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image courtesy: Austria Tourism, Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Karten/ Franz Gerdi
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is recognising and celebrating emotional resilience within the travel industry and will be providing 10 complimentary tickets to deserving women to attend the International Women’s Day Lunch, taking place on Thursday, 6 March 2025, at Q Events, Melbourne.
Industry members are encouraged to nominate individuals within the travel industry, who have demonstrated exceptional emotional resilience over the past year. This initiative will acknowledge those who have shown strength, perseverance, and leadership in challenging times.
To submit a nomination, participants must email cato@cato.travel with the following details: - Nominee’s name and company - Nominator’s name and contact details - A short statement (200 words or less) describing how the nominee has demonstrated emotional resilience in the past year
10 tickets will be allocated at the IWD Lunch towards this cause and nominations are open to anyone in the travel industry. If selected, both the nominator and the nominee will receive complimentary tickets to attend the event.
Applications will close on Friday 21st February 2025 and nominees will be announced.
The CATO International Women’s Day Lunch has been reimagined as a collaborative industry gathering, focusing on unity, emotional resilience, and collective impact. This event is designed to bring the industry together on equal footing to drive meaningful change and celebrate the strength and achievements of women in travel.
Date: Thursday, 6 March 2025 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: Q Events, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is excited to announce the launch of the first module in its highly anticipated Business Education series within The CATO Touring Academy.
The Touring Landscape - Roles and Responsibilities, is a new educational module within the academy that is designed to set a new standard in practical professional development for travel consultants, by providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex roles within the touring industry.
With the growing shift in consumer sentiment toward more bespoke, immersive and culturally enriching travel experiences, the new CATO business education module will help agents to navigate the complexities of packaging travel services, whilst also gaining insights into potential liabilities around booking terms and conditions, and recognising the pitfalls when inadvertently acting as tour operators.
Upon completion of this module, participants will have a greater clarity on the distinct roles of the touring sector’s ecosystem, how they interact, and the responsibilities they bear in creating seamless touring experiences.
“The launch of this module marks an important milestone in the Academy’s evolution. The Business Education section expands the Academy’s offerings, empowering travel consultants to not only excel in selling touring products but also build stronger, more sustainable businesses”, said Brett Jardine, Managing Director, CATO
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) proudly announces that Olympic gold medallist Noémie Fox will headline its International Women's Day Luncheon on Thursday, 6 March 2025, at Q Events in Melbourne. Under the theme "Emotional Resilience," this year’s event celebrates amazing achievements of women both within the travel industry as well as in our wider community .
Noémie Fox, a champion in canoe slalom, representing Australia on the world stage, captured the world’s attention with her stellar performance at the Paris Olympics.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Noémie is a fervent supporter of making sports accessible to young people, embodying the resilience CATO seeks to spotlight. Her participation underscores the luncheon's focus on empowerment and overcoming challenges.
"We are thrilled to have Noémie Fox, an exemplary model of strength and resilience, lead our International Women’s Day celebration. Her journey and advocacy perfectly align with CATO’s mission to support and uplift the incredible women in our industry," said Brett Jardine, Managing Director of CATO.
In addition to featuring influential speakers, CATO is committed to supporting the Women's Resilience Centre, which aids women transitioning from crisis care to recovery from domestic abuse, trauma, and loss. Contributions from ticket sales and partnership fees will be donated to this vital cause, emphasising CATO’s dedication to fostering resilience.
This year’s event welcomes organisations to unite under a shared purpose. Partnership opportunities are still available, offering brands the chance to come together to stand alongside others in unity as Brands for a Cause.
To find out more on partnership opportunities, email cato@cato.travel
Event Details:
Ticket Pricing:
For more information and to purchase tickets click here
Join CATO in a day of inspiration and empowerment, driven by stories of resilience and collective strength.
“11,000 Course Completions - 600 CATO Touring Certifications”
Since its mid-2024 launch, the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) Touring Academy has surpassed all expectations, with over 1,000 enrolments, 11,000 course completions, and more than 600 agents earning their CATO Touring Certification.
As the travel industry gears up for another dynamic year, the CATO Touring Academy is empowering travel professionals to elevate their expertise and achieve Certified Touring Specialist status.
