Last night’s gathering of Council of Australian Tour Operators members and stakeholders in Sydney might not have been the final CATO Members Dinner, but it did feel like the end of an era.
Two weeks after members gave CATO’s merger with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) the green light, the council held one of the biggest events on its annual calendar. But this Members Dinner was different.
The event landed after a turbulent period for travel (and touring), however this was anything but a lamentation on recent world events; instead, it was a celebration of what CATO has achieved in years past – and more importantly, on this night, those who had steered it along the way.
Integral to the council’s achievements for over a decade was Dennis Bunnik, CATO’s chair for the past 11 years. When it was announced that ATIA and CATO would merge in May, Bunnik revealed he would be stepping down from the role in which he has worked tirelessly.
But all things must come to an end – and Bunnik’s work was duly recognised on the evening with Life Membership of CATO and his induction into the CATO Hall of Fame.
“It was never about me; it was about the industry and the [touring] sector,” Bunnik told guests at the event (including Karryon).
“The closer we work together, the better the industry is overall – and I think the thing that I’m most proud of in all of this… one is the [CATO] Touring Academy, because it’s helped with the sector; and two… helping to push through all of those grants during COVID.
“For a voluntary role, it’s taken a hell of a lot of time, and I’m actually looking forward to spending my time now concentrating on Bunnik Tours.”
Bunnik’s “partner in crime”, as he often referred to him (though anyone would tell you it’s more like a bromance), Brett Jardine, was also awarded a CATO Life Membership for his eight years as the council’s managing director – a tenure that saw him lead the organisation through some of its toughest challenges (like COVID) whilst facing his own battle with cancer.
In announcing the award, Bunnik said Jardine’s contribution to CATO “cannot be overstated… in pure numbers”.
He noted that membership had more than tripled, from 100 members to over 300, under Jardine’s leadership, while turnover had grown from just $60,000 annually to around $750,000.
Upon receiving the award, Jardine spoke of his journey with CATO, whilst also acknowledging all the staff and members who had helped the council flourish along the way – there was barely anyone who didn’t get a mention, such is the camaraderie within this group.
There also wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Brett detailed his recent health battles.
Another member honoured was World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari, who was awarded a Hall of Fame membership for her contributions to Australian travel and touring.
Of particular note, Badyari was recognised for her leadership in responsible and regenerative tourism.
“This industry has meant the world to me. It’s given me everything,” she said on the night.
“World Expeditions has given me a career, a career that rarely felt like work. It has always been a labour of love, and I’ve had so many fantastic opportunities to go to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.”
Badyari also had some advice for younger travel industry professionals.
“Be curious, work hard, stay true to who you are, and listen more than you speak – and say yes to the things that scare you… and never stop learning,” she remarked.
New chair’s words
The CATO committee’s newly elected chair, Sean Martin, congratulated the award recipients while hailing the event as an “evening of celebration, gratitude and optimism”.
“The evening represented both beginnings and endings,” he remarked.
“While this marks the end of CATO as a standalone organisation, its legacy, values and voice will continue through the new CATO Committee and our representation within ATIA. The future of the touring and wholesale sector has never been stronger.”
Speaking to guests, Martin said that being part of ATIA would allow the council to “focus on the bigger things that matter for our members”.
In particular, he highlighted the “threat” posed by foreign-owned DMCs, which could also affect travel advisors and consumers.
In addition, Martin pointed to stronger advocacy under the merger as well as access to “way more resources now than we’ve had”.
“Our job as CATO committee members will be to hold ATIA accountable, but mostly to support… touring and wholesale,” he explained.
The new chair also confirmed that CATO’s annual events – like its Christmas Dinner, International Women’s Day Lunch and indeed the Members Dinner – would continue.
Just don’t expect as many tears at the next event.
