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.