The program delivers comprehensive sector insights, exclusive training with CATO Member brands, and advanced sales strategies.
“The engagement levels we’ve seen in such a short time are extraordinary – this has resulted in the number of course completions and certified agents doubling since late November”, said Brett Jardine, Managing Director, CATO.
“Our Touring Academy provides agents with an unmatched learning experience—combining authentic, sector-focused material with extensive brand training. It’s the perfect opportunity for travel agents to take their careers to the next level.” added Jardine
For further information and to enrol in the program click here.
We are delighted to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional achievements of our CATO members who were recognised at the Travel Weekly Women in Travel Awards, announced last week. Please join us in congratulating:
These accolades highlight the significant contributions women make to the land-supply and touring sectors, driving innovation, championing sustainability, and leading with purpose across the travel industry.
We also extend our congratulations to the CATO members who earned places on the Travel Weekly Women in Travel Power List:
We are proud to celebrate these remarkable women, whose leadership and dedication set an inspiring standard of excellence within the travel industry.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is poised to make a significant impact at the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London, with over 50 of its members attending one of the world’s largest and most influential global gatherings in the travel industry. Supported by the Australian Government’s Reinvigorating International Travel Grant (RITG) program, CATO’s impressive attendance signals a clear commitment to revitalising the travel industry and accelerating Australia’s outbound tourism recovery.
For 44 years, WTM London has served as the ultimate global meeting point for the travel and tourism sector, bringing together professionals and industry leaders from across the globe. Spanning three days, the event offers a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration, offering access to exhibitors from a wide range of sectors including, destinations, transportation, accommodations, and cutting-edge travel technologies.
“In an era where the travel industry is reestablishing its global connections, WTM London offers an invaluable opportunity for Australian tour operators to expand international partnerships and strengthen relationships with key global markets,” said Brett Jardine, Managing Director of CATO. “The RITG program has been instrumental in ensuring our members can participate in this flagship event, reinforcing Australia’s presence on the world stage and supporting the recovery of our outbound travel sector.”
With thousands of travel professionals coming together to create world-class travel experiences, WTM presents CATO members with invaluable opportunities to form new partnerships, source innovative products, and re-establish global networks. The substantial attendance this year highlights CATO’s unwavering dedication to fostering growth and collaboration within Australia’s outbound travel sector.
CATO’s expanded presence at WTM London marks a pivotal step forward for Australian tour operators and highlights its crucial role in rejuvenating the broader travel and tourism landscape. As CATO members explore, connect, and cultivate international partnerships, the resulting benefits will extend across the Australian travel industry, ultimately enriching the travel offerings available to Australian travellers.
Australian businesses are facing growing pressure to protect sensitive data and ensure strong cyber resilience as cyber threats continue to rise. The proposed Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024 is part of Australia’s strategic response to these risks, introducing new obligations for company directors to oversee and manage cyber risks effectively. For tour operators, this means a shift in how directors must approach data protection and cyber governance.
Why This Matters for Tour OperatorsThe travel industry relies heavily on sensitive client data, from personal identification to payment information. With these new reforms, directors and company leaders will face heightened responsibilities to ensure that all data is secure, managed responsibly, and protected from cyber threats. This is more than a compliance issue—it’s about safeguarding the trust clients place in tour operators and protecting the integrity of business operations.
Key Areas of Focus in the LegislationThe proposed legislative package introduces several new requirements for company directors, including:
Mandatory Incident Reporting: Directors will need to report certain cyber incidents promptly, ensuring quick responses and regulatory compliance.
Privacy and Data Security Standards: Enhanced expectations around data handling and privacy protection aim to minimise risks, especially for industries like travel where data is critical.
Risk Management: Directors must take an active role in implementing and overseeing cyber risk management, ensuring organisations are prepared for potential threats.
Get the Full PictureFor directors and leaders in the travel industry, understanding these upcoming changes is essential. Our comprehensive whitepaper on the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024 details these new obligations and offers insights on steps directors can take now to prepare.
To read the full whitepaper, visit the 4walls website https://4walls.au/cyber-security-legislative-package-2024/. Preparing today means better protection for your clients, your business, and your team tomorrow.
