The Coalition Government is providing $75.5 million in targeted support for travel agents and tour arrangement service providers.
The program will support eligible travel agents and tour arrangement service providers who continue to support consumers to rebook their travel using existing COVID-related travel credits.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Michelle Landry said the funding would provide further support for travel agents to operate as the tourism sector continues its recovery.
“Australia’s tourism industry is back, with international and state borders now open,” Ms Landry said.
“As confidence in travelling continues to grow, Australians are booking holidays and our travel agents are thoroughly in demand.
“This program will support travel agents and tour arrangement service providers to meet ongoing costs of running outlets and continue to process re-bookings.
“I know that travel agents in Capricornia have worked tirelessly to help clients through changing restrictions, cancellations and refunds. That’s why I advocated for targeted measures like COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program and the Tourism and Aviation Network Support Program.
“This announcement of further support for travel agents is another example of the Federal Government backing families and their businesses,” Ms Landry said.
So far, eligible businesses have received $184 million under the program, with 5,455 grants issued to approximately 3,233 travel agents and tour arrangement service providers.
Round 3 of the program is open to businesses who have received a CTSP Round 2 or Round 2 Multi-outlet payment along with a new stream for eligible travel agents and tour arrangement service providers that commenced operations in the calendar year 2019 and achieved a pro-rata turnover (not sales) of between $50,000 and $20m during that year.
Maximum grants of $90,000 down to $7,500 (pro-rated for the new stream for partial year operations) will be provided based on the eligible turnover and reference period under Round Two and / or the Multi-outlets scheme.
Applications for the third round of grants will open on 29 March and close at 20 April 2022. Applications will be assessed on receipt, and payments processed once an application is approved.
For more information visit: COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program – Austrade
