Travel advisory pleases Australian travel agents

Does a subtle change to a government advisory make you more, or less, likely to travel?

The Australian Government this week lowered its travel advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4 "Do Not Travel" to Level 3 "Reconsider your need to travel."

The Australian Travel Industry Association, the umbrella body for licensed travel agents, is calling the subtle switch a win for Australian travellers.

The change matters most for Australians travelling through Middle Eastern hubs to reach Europe, the United Kingdom, India, and Africa.

More than 150,000 Australians have transited through the region in the past six weeks alone.

Throughout this period, ATIA says it has worked with the Australian Government, DFAT, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to ensure travel advice reflects both the risks on the ground and the practical realities facing Australian travellers.

ATIA says the Level 4 advisory "created real complications and confusion for travellers with brief airside transits, especially around insurance cover". The downgrade removes that.

Level 3 remains a high threshold and the Government’s advice is that non-essential travel should be avoided. Prudent when Israel continues to attack and provoke other nations in the Middle East.

DFAT continues to advise "Do Not Travel" to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Some areas within Israel also remain "Do Not Travel."

ATIA recommends speaking with an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator before booking.

"This is a sensible and welcome adjustment, and one ATIA has been seeking for some time," says ATIA CEO Dean Long/

"For many Australians, these hubs are the connecting points that get them to the UK, Europe, India and Africa. In seeking a travel advisory level commensurate with the reality of travel as a transiting passenger, ATIA was looking to ensure transiting passengers had all the benefits of travel insurance while on the ground.

“Additionally, with 150,000 Australians having safely travelled through those hubs, we wanted to ensure consumer confidence in Smartraveller’s advice remains optimum - travellers were telling our members that the “do not travel” advice for passing through just didn’t seem to hit the right balance.”

What you should do if you are booked to fly internationally

Cancelling a flight because of the volatile situation in the Middle East could be a big mistake, Australians have been warned.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is urging travellers not to cancel travel arrangements due to the Middle East situation without first seeking professional advice.

They are also being urged not to contact their travel agent unless they are travelling in the next 48 hours - to allow passengers who are immediately impacted to be supported.

ATIA says it is closely monitoring the airspace situation across the Middle East, which is having a direct impact on international flight operations and passenger itineraries.

Several countries in the Gulf region have closed or significantly restricted their airspace following an escalation in regional hostilities. Major hubs - including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha - are affected, with cancellations, delays and rerouting already underway across multiple carriers.

“The situation across the Middle East is evolving rapidly and is already disrupting international flight operations for Australians travelling via major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha,” says ATIA CEO Dean Long.

“Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are the most directly impacted at this stage, but European and other international carriers routing through Gulf airspace are also experiencing delays and rerouting. The impact is broader than many travellers may expect.

“Smartraveller has updated its advice for the UAE and Qatar at www.smarttraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/middle-east-conflict and travellers should be aware this may affect travel insurance provisions. We strongly encourage Australians to check DFAT’s Middle East conflict page and speak with their insurer if they have concerns.

"Our members are actively supporting impacted clients, managing re-bookings, securing alternative routes and providing up-to-date advice in what is a highly fluid environment.

“Our message to travellers is simple 1) do not cancel arrangements without first seeking professional advice; 2) please unless you are travelling in the next 48 hours and have not been contacted, hold off contacting your travel agent right not to allow them to support those currently caught up in, and who are stranded, delayed and dealing with cancellations. The situation is evolving rapidly, and experienced travel professionals are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance tailored to each traveller’s circumstances.”

Image: Jan Niepel, Scop.io

Travel agents offer crucial advice to flyers

Do you have a flight booked to Europe via the Middle East? 

With escalating tensions impacting global aviation routes, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is advising Australian travellers to remain informed and not to cancel their flights.

Airspace closures over Iran, Israel and Russia have significantly narrowed flight corridors into Europe, with delays and route diversions common particularly for passengers transiting through Middle Eastern hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

Major carriers continue to operate with adjusted flight paths, and travellers using Singapore Airlines, Qantas or Cathay Pacific are experiencing minimal disruptions via Singapore and Hong Kong, ATIA says.

Airlines have well-established systems in place to navigate such restrictions, and have been operating under constrained conditions since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Travellers should expect some delays, but not panic.

ATIA says travellers will be contacted by their accredited travel agent or airline of delays and cancellations. 

It urges flyers to not contact agents or airlines unless they are travelling in the next three days. That enables those travelling immediately to be assisted. 

There is an increased chance of delays so travellers should be prepared that they may be spending some time airports as a result of schedule adjustments.

Avoid cancelling flights independently. When an airline cancels your flights you are entitiled to a full refund.