Since its debut on July 1st, the CATO Touring Academy has set new benchmarks for industry upskilling and as an essential resource for travel agents seeking to stay ahead in the competitive touring sector.
With over 3,500 course completions in less than four months, the Academy has quickly established itself as a key tool for professional development. Travel agents across Australia and New Zealand are embracing the Academy’s rich curriculum, enhancing their ability to sell and manage touring products in today’s evolving market.
The CATO Touring Academy offers:
This diverse curriculum ensures that travel agents have access to the tools and insights they need to take advantage of the lucrative land focused touring sector.
Learners have praised the Academy’s content, with one agent sharing, “I’ve been in travel for more than 27 years and I have learned so many things I didn’t know existed in the world of touring.” said Rosemary Spiteri from The Curated Traveller whilst Sky Gander from Tewantin Travel noted, “The course was very engaging, with fantastic visual content and easy to navigate tutorials. I certainly gained more product knowledge, and, importantly, it cemented what to sell to whom, which I know will increase my overall conversion rate.”
“The CATO Touring Academy has been a long time in the making, and it’s great to see the high level of engagement from the trade in such a short space of time. This demonstrates an exciting trajectory for the growth in interest and demand for modern-day touring. The high value agents will gain when focusing on Touring Sales is a game-changer for the sector, said CATO's Managing Director, Brett Jardine.
“As the sector continues to gather momentum in a buoyant market, touring remains a high-value opportunity, and agents who capitalise on this are seeing strong growth in bookings” added Jardine.
The Academy provides an affordable and valuable resource for travel agents, with an annual subscription available for just $99 AUD, including GST. This subscription gives agents access to all current and updated content, sector-specific news, and a wide range of product training from CATO member brands.
To learn more about the CATO Touring Academy and to join the growing community of travel professionals, visit www.cato.travel/touring-academy-agents
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is marking its 25th anniversary with several promotions throughout the year. One of these initiatives will include the launch of a celebratory competition, designed for CATO members, travel agents, and travel industry professionals.
CATO invites industry members to delve into their archives and share their most cherished memorabilia from a quarter century of land touring. Whether it's a vibrant brochure cover, a snapshot from an unforgettable CATO event, or a photograph from a tour that felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all submissions are welcome. These unique contributions will help paint a vivid picture of the rich history and evolution of land touring.
The lucky winner will receive:
All industry member submissions will have the distinct honour of their contributions being featured in a special video montage at the Christmas Lunch. This is a fantastic opportunity to become a part of CATO’s storied history and to share journeys with peers who cherish the spirit of travel.
“We’re excited to celebrate 25 years of supporting the land touring industry, and what better way to do it than to reflect on some of the moments that have defined our members journeys,” said Dennis Bunnik, CATO Chair
How to Enter:
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate with CATO and showcase your special contribution to 25 years of land touring excellence. Join in reflecting on the journeys that have shaped the community and look forward to creating many more memories together.
Click here for more information.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) and the New Zealand Outbound Travel Suppliers Association (NZOTSA) will be joining forces to distribute the CATO Touring Academy to New Zealand travel agents under the NZOTSA banner.
Recently launched in Australia, the Touring Academy is an innovative e-learning certification programme developed with industry experts to enhance the knowledge of retail travel agents on the value of land-based touring. The programme highlights the diverse and unique aspects of touring and upon successful completion, Certified Agents can proudly promote their status, showcasing the expertise and knowledge gained through their certification.
The joint venture between CATO and NZOTSA builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two peak industry bodies that was signed in 2023 to explore, discuss and develop numerous synergies and potential benefits for members across each organisation, and the trans-Tasman region.
CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine said "We are thrilled to collaborate with NZOTSA in this significant venture. This partnership not only strengthens our bond but also amplifies the opportunities for growth and innovation in the land-supply sector across Australia and New Zealand.
NZOTSA Chair, Joe O’Sullivan added “By combining our resources and expertise, we can provide support and development for tour operators and travel agents, ultimately enriching the touring experience for all travellers from the region"
For more information about the CATO Touring Academy, visit www.cato.travel/touring-academy
