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.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]