CATO heads to Canberra to discuss the state of travel with Government

CATO heads to Canberra to discuss the state of travel with Government
Edited by Travel Weekly


    The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) convened in Canberra last week to address key government departments on the status of the land-supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

    Following years of fostering strong relevant relationships, CATO is widely recognised across key areas of government due to its expert knowledge and intimate understanding of distribution within the global travel ecosystem.

    In a proactive effort to continue driving outbound leisure travel, the CATO leadership held constructive discussions with Austrade to evaluate the efficacy of the Reviving International Travel Grant (RITG) program, with dialogue centred on expanding the program to bolster opportunities for successful grantees within the CATO membership.

    A pivotal visit to the Egyptian Embassy saw CATO delegates affirming the robust growth in tourism traffic to Egypt, with a significant 42 per cent increase in 2023 from 2018, matching the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

    The meeting with His Excellency Mr. Hani Nagi, the newly appointed Ambassador to Australia, unveiled the positive trajectory of Egypt’s tourism sector, the anticipated launch of the new Egyptian Museum (GEM), and other key developments.

    Discussions were held around the inconsistency of DFAT’s Smarttraveller advice level compared to other countries in the region, with Egypt playing a pivotal role in attracting tourism to the Middle East. The Ambassador highlighted the work the Egyptian Government is doing to grow, protect and develop the tourism industry.

    “At a recent meeting DFAT confirmed to CATO that the Smarttraveller advice on Egypt is due for review in coming weeks,” managing director, CATO, Brett Jardine, said.

    “In light of this, discussions were held on how CATO, its members and the Egyptian Embassy can work together to further boost Australian tourism to Egypt and the surrounding region.”F

    During the mission, CATO also convened a productive session with Tourism Research Australia (TRA) to expand on current project plans for an extensive economic impact study and report to support outbound leisure travel.

    The proposed economic impact study aims to utilise a variety of data sources that will provide invaluable insights into the industry’s current state and future trajectory, empowering stakeholders with data-driven strategies for sustainable growth.

    CATO remains committed to championing initiatives that foster resilience and prosperity within the Australian travel industry.

    By collaborating with key stakeholders and leveraging data-driven strategies, CATO Advocacy is poised to lead the industry towards a vibrant and sustainable future.

    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 […]