The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomed the release of the Australian Federal Government’s COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report.

The report presents critical recommendations to strengthen Australia’s resilience and preparedness for future pandemics.

ATIA actively participated in the inquiry, submitting a detailed report that outlined the travel industry’s unique challenges during COVID-19, including limitations experienced with the $270 million Consumer Travel Support Grant (CTSG).

The Inquiry Report recognises ATIA’s submission and highlights the need for a refined understanding of industry profiles to improve crisis response and support key sectors like travel. The report also underscores the importance of ensuring that future pandemic responses remain proportionate and adaptable to changing conditions. 

While international border closures may still be considered, the report supports a balanced approach that weighs health, economic, and social impacts.

A missed opportunity

ATIA maintains that excluding the actions of individual States and Territories from the inquiry was a missed opportunity. 

ATIA chief executive Dean Long said: “ATIA’s position remains firm that excluding the actions taken by States and Territories during the pandemic from the review was a missed opportunity. The open-shut nature of state borders created significant disruption for travellers and the travel industry. We welcome the Inquiry’s call for clearer delineation of responsibilities across government levels, which will be essential in delivering a streamlined and effective response [in the future.]”

The significant effects of repeated border closures across Australia underscore the importance of a clear delineation of responsibilities between federal, state, and territory governments to ensure a coordinated response in future crises.

ATIA looks forward to working closely with the Federal Government to refine crisis planning for the travel industry, aiming to build frameworks that are streamlined, scalable, and supportive of the critical role travel businesses play in Australia’s economy.