The Australian travel industry is set to undergo a seismic change with surprise news of the planned merger of two major organisations.
Members of the Council Of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) are being asked to agree a proposed merger with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).
The recommendation, to be voted on by CATO members at an EGM on June 9, follows extensive deliberation by both Boards, who share a united belief in the significant benefits the merger delivers for both membership bases.
In a statement from CATO, the organisation said the merger would result in a single, peak industry body that brings together Australia’s travel agents, tour operators, wholesalers and travel management companies under one, stronger structure.
“This merger is the result of an intensive and thorough process,” said Dennis Bunnik, Chairman of CATO.
“The CATO Board has worked collaboratively with the ATIA Board to explore every aspect of this path.
“We have pulled it apart and stress-tested it, to make sure all contingencies had been considered. This is where both Boards landed and we landed here together.”
If CATO members vote to approve the merger proposal, ATIA members will vote at their AGM on June 22 to adopt a new constitution which enshrines CATO as a formal division of ATIA.
The CATO name will be kept and there will be formal constitutional recognition. The Chair of the CATO division will hold a guaranteed ATIA Board seat.
For CATO members who are also ATIA members, duplication will end with one membership, one accreditation scheme combining the best of both programs and one portal.
The current CATO calendar of events will continue and the Touring Academy will be strengthened with additional resources to promote the importance of the land supply sector to the agency community.
In-person information sessions for CATO members will be held in Sydney (May 19), Brisbane (May 21) and Melbourne (May 22).
“At every point, our focus has been on what is genuinely in the interests of CATO members,” added Mr Bunnik.
“The answer is a structure that protects everything that makes CATO distinct including our name, our community, our events and our independent voice while gaining the advocacy infrastructure, government relationships and national reach of ATIA.
“CATO comes into this from a position of strength, with that position protected by constitutional safeguard.”
“This is a significant moment for the Australian travel industry,” said Christian Hunter, Chair of ATIA.
“For too long, the sector has spoken on the same issues from different platforms and government has been direct with us about what that costs in terms of collective influence.
“This merger, should members of both ATIA and CATO approve it, resolves that: one body, one advocacy position, one relationship with ministers, departments and regulators.
“ATIA members gain a stronger, more representative organisation. Our joint ATIA-CATO members enjoy the many benefits of the removal of duplication of fees, accreditation and process.
“The whole Australian travel industry gains a unified voice. That is the right outcome for every member.”
