, a gap in the market that the internationals will fill. They don’t pay taxes or employ locals.”
The spokesman said before COVID-19 the travel industry was self sufficient and had never relied on the government for support.
“We desperately need government to understand the unique position agents are in, the unique role agents play in supporting consumers and keeping the tourism sector going and to provide financial support. ”