ATIA urges flyers to monitor official travel advice, particularly via the SmartTraveller website.

It says the evolving situation "reinforces the importance of booking through an ATIA accredited travel business as accredited agents and businesses are best placed to manage disruptions, rebook flights and ensure clients receive their full entitlements under Australian Consumer Law.

“Australians flying to Europe via the Middle East should be prepared for some delays, but it's important to know that global airlines have systems in place to manage these disruptions," says ATIA CEO Dean Long. 

"We’ve seen this before, and the travel ecosystem is built to respond.

“The closure of airspace is not new. Airlines have been rerouting around Russia and Ukraine for more than two years, and are now adjusting again. The airlines that fly to Australia have world leading safety protocols and route management.

“Travellers shouldn’t panic or cancel unnecessarily. The one thing we learned through Covid is don’t cancel as it reduces the number of rights you have. Let the airline make that decision. This approach ensures your rights are protected and you get the support you need.”

See www.atia.travel

Image: Kaydir Mumyakmaz, Scop.io

"Without us, your are on your own": travel agents issue a reminder

It is easy nowadays to book yourself directly with airlines and hotels.

Using a travel agent may seem a little old fashioned - and sometimes more expensive. Until the excrement hits the fan.

Then a travel agent may have the clout to rescue your trip.

With thousands of Australians impacted by the closure of one of the world’s most important airports, London Heathrow, and flight cancellations due to the ash cloud in Indonesia, Australian travel agents took the opportunity to remind potential customers what it is they do: solving problems, rebooking flights, and getting stranded travellers home.

The fire and subsequent power outage at Heathrow created significant travel chaos: disrupting flights worldwide and leaving Australian travellers scrambling for solutions. 

The ripple effect on Australians' travel plans was substantial, compounded by ongoing cancellations and delays due to volcanic activity in Indonesia.
"When travel plans fall apart, accredited travel agents are the difference between a quick resolution and being stuck in limbo," the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), which represents travel agents, operators, wholesalers and ITOs, said in a statement.

"Members are working around the clock to support Australian travellers, demonstrating why professional travel assistance is essential. Travel agents are rebooking flights, securing alternative routes, and ensuring travellers make it to their destinations with minimal disruption." 

In times of crisis, travel agents negotiate with airlines and suppliers on behalf of their clients, ensuring fair outcomes, ATIA says.

"The reality is clear: travellers who book through accredited agents and travel businesses have a trusted advocate when the unexpected happens. 

"ATIA urges Australians to always book with an ATIA-accredited travel business to ensure they have the support they need when global events impact their plans."

ATIA CEO Dean Long says: “The scale of disruption caused by Heathrow’s shutdown and the Indonesian ash cloud demonstrates just how critical Australia’s travel agents and businesses are when things go wrong. 

"Every day, ATIA-accredited travel businesses are working behind the scenes to rescue stranded travellers, reroute itineraries and provide trusted advice in real time.

“When the unexpected happens, choosing an ATIA accredited travel business means having the support you need to get back on track - because without a travel agent, you really are on your own.”

See www.atia.travel 

Image: Aleksei Popov, Scop.io

Australians travelling in record numbers

 

Australians are travelling at record levels, with outbound and inbound travel experiencing unprecedented growth in 2024, the latest Travel Trends Report from the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) shows. The report, which analyses data from various sources, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Infrastructure, shows a significant surge in both outbound and inbound travel for the year ending August 2024. Australians are embracing international travel more than ever, with major increases to key destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia, which, in effect means Bali, continues to be the top destination for Australians, with a 30.4% increase in travellers, reaching 1.59 million. Japan recorded the highest growth, with a 103.4% rise in Australian visitors, totalling 727,260 for the year.  Other key destinations include New Zealand (up 10.0% to 1.33 million) and the United States, which saw 728,550 Australian visitors, reflecting a 16.7% increase. China led the inbound market, with a 135.5% increase in visitors, reaching 844,940 in 2024. Growth from New Zealand visitors also remained strong, up 20.2% to 1.38 million, while visitors from Japan surged 64.9% to 373,700. Overall, inbound tourism to Australia grew 25.7%, with a total of 8.06 million international visitors in the year ending August 2024. “The incredible 30.4% year-on-year rise in travel to Indonesia, our top overseas destination, shows how much demand for international travel has skyrocketed," said ATIA CEO Dean Long. "But it’s the growth in new and emerging markets that really tell the story of 2024. The 103.4% surge in travel to Japan is a clear sign that Australians are looking for more than just a getaway - they’re seeking cultural immersion and unique experiences. "We’re seeing a shift towards more adventurous and diversified travel, with destinations like Thailand and Vietnam growing by 20.2% and 40.1%, respectively.”