“Goodbye for now, but not forever”: Industry legend bids farewell to travel

“Goodbye for now, but not forever”: Industry legend bids farewell to travel

The industry has lost a true powerhouse following the resignation of The Travel Corporation’s Katrina Barry.

Barry, who topped Travel Weekly’s most recent Women in Travel Power List, has been the longstanding managing director of Trafalgar, Contiki, and Costsaver Australia.

She was elected to join the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) board in July last year, which she has also resigned from.

Barry is leaving the travel industry after accepting a CEO role in the tech sector and will be replaced on an interim basis by Dee Marrocco, the current global CMO for Trafalgar and Costsaver who is based in Australia.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision. Working for TTC over the last eight years with its exceptional travel experiences and people has, without a doubt, been the highlight of my career,” Barry said.

“I love this business and the brands I have had the privilege to work for.  The depth of respect, admiration, and gratitude I have for the Tollman family is incomparable. 

“Above all, I will miss working alongside them, my exceptional Contiki and Trafalgar team, fellow TTC leaders and all the incredible people across this industry that have become dear friends.  

“A sincere thank you to all.  This is goodbye for now, but not forever, and I look forward to the day when we can all rejoice in a travel renaissance where COVID-19 is but a distant memory.”

David Hosking, TTC Australia CEO, said the team would be sad to see Barry go, but wished her well and thanked her for her significant contributions to the company. 

“We are really pleased that Dee Marrocco, a long-term senior TTC executive and someone who knows Contiki and Trafalgar well, has agreed to step in until the end of March,” Hosking said. 

“I look forward to working with Dee, Gavin Tollman (Global CEO Trafalgar and Costsaver,) and Adam Armstrong (Global CEO Contiki,) to establish a longer-term plan for our key brands in Australia.”

Marrocco, who is normally based in Geneva but currently home in Australia, started her travel career with Flight Centre, and has had a long and distinguished career with TTC, having been head of marketing for Contiki Australia, head of marketing and pricing for Creative Holidays Australia, and is presently the global CMO of Trafalgar and Costsaver. 

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]