Will Travel Advisors Be Last in Line for Bailouts?
Skift Take
Airlines, cruise ships, and hotels rely on travel advisors to book a lot of their business. A lobbying effort is afoot to make sure that thousands of these small businesses don't get left out of recovery measures.
As talks of bailouts for the travel industry swirl around — and divide opinion — there's another sector of the travel industry that is fighting to make sure it doesn't get forgotten: travel advisors.
The American Society of Travel Advisors is ramping up its lobbying and advocacy efforts, including asking its members to write to their elected officials and ask that travel advisors are considered in any financial relief package. A call to action tells members "your elected representatives need to hear from you during this time of crisis."
Travel advisors are, of course, small businesses that play a crucial role in securing revenue for big businesses like airlines, airports, hotels, and cruise ships. ASTA estimates that more than 140,000 people work in the travel agency industry in the U.S., with 98 percent of advisors considered small businesses. In addition to the 108,000 jobs created by retail locations across the country, an estimated 40,000 travel advisors work as independent contractors.
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The society is lobbying for this industry to be included in any indu