The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has announced the finalists for the first-ever CATO Awards as part of this year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).
The winners will be named in the CATO Awards stream at the NTIA gala dinner in Sydney on 20 July 2019, recognising and rewarding consumer-facing travel consultants in four categories.
CATO managing director Brett Jardine said: “The CATO Awards are a great opportunity for the land-supply side of the travel industry – tour operators, wholesalers and tourism offices – to recognise talented travel consultants across specific market segments.
“Whilst the inaugural awards are focused on group touring, adventure, ski and FIT, our goal is to raise awareness of all travel intermediaries that are engaged with CATO, all of whom are proudly ATAS accredited and supply the Australian travel industry.”
Jayson Westbury, CEO of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, said: “The CATO Awards are a terrific initiative as they celebrate the people at the frontline of selling travel.
“The addition of the CATO Awards to the 2019 NTIA program is an outstanding demonstration of how the two organisations work so closely together.
“Everyone at AFTA looks forward to celebrating with each CATO Award winner at the 2019 NTIA gala dinner as we showcase the very best of the Australian travel industry at the event to be held in Sydney on July 20th.”
The CATO Awards are sponsored by Globus, G-Adventures, Intrepid and The Travel Corporation.
Below are the list of finalists for the inaugural awards:
Adventure Travel
Crandon Keddie, Cathie Rice Travel (WA)
Jos Bauk, Peregrine Travel Centre (WA)
Kelly Pinkerton, Student Flights Shellharbour (NSW)
Leanne Flannagan, Smith Back Track Adventures (QLD)
Rebecca Hausler, Temora Travel (NSW)
Group Touring
Dayana Brooke, The Sustainable Traveller (NSW)
Hannah Campbell, Global Journeys (QLD)
Jo Gostin, FBI Travel (VIC)
Lisa Campany, Flight Centre Edgecliff (NSW)
Michelle Barker, Jayes Travel (NSW)
Ski
Jenny Tucker, Travel Partners (NSW)
Kelly West, Noller & Turner Travel Associates (QLD)
FIT
Ash Chawla, Global Sports Travel and Tours (QLD)
Kieran Mackenzie, Altitude Travel Tea Gardens (NSW)
Mathieu Cadart, Ucango Pelican Waters (QLD)
Michelle Barker, Jayes Travel (NSW)
