CATO celeberate chrismas In Sydney & Melbourne

Group of people toasting with Santa hats. It is a Summer Christmas party, and there is food on the table. Sunset light

The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) held its annual Christmas functions in Sydney & Melbourne last week with over 85 members attending.

The events were used to update members on a range of new initiatives including:

  • The launch of Gow Gates Insurance Brokers new Crisis Containment
  • Brand Protection insurance cover which is exclusive to CATO members.

Chairman Dennis Bunnik outlined a plan to bring together the group tour operators with the purpose of growing the touring sector of the industry.  “It is important for the touring sector to speak in a unified voice similar to the way the cruising sector has very successfully done for some time now,” Dennis explained.

“We need to plug the data gap so that we can measure the size and growth of the sector and better engage with retail travel consultants to show how touring has transitioned away from its traditional image.  Touring today is more about immersive experiences rather than ticking off tourist sights and jumping back on the bus.  Whilst the product has evolved the image has not fully caught up and this is something we need to work on.  CATO is the perfect vehicle for this and we will be working with all our group tour operator members to change this and grow the sector.”

“We will also be working on initiatives with our destinational specialist FIT wholesalers to tackle issues unique to this sector of the industry.  This work will focus on highlighting the incredible array of unique product offerings available to the Australian travelling public that can be booked right here through your travel agent rather than arranging it when they arrive at a destination.””

Guest speakers in Melbourne included Darren Lunny from foreign exchange company AFEX and Magellan CEO Andrew MacFarlane who updated members on Magellan’s continued growth and shared his views on the future of travel.

Members were also given a sneak-peak at the new CATO website which is being redeveloped to include comprehensive travel genre search facilities for travel agents which will allow them to easily find the right supplier and product for their clients.

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