Australian travel businesses have been advised to become “agile, resilient and forward-thinking” enterprises that can turn the COVID-19 crisis into opportunities. Lecturer Elaine Yang, from Griffith University’s tourism department, said the travel industry must use this “extraordinary time” as “an opportunity for transformation”, after the travel industry reached out to her for advice on how to handle the global pandemic’s effect on travel businesses. More than half of travel agents have seen their revenue plunged over 100 percent since the government introduced CCP virus restrictions in March, according to a survey by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) of over 1,000 Australian travel agents. “They have been paying more out in refunds, including previously made revenue than they are selling in new business. Fifty-six percent of these small businesses said they would have already closed down, if not for their commitment to ensuring their customers were refunded for holidays, “ASBFEO Ombudsman …