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image courtesy: Austria Tourism, Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Karten/ Franz Gerdi
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) proudly announces a significant milestone as it achieves record membership levels, reflecting a remarkable 30% growth compared to the same period last year. This achievement solidifies CATO's position as the preeminent industry association, tirelessly advocating for the interests of Australian-based outbound tour operators and wholesalers.
CATO's unwavering commitment to its members has fostered continuous engagement with the government, resulting in the development of tailor-made policies and initiatives that directly address the specific needs of tour operators and wholesalers. By actively championing the industry's interests, CATO ensures that its members are recognised as a critical link in the development and distribution of outbound leisure travel products, benefiting all stakeholders in the industry.
"The resounding success of CATO's new Accreditation program, coupled with our highly engaging annual events and ongoing advocacy efforts, showcases our unwavering commitment to nurturing strong member relationships," remarked Brett Jardine, CATO Managing Director.
“CATO has positively and professionally evolved so well over the last few years. It is now become an invaluable resource for my travel business through their insights and industry expertise that relates directly to our operations. Their leadership through Covid was exemplary. Their focus on delivering insightful, industry leading educational events throughout each year are of the highest standard providing numerous opportunities to collaborate with like-minded, professional business owners” advised CATO member, Albatross Tours MD, Euan Landsborough.
As CATO celebrates this milestone, it reinforces its dedication to championing the interests of Australian-based outbound tour operators and wholesalers. The association remains committed to driving the growth, sustainability, and recognition of CATO members as an invaluable contributor to the Australian travel landscape.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is is excited to announce its newest addition to the Platinum Partner roster, 4walls Cyber Advisory. This strategic partnership will bolster CATO's commitment to fortifying the cyber security needs of tour operators and wholesale members, ensuring their resilience against emerging cyber threats.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Brett Jardine, Managing Director of CATO, remarked, "We are delighted to welcome 4walls Cyber Advisory as a platinum partner of CATO. Their expertise in cyber security and dedication to safeguarding businesses within the travel industry make them an invaluable asset to our members and the wider Australian travel community."
Renowned for their tailored solutions in cybersecurity, 4walls Cyber Advisory recently presented at CATO's Crisis, Risk & Resilience conference. Under the leadership of Nik Devidas, the firm's team of experts is wholly committed to promoting awareness and implementing robust cybersecurity measures that effectively mitigate risks.
Nik Devidas, Founder and CEO of 4walls Cyber Advisory, expressed his honour at the partnership, stating, "We are privileged to collaborate with CATO as a platinum partner. Our mission perfectly aligns with CATO's dedication to supporting Australian tour operators and wholesalers. We are eager to leverage our expertise in bolstering CATO members' cyber security infrastructure, safeguarding sensitive data, and fostering trust among their clients."
The strategic collaboration between CATO and 4walls Cyber Advisory aims to provide CATO members with specialised cybersecurity guidance, resources, and tools tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the travel industry. By establishing a robust defence against cyber threats, tour operators and wholesalers can continue delivering exceptional travel experiences while ensuring the protection of their customers' sensitive information.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), have today announced tickets are now on sale to the broader travel industry for its two most anticipated events of the year: the CATO Travel Trivia Masters and the Annual CATO Christmas Lunch.
This year's CATO Travel Trivia Masters promises to outshine the last, with a 'Travel Inspired' theme. The event is set to take place at the Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf in Sydney, on Thursday, 3rd August. Attendees can look forward to a two-course dinner, beverages, and exciting entertainment, along with the thrill of competitive trivia.
To add more fun to this event are newly appointed Trivia Hosts and Emcee’s - well renowned Australian journalist, Julia Zaetta and TV celebrity, Jad Nehmetallah. Gold sponsor is also confirmed as Lockton Insurance.
Single or group tickets, accommodating up to 10 per table, are available starting at $150 per person. Member tickets which opened 72 hours prior to the event launch have already sold 50% of the event capacity. For more details an event landing page can be found here and tickets can be booked here.
In addition, the largest-ever festive gathering for our sector, the "CATO Christmas Lunch," is slated for Thursday, 7th December at the Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney. Adorned with a Christmas cocktail theme, guests are encouraged to add a dash of red or green to their attire. Upon arrival, a Santa Slipper cocktail and canapés will be served, followed by a two-course lunch and beverages, entertainment, prizes, and a memorable after-party.
Silver sponsor for the event is confirmed as Lockton Insurance. Individual or group tickets, catering to up to 10 per table, start from $170 per person. For more details an event landing page can be found here and tickets can be booked here.
"We look forward to welcoming the broader travel industry again to two of our flagship events this year,” said CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine. Our team have been busy adding many new and exciting elements which will add an additional touch of magic to each event."
