Travel Agent Reform Group Engaged Together, or Target, says agents’ voices have been "unheard" throughout the Covid pandemic.

All agents, retail, call centre and homeworkers, are welcome to join the group for free, which is being coordinated via a dedicated Facebook page.

MORE: Target group founders join TTG to discuss their objectives [Video]

Founder member Jill Waite of Pole Travel said it was time for agents to join forces to get their collective voice heard by ministers.

"Other industries, such as hospitality, have been far more successful in engaging with the government," she said.
"This is best demonstrated by the hospitality sector getting £8,000 restart grants, while agents shops got £2,667 – and homeworkers nothing."

Waite added the group would been seeking views from agents on reforms that would give the community a stronger voice in the travel industry.

It comes after Abta, this week, signalled it was exploring judicial review action to challenge the "adequacy" of government support for travel during the pandemic, with a specific focus on restart grants.

Westoe Travel’s Graeme Brett, another Target founder member, said among the group’s aims was to coordinate agents to speak with one voice, regardless of which consortia, company or trade body they belong to or aligned with.

"Travel agents in Scotland have had more success as they have the Scottish Passengers Agents’ Association fighting for them as well," said Brett.

"We felt we needed a similar body for England and Wales. In the past year, there have been too many mixed messages of what support travel agents need.

"We will listen to what members and agents want, and then campaign together."

To get involved, agents should join the Target Facebook page in the first instance.