ATEC looks to boost backpacker members
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) is in discussions with the Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel (BTAP) about reducing the cost of membership for new entrants in a bid to get more backpacker businesses to join the organisation. Under the current fee structure, members pay between $1,000 and $3,300 depending on the number of employees they have, with smaller companies under 20 staff paying the lower fee.
ATEC Deputy Managing Director Gary O’Riordan said most backpacker businesses qualify for the $1,000 fee, but this would be reduced to around $500/$600 to attract new members from the sector. However, he said the move could present a revenue risk for ATEC if existing backpacker members demand the new price. As a result, ATEC is considering a tiered membership structure, where companies paying the reduced fee would not get access to workshops or meetings with overseas suppliers at its annual Symposium for example.
The proposal was considered and rubber stamped at the BTAP meeting in Darwin last week and will now go back to ATEC for further discussion and ratification.
Meanwhile, BTAP Chair Peter Burke said the panel was also looking at ways to widen its membership base to include international student bodies and adventure travel operators. He said BTAP plans to approach the Adventure Travel Trade Association about a possible tie-up and may send a representative to its Summit in Quebec, Canada in October.
By Martin Lane · May 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
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