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), in conjunction with the Australian Tourism Export (ATEC), have secured federal government funding exclusively for outbound Tour Operators, Travel Wholesalers and Inbound Tour Operators.
Applications will open on Tuesday 23rd May for the Reviving International Tourism Grant (RITG) program, designed to assist bona-fide tourism exporters (inbound) and tour operators/wholesalers (outbound) to invest in the rebuilding and strengthening of international supply chains as leisure-based travel continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investment in the development of leisure travel product within the inbound/outbound eco-system takes place well in advance of distribution, which further supports the wider travel and tourism industry at many levels. The Federal Government acknowledge CATO and ATEC members as key contributors to the future prosperity of the industry, which has led to the prioritization of the fulfillment of their $10 million pre-election commitment, to support travel and tourism for this purpose.
“It is critical that our members are supported in reconnecting with international markets to ensure a vigorous return of international leisure travel to and from Australia, through specific business development and marketing activities”, said Brett Jardine, CATO Managing Director.
Administered by Austrade, the RITG program will be delivered in two streams over financial years 22/23 and 23/24, with eligible CATO and ATEC members able to apply for at least $10,000 in stream one, to support reconnection with international markets, and $2,000 in stream two to support incremental expansion of members’ digital uplift.
To qualify for stream one funding CATO or ATEC members must have attended a major international travel and tourism trade show between 2017 and 2022*. Funds can be used towards participation in similar 2023, 2024 and 2025 events. The stream two digital uplift includes (but may not be limited to), activities and costs for website design, refresh, audit or optimisation to deliver greater visibility to international consumers.
A further stream one grant amount for financial year 2023/24, will be determined based on demand of applicants for 2022/23. If funding remains available in 2023/24, the remaining funds will be equally distributed (capped at $10,000) to all approved applicants from stream one, as a second and final payment with all grant funds to be expended before 30 June 2024.
Applications are open for a limited time through Austrade’s SmartyGrants portal with full details on the program to be available here
These newly elected members join the robust CATO board alongside the re-elected Chair, Dennis Bunnik, and other seasoned board members:
· Lisa Pagotto, Vice Chair CATO and Founder at Crooked Compass
· Liz Anderson, Managing Director at Sundowners Overland
· Brad McDonnell, Managing Director at Entire Travel Group
· Aaron Zoanetti, Partner at Pointon Partners Lawyers
· Sean Martin, Managing Director at G Adventures
"We would like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge candidates that were not successful on this occasion; Chad Carey, Managing Director, Chimu Adventures and Ingrid Berthelsen, Joint CEO of Evolution Travel Collective. We are truly delighted to witness such a strong interest from our membership to participate in the CATO Board, a testament to the Board's outstanding credibility and accomplishments,"advised Brett Jardine, CATO Managing Director.
“CATO remains steadfast in its commitment to serving its members, confident that the fresh perspectives of the newly elected board members will further enhance the organisation's strategic initiatives” added Jardine
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), in anticipation of its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, has disclosed the names of the esteemed candidates for the upcoming Board election.
Dennis Bunnik, Joint CEO of Bunnik Tours, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chair of CATO for an additional two-year term, serving CATO with a decade of commendable leadership through to the 2025 AGM.
In addition to Bunnik’s re-election, CATO proudly presents six exceptional nominees contending for four available board positions. This includes the following incumbent board members vying for re-election:
In addition, CATO is pleased to announce the participation of new candidates who have entered the fray for this year's election:
Brett Mitchell, Managing Director – Intrepid Travel ANZ, will not be re-standing following a six-year term on the Board.
The final results will be announced at the AGM following the closure of member voting on Friday, prior to the event.
"We are truly delighted to witness such a strong interest from our membership to participate in the CATO Board, a testament to the Board's outstanding credibility and accomplishments. On this occasion, I would like to acknowledge Dennis Bunnik for his ongoing commitment and also extend our gratitude to Brett Mitchell for his invaluable contribution during his six-year tenure on the CATO Board," advised Brett Jardine, CATO Managing Director
The Industry Gathers for a Thought-Provoking Event on Sustainable Tourism Practices
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) successfully held its inaugural World Earth Day Lunch on Friday, April 21, 2023, with the theme for event being a touch of green. The largest gathering for a CATO event in Queensland, the event boasted over 80 attendees from all sectors of the travel industry and was held at Fortitude Valley's urban-style resort, The Calile Hotel, selected for its notable sustainability initiatives.
