More than 420 travel industry members joined CATO at its annual Christmas lunch in Sydney for its biggest turn-out yet.
On a very warm Sydney day, guests were figuratively transported to a Christmas winter wonderland, with a red carpet arrival of winter snowflake decorations and cocktails by the event’s welcome sponsor, Destination Canada.
Guests – from all sectors of the industry including retail travel agents, touring, cruise, airlines, tourism boards, service providers, technology partners, trade and consumer media – had followed the dress code of wearing touches of red or green, setting the scene for a colourful, sparkling and festive event.
Luckily the venue, Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, had provided a luggage storage area as not only were there several guests in town from interstate (and even internationally), but several were also heading off to set sail on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, docked at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, later in the afternoon.
Inside the cool, air-conditioned room of Doltone House at Pyrmont, more decorations were suspended from the ceiling as well as posters from the member countries of the event’s platinum sponsor, the European Travel Commission (France, Italy, Austria, Monaco, Ireland, Visit Portugal, Switzerland and Spain).
Managing Director of CATO, Brett Jardine, welcomed guests to the event, acknowledging the numerous event sponsors that made the day possible, and also the Gadigal People of the Eora nation – the traditional owners of the land on which we were gathered.
The engaging Suze Haberle, Head of Sales & Partnerships at Abercrombie & Kent, was emcee for the day.
A Santa Claus, donning the red suit and tinkering a bell, proceeded over the generous prize giveaways, totaling more than $30,000 in value, that were sponsored by ANZCRO, Mastercard CashPassport, Department of Tourism Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Rocky Mountaineer, Scenic Group, Emerald Cruises, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, The Africa Safari Co and Visit Monaco.
We were asked to check the back of our coasters for numbers which were then drawn at random on stage… which had us all eagerly clutching our coasters and willing our numbers to be called.
The lucky winners were ecstatic and eagerly made their way to the stage to collect their prizes.
In between addresses from the Chair of CATO, Dennis Bunnik, and networking breaks, there was entertainment from Irish dancers (sponsored by Tourism Ireland) and a riveting presentation by Magic Mike (not the stripper!), sponsored by The Travel Corporation Tour Brands.
Sean Martin, CATO Board Member and Managing Director of G Adventures, Australia and New Zealand took to the stage, representing G Adventures as sponsors of the guest speaker. He welcomed Heidi Hauf to the stage, sharing the impressive credentials of the Duntroon graduate: which includes being chair of both the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance of Australia and New Zealand and GreenSkies Aviation/Aerospace Australia. She is currently the Regional Sustainability Lead for Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. She was recognised recently in the Australian 2023 Top 100 Green Power List. The pair then discussed the topic of what sustainability measures in travel and sustainable aviation fuel.
“It’s really poignant to be having this conversation about sustainability whilst the global UN Climate Conference of Parties is happening in Dubai right now. So congratulations to CATO for recognising this as a really poignant and important conversation,” said Heidi.
Other key sponsors of the event included Lockton, Korea Tourism Organization and Globus who sponsored the 360 photo booth where attendees (including our very own Karryon team members) donned santa hats, antlers and sparkly glasses for a fun, festive video memory.
Following post-networking drinks and entertainment, an after-party continued at the venue giving industry friends, old and new, the chance to network, reflect and reconnect as an incredibly busy year in the business of travel draws to a close.
For more information on CATO, visit cato.travel