kabarsula ATIA backs Dean Long for another three years at the helm bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long will remain at the helm of the industry body for at least another three years, following the signing of a new agreement.

ATIA chair Christian Hunter confirmed the news at the association’s Beyond Borders event in Melbourne this morning, praising Long’s contribution to the organisation and its members.

“We’ve just entered into the new agreement that should see him connected to the association for at least the next three years,” Hunter told delegates.

“We’re thrilled about that. He does great work on behalf of all members, and we really look forward to great things in the next few years.”

The announcement comes as ATIA continues to implement its five-year strategic framework, Project A30, designed to strengthen the association and its representation of the Australian travel industry through to 2030.

ATIA looks towards 2030

Speaking at Beyond Borders, Hunter outlined the association’s progress under the strategy, which is built around four pillars: business growth and support, connection and events, advocacy and industry representation, and accreditation and trust.

Hunter said the objective was to ensure ATIA remained equipped to respond to future industry challenges .

“It is to make sure that this association is match fit, not just for the industry that we see today, but for whatever is going to get thrown at us over the next five years,” he said.

He highlighted the association’s advocacy work over the past year, including its intervention over Fiji’s proposed retrospective tourism tax, its response to international aviation disruptions and its efforts to protect members from additional regulatory costs.

Hunter also acknowledged that not every advocacy campaign had been successful, pointing to proposed credit card surcharging reforms as an example.

“You don’t win every single fight, and ATIA won’t always win,” he said.

“But what I can absolutely guarantee you is that we will always be putting our best foot forward.”

A growing industry voice

The announcement also follows a period of structural change for ATIA, including the integration of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) as a division of the association earlier this year.

Hunter said the expanded structure would give tour operators, wholesalers, corporate travel businesses and independent agents a stronger voice in industry decision-making.

ATIA is also overhauling its accreditation processes, with a target of turning around applications within 72 hours in 2027.

Hunter said the association’s success should not only be measured by new services or products, but also by the additional costs and regulatory burdens it had helped members avoid.

“Sometimes the things that we stop are actually more powerful than the things that we create,” he said.