Major sponsor for the event and MC, Sean Martin, Managing Director, APAC of G Adventures spoke about the company's mission to change people's lives through travel and its sustainability initiatives. G Adventures is working towards a net positive impact on the planet. In partnership with Brisbane-based Reforest, G Adventures also gifted all attendees the opportunity to plant a tree by scanning a QR code.
Emanuele Attanasio from the Italian National Tourist Board, supporting sponsor of the event, highlighted the importance of sustainability in Italy and measures that can be taken to avoid over-tourism. In Italy, 48% of the population are interested in sustainable tourism, and several initiatives have been implemented towards sustainable infrastructure and responsible travel.
A panel discussion, moderated by Sean Martin, featured Damian Perry (Hurtigruten – supporting sponsor of the event), Michelle Degenhardt (Flight Centre Travel Group), Heidi Hauf (Boeing), and Toni Ambler (The Travel Corporation). The panellists discussed challenges in promoting responsible travel, the need for education and standardising sustainable tourism measurements, and strategies for decarbonising the travel industry.
Key takeaways from the event emphasized the importance of developing a genuine understanding of responsible travel practices, initiating sustainability-focused activities within businesses, and working collaboratively and transparently as an industry. Working with a global framework such as SDG’s, supporting the growth of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and raising awareness among the flying public, tourism operators, corporate leaders, and policymakers were also identified as crucial steps.
“As the peak industry body for the land-supply sector, it is important that we take a lead in highlighting the need for a sustainable and responsible approach to travel. Our industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon emissions and although we are not some of the highest emissions industries, we still make a significant contribution” said Brett Jardine, Managing Director of CATO. “We look forward to this becoming an annual event in the calendar to support the wider industry” added Jardine.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) have today announced their full program of speakers for the forthcoming Crisis, Risk and Resilience Conference. This will be held in Sydney at Novotel Sydney Central on Monday 15th May 2023.
A full program of speakers has been carefully curated, to bring diversity across various sectors of the industry, relevant to key scenarios of crisis and risk. These speakers include:
Appointed as Master of Ceremonies for the conference is Mark Carter - International Speaker, Trainer, Author and Coach. Mark has over 25 years’ experience as a global learning and development professional and his TEDx talk was the movie trailer for his latest book, ‘Add Value’, published globally by Wiley.
The event will conclude with a Q&A with Mark Carter and CATO Chair Dennis Bunnik, prior to networking.
“We are delighted to confirm Smartraveller and Ebury Partners as our key sponsors of the Crisis, Risk and Resilience Conference, and thank them for their support. I would also like to acknowledge all speakers who have committed to this important event for our industry, and looking forward to the learnings we will all share”. said Brett Jardine, CATO Managing Director.
Tickets to the CATO Crisis, Risk & Resilience Conference are selling quickly. Register here
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) today announced a stellar line-up of speakers for their forthcoming World Earth Day lunch which will be held at the Calile Hotel, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane on Friday 21st April 2023. “As the peak industry body for the land-supply sector, it is important that we take a lead in highlighting the need for a sustainable and responsible approach to travel.” Added Jardine.
In formally announcing the speakers, CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine said “CATO has assembled a fantastic panel of experts from four different sectors of the travel industry. Guests will be inspired by these leaders, through a thought-provoking and impactful panel discussion, designed to educate and stimulate further conversations”.
Our panellists include:
Tickets to the event are selling out quickly at $135 per individual or $1,350 for a table of ten. This includes a two-course meal, beverages and post event networking. The event is open to all members of the travel industry, being held for the first time in Queensland.
Register for event here
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) and the New Zealand Outbound Travel Suppliers Association (NZOTSA) have today met in Auckland to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two peak industry bodies to collaborate in a number of areas.
“There are numerous synergies and potential benefits through the cooperation of services and sharing of relevant intellectual property across Australia and New Zealand which makes our MOU very exciting”, said CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine.
“As our sector of the travel industry continues to rebound at a rapid pace, the MOU puts in place the groundwork to allow further expansion of the land supply sector across the Tasman Jardine added.
NZOTSA Chairman, Joe O’Sullivan confirmed “the intent of this MOU is to explore, discuss and develop areas of mutual benefit for members across each organisation and the region in general”.
Both parties noted that exploration of relevant activity will revolve around (but may not be limited to) advocacy efforts, member education, research, trade distribution, administrative capability, and networking opportunities.
CATO and NZOTSA board members. L-R: Joe O’Sullivan, NZOTSA Chair; Marija Kapiteli, MD Croatia Times Travel; Brett Jardine, Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) MD; Robyn Galloway, MD Innovative Travel; Paul Dymond, MD Wendy Wu Tours and LISA Pagotto, MD Crooked Compass & CATO Vice Chair.
