Local travel agents are in the fight for their lives with cancellations, staff isolation and a lack of support forcing operators to the brink.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has called on the State Government on this National Travel Day of Action to stop ignoring the pain of small and family businesses and their staff and immediately implement a support package.
“Travel agencies are one of the many small and family business sectors that have been forgotten by the State Government,” Mr Bennett said.
“After enduring almost two years of pain, we can’t let our small businesses, including family run businesses like Barolin Travel slip through the cracks and fall at this hurdle.
“The State Government must come up with a support package for small and family businesses and their staff immediately.
“Almost one in two people operate or work for small and medium businesses across Queensland.
“Why is the State Government abandoning these Queenslanders in their toughest hour yet?
“The LNP has been advocating hard for small and family businesses. We need to look at things like payroll tax relief, targeted support grants, sick leave cover and electricity or water rebates.
“There’s not time to waste. The longer this takes the Government the more small and family businesses will be lost.”
Barolin Travel Admin Manager Bhavana Shukla said it’s vital they raise awareness on National Travel Day of Action.
“Our jobs, our business, and our industry are relevant!” Mrs Shukla said.
“We are an integral part of the mechanics of travel in this world.
“Booking online is with a machine, but you still need a human being to operate that machine!
“We are calling on the Government to allow our businesses to again trade freely with the lifting of government travel bans and the cruise ban, and to support AFTA’s Travel Sector Skills Retention and Recovery Package.
ENDS.
25/01/2022