Caulfield South’s I Do Travel backs campaign for $125k government support package
The heart wrenching truth about what lockdown and border closures have done to the travel industry has been laid bare by one of Caulfield South’s most popular travel agents.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Caulfield South travel agent whose business has been crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic has backed an industry call for a $125 million government support package.
Brett White has owned I Do Travel in Hawthorn Rd for the past 13 years and developed a band of loyal clients, including corporate travellers.
But with borders closed and uncertainty surrounding future international travel arrangements, Mr White said the business was only just holding on.
“It’s dire. We haven’t seen a 30 per cent, 50 per cent or event 75 per cent reduction in business, it’s been a 120 per cent drop — we’re actually paying just to stay open,” he said.
“We have to pay for rent, telephones and computer systems to sit there and process refunds all day.”
Mr White said the monthly bill to run the necessary systems was about $2500, but the business wasn’t bringing in any income.
“We’ve had some help (from both levels of government) but it’s not enough,” he said.
“Some more financial help would be wonderful because at the moment we’re taking out mortgages and praying to God something happens.”
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents is calling on the government to bankroll a $125 million support package to help the country’s 4000 travel agencies.
Australia’s travel industry employs 40,000 people and contributes $28 billion each year to the economy, and 70 per cent of international travel is booked through agents, according to information provided by AFTA.
The majority of travel agencies are small, family owned businesses, and AFTA estimates up to a quarter will close as a result of the economic fallout from the virus.
The industry hasn’t received any support outside of the standard coronavirus support packages offered to all businesses such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker.
In contrast, other industries have received hundreds of millions of dollars in monetary relief, including builders through the home builder scheme ($688 million), Arts and entertainment ($250 million), film and television ($400 million), and aviation ($1.1 billion).
MORE:
TOP PRINCIPAL: WHY WE SHOULDN’T FOCUS SO MUCH ON ATAR
HOW COVID-19 IS PUSHING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO THE BRINK
NURSE FINED: WHY FRONTLINE WORKER COPPED HEAVY HIT TO POCKET