The Christmas Lunch Magic Mike moment during biggest CATO event ever

The Christmas Lunch Magic Mike moment during biggest CATO event ever

The arrivals board was busy at Doltone House in Pyrmont on Wednesday as more than 400 members of Australia’s travel industry congregated for the CATO Christmas Party for 2023, sponsored by the European Travel Commission.

Despite the heat, there was somewhat of a white Christmas upon arrival thanks to Destination Canada’s welcome display.

Susan Haberle – VP Sales & Partnerships, Abercrombie & Kent (MC)
Ingrid Berthelsen – Managing director, Evolution Travel Collective
Michelle Mickan – VP Marketing APAC – Abercrombie & Kent,
Anne Lee – Trade marketing manager, TTC tour brands

CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine took care of the formalities and got the event started, handing over to emcee Susan Haberle from Abercrombie & Kent who had the unenviable task of controlling the more than 430 people, making it CATO’s biggest event ever.

Offices across the country are still trying to work out how Magic Mike (not a stripper) managed to crack the mobile phone passcode of one of the event’s attendees.

(We have a theory here…but magicians never share their secrets!).

As well as the food on the table, there was some meaty discussion on stage as well.

Heidi Hauf, who has worked with Boeing on the issue of sustainable aviation fuel, spoke about what travellers can do right now to make travel more environmentally friendly.

Hoda Alzubaidi, Dan Lake and Nancy Hromin of Travel Weekly.

Santa’s sack was emptied out with more than $30,000 in prizes being given out throughout the afternoon, including trips to Singapore, Europe and Africa thanks to sponsors

The event’s Gold Sponsor was the Korea Tourism Organisation, Silver Sponsor Lockton Insurance and other sponsors included Tourism Ireland, The Travel Corporation, Globus, G Adventures, TravelPay, Gow Gates, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Tourism Philippines, Rocky Mountaineer, ANZCRO, Africa Safari Co and Mastercard Cash Passport.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

cato events

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]