The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has announced Xe as the official sponsor of the Tales on the Road panel at the 2026 CATO Christmas Lunch, as the countdown begins to one of the Australian travel industry’s biggest end-of-year celebrations.
The CATO Christmas Lunch will take place at Le Montage in Sydney on Thursday, 3 December.
“We’re delighted to partner with CATO as the official sponsor of the Tales on the Road panel,” Xe managing director of APAC Peter Lynar said. “Travel is ultimately about the experiences and stories that stay with us, and this session is a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from those who bring destinations to life every day.”
The lunch will bring together more than 500 travel industry professionals for an afternoon of connection, celebration and entertainment. This year’s Sparkle & Shine theme will further set the scene for the industry’s end-of-year celebration.
This year’s program will feature Tales on the Road, a new panel putting tour guides centre stage and celebrating the people behind some of travel’s most memorable experiences.
Tour guides still have the opportunity to be part of the panel, with entries open until 30 September 2026. CATO is inviting the industry to nominate outstanding guides with a great story to tell, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences in front of hundreds of travel industry professionals at the Christmas Lunch.
“Tour guides are often the people who turn a great itinerary into an unforgettable travel experience, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to tell some of those stories themselves,” Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) director of CATO and education Mira Yates said. “We’re delighted to have Xe supporting Tales on the Road and helping us shine a spotlight on the people who bring destinations, cultures and experiences to life for travellers every day.”
Travel advisors can purchase tickets to the event on CATO’s website with early bird pricing only available until 30 September.
