Katrina Barry rejoins ATIA board after Webjet demerger approval

Edited by Travel Weekly

Katrina Barry will join the Board of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), effective today, following yesterday’s Webjet demerger and Barry’s elevation to the head of its consumer division.

Barry will replace current ATIA director Shelley Beasley, who was head of Webjet’s B2C division.

Barry was appointed CEO of Webjet B2C with Beasley becoming the COO of WEB Travel Group (the company previously known as Webjet Limited), once the demerger is complete. A spin-off company, Webjet Group Limited, will also be created.

WEB Travel Group will oversee B2B platform WebBeds, while Webjet Group Limited will operate B2C division including travel business Webjet OTA, global motorhome and car rental ecommerce site GoSee, plus Trip Ninja. Webjet Group will list on the ASX on Monday.

Webjet shareholders approve demerger plans for travel bookings provider

“I am excited to join the ATIA Board during such a pivotal time for our industry,” Barry said. “The travel sector is facing significant challenges and opportunities, and I look forward to contributing my experience to help guide the association and its members through these times. I am committed to supporting ATIA’s mission of advocating for and strengthening the Australian travel industry.”

Barry brings more than 15 years of experience as a non-executive director across the tourism, fintech and financial services sectors. She has held a range of executive roles including CEO of me&u from 2022 to 2024 and was Contiki Holidays & Trafalgar Tours’ managing director in Australasia for eight years.

She previously served on the Board of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) until March 2022. ATIA said her extensive experience and deep understanding of the travel industry will be invaluable as the association continues to advocate for and support the Australian travel sector.

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Shelley Beasley for her incredible service on the ATIA Board over four years,” ATIA chair Christian Hunter said. Shelley’s contributions, especially during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, have been instrumental in guiding our industry through some of its toughest times.”

“We are delighted to welcome Katrina Barry to the ATIA Board. Katrina’s extensive experience and leadership within the travel and tourism sector will be a tremendous asset to our association as we continue to navigate the complexities of the industry.”

Beasley said it had been an incredible honour to serve on the Board of the Australian Travel Industry Association for the past four years.

“Joining in the midst of COVID allowed me to truly appreciate the creativity, resilience and commitment that exists within this industry, and I am filled with pride when reflecting on the way we came together to support each other during this time,” she said.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Tom Manwaring for his exceptional leadership as chair, a role he held for the majority of my time on the board. His leadership and dedication were critical in delivering the positive outcomes that ATIA was able to achieve during these tough times.

“And now, with Christian Hunter’s appointment to ATIA chair, alongside Laura Ruffles and Graham Turner as vice chairs (and let’s not forget the continued passion of Dean Long as CEO), I am confident that our travel community remains in exceptional hands.

“I would like to also thank my fellow board members and the entire team at ATIA for their unwavering support and collaboration along the journey. Being a part of this group has been a true high point in my professional career. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Feature image: Katrina Barry

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