REVEALED: All the winners from the first-ever CATO Awards

REVEALED: All the winners from the first-ever CATO Awards

The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) announced the winners of its inaugural awards stream at the National Travel Industry Awards in Sydney over the weekend.

The event played host to some 1,300 travel industry guests from every sector of the travel industry, with the CATO Awards stream recognising consumer-facing travel consultants in four core categories.

Below are the winners at the inaugural awards:

Adventure Travel

Leanne Flanagan-Smith, Back Track Adventures

Ski

Jenny Tucker, Travel Partners

Group Touring

Michelle Barker, Jayes Travel

F.I.T.

Michelle Barker, Jayes Travel

CATO managing director Brett Jardine said: “We’re so proud of the CATO Awards and acknowledge the opportunity provided by AFTA in sharing the NTIA stage.

The ‘CATOs’ are an articulation of the level of connectivity and engagement between travel agents and suppliers of quality touring and experiential travel product – two vibrant parts of the retail travel ecosystem.

CATO Awards 2019 [2]

Photo: Jenny Tucker, Michelle Barker and Leanne Flanagan-Smith with Brett Jardine at the CATO Awards

Jardine acknowledged the effort “from many areas” to get the awards off the ground, as well as the “terrific” calibre of finalists.

“Each of the four categories was hotly contested and we congratulate every finalist,” he said.

“All CATO members recognise the significant effort that goes into the journey, from the moment of nomination to attending the awards gala with high hopes.

“And to see one consultant walk away with two CATOs was remarkable.”

To see the full list of winners from this year’s NTIAs, click here.

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