The Travel Headlines We’d Rather Not See

Travel can often be like a five-year-old child. You can’t turn your back on it without something happening.

This month we’ve seen two major events that we’d prefer had not happened.

At home, the collapse of yet another domestic airline. Following in the slipstream of Bonza, Ansett, Tiger and so many others, Rex went into voluntary administration, a body blow for those living in regional towns across the country.

“On the surface it appears to be simply mismanagement,” writes Dr Paul Strickland, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management at La Trobe Business School, in an exclusive article for this month’s Traveltalk.

“But it is more likely the expansion of the fleet too quickly, the introduction of capital city routes and not selling all seats on flights leading to the company’s demise.”

While the post-mortem over yet another failed Aussie airline continues, the Australian Travel Industry Association is seeking urgent Government help for the whole travel eco-system.

“Many travel agents have been left with substantial outstanding amounts as a result of booking with Rex Airlines for clients,” commented Dean Long, ATIA CEO.

“Ensuring that those travel agents impacted are supported is essential given the circumstances, and also important for maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the Australian travel industry.”

So how do we stop this becoming a regular occurrence? Dr Strickland has a solution.

“The only way the aviation sector can guarantee services is if the government owns a controlling share of the airline of more than 51 per cent.”

Whether the federal government has the funds or the enthusiasm to become a partner in an airline business remains to be seen. We are a big country and seemingly it needs someone with big pockets to make a domestic airline fly.

Sadly, the other major travel story this month has been the devastating images coming out of Jasper in Canada.

Aussie firefighters have flown to Alberta to help battle the wildfires burning in and around the national park and township.

More than 25,000 people have been evacuated with hundreds of homes and businesses lost. Photos posted on the Parks Canada website show cars burnt out, buildings raised and whole communities decimated.

I was lucky enough to visit Jasper ahead of RVC, Canada’s annual trade show, back in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the place. The town was a little gem and the hospitality second to none. It was also a gateway to adventure and I still remember seeing my first black bear on a short drive out of town.

To see it now is just heartbreaking and the only crumb of comfort to be had is that it appears as though no lives have been lost in the inferno.

We’ve dedicated the cover of our August issue to the good people of Jasper and to thank all the emergency service personnel who are working tirelessly under very difficult conditions.

Tyler Riopel, the CEO of Tourism Jasper, said they had been touched by the outpouring of love and support from people around the world.

“Jasperites will be back to rebuild and when they do, one of the best ways to help them in the long-term will be to spend within the town. Eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, use our services, explore with our outfitters, rediscover Jasper,” he wrote.

“Our mountains have stood tall for millions of years and Jasper will stand tall through this.”

# If you would like to donate to support the people of Jasper, head to: www.jaspercommunityteamsociety.ca