CATO’s Christmas lunch saw 300 members of the industry come together yesterday to celebrate in festive spirit with optimism for the year ahead.
Guests were warmly welcomed with networking drinks, courtesy of welcome sponsor – The Travel Corporation (TTC) with entertainment provided by Crooked Compass & Tourism Promotion Authority Papua New Guinea.
Richard Taylor successfully emceed the event where the industry heard from The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) chairman, Dennis Bunnik and managing director, Brett Jardine, followed by exciting destination updates from platinum sponsor- Qatar Tourism’s Richard Styles, gold sponsor – Korea Tourism Organization’s Ryan Archibald, after party sponsor- New Caledonia Tourism’s Rebecca Marcha, Tourism Promotion Authority Papua New Guinea’s Douglas Keari and Lisa Pagotto from Crooked Compass.
CATO MD, Brett Jardine held a thoughtful Q&A with Matt Leedham from Karryon on his contribution to the industry during the pandemic with his work on Together in Travel.
The after-party then progressed to the Ivy Pool Club, where the industry mixed and mingled until the late hours of Thursday evening.
“Through the generosity and support of all our sponsors, the industry was entertained and rewarded with lots of exciting prizes,” Jardine said.
“We are deeply appreciative of the contribution from our sponsors to make this event such a success and look forward to this becoming the sought-after annual event in our calendars.
“I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful work of Lisa Maroun and her team who supported us in creating and executing with precision, our inaugural CATO Industry Christmas Lunch Event.”
