Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), clearing the path for one unified peak body representing Australia’s travel advisors, tour operators, wholesalers and travel management companies.
The vote was held at an Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday, capping a months-long consultation that took the CATO and ATIA leadership teams to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne for member webinars, written briefings and one-on-one sessions after the two bodies first proposed the merger.
“The industry has just voted for itself. One voice, one body, one future,” said council chair Dennis Bunnik, who recently announced he will step down as CATO chair after 11 years in the role.
What happens next
The merger still has one hurdle to clear: ATIA members must adopt a new constitution at the ATIA AGM on Thursday, 11 June.
If that passes, CATO becomes a formally constituted and constitutionally protected land supply and tour operator division within ATIA from 1 July 2026. The CATO name is also retained, the division is enshrined in the ATIA constitution, and the division’s chair holds a guaranteed seat on the ATIA board.
What it means for members
For businesses that currently hold both CATO and ATIA memberships, the duplication of membership, accreditation and administration ends.
For CATO-only members, the first full year of ATIA membership (FY28, tiers 1 to 4) will be covered by existing CATO funds.
“To every member who turned up to the briefings, read the material and cast their vote, thank you. That engagement made this process what it was. The Board of CATO is delighted in the outcome and in the fact that the result shows members saw the same opportunity we did as a Board in recommending the merger,” Bunnik said.
“Dedicated voice” for touring and wholesale
Council vice-chair Sean Martin said the result creates a significant opportunity for the touring and wholesale sector.
“By bringing our industry expertise into a stronger, unified association, we can work alongside ATIA to elevate the profile of touring, strengthen advocacy and create greater opportunities for growth across the entire category,” he stated.
“Tour operators and wholesalers play a critical role in Australia’s travel ecosystem, and this merger ensures our sector has both a dedicated voice and a seat at the table as we help shape the future of the industry.
“We’re excited about what can be achieved together and look forward to working with ATIA to deliver even greater value for members and the travelling public alike.”
CATO members next gather at the CATO Members Dinner & Hall of Fame Awards in Sydney on Thursday 25 June.
KARRYON UNPACKS: A single peak body spanning travel advisors, tour operators, wholesalers and TMCs has been talked about for years, and CATO members have now firmly said yes. With the CATO name, division and board seat locked into the ATIA Constitution, the touring sector keeps its identity while gaining the weight of a unified advocacy voice. All eyes now turn to Thursday’s ATIA AGM.
