Eight months after launching its first-ever accreditation scheme, the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has unveiled the next phase of the program, which it says sets a “new benchmark” for industry standards.
Aiming to further improve “credibility and recognition” within the industry, CATO has announced some important updates for the next phase. One significant change is that starting 1 April 2024, it will introduce an external and independent evaluation of member finances. This will be part of the membership renewal process for 2024/25.
CATO Managing Director Brett Jardine says the new phase will build upon the accreditation program, which was launched on 1 April 2023, “to address the specificities of the land-supply sector within the Australian travel market”.
He added that the new annual financial health check was a direct response to the industry’s continued growth, its improved government relations, and the council’s own dedication to fostering a thriving land-supply ecosystem.
“CATO has enlisted the services of Moore Australia, a premier national firm renowned for its expertise in accounting, tax, and business advisory services,” he remarked.
“This collaboration will launch a secure online portal for independent assessment of member operations, providing a ‘financial health check’ that aligns with the highest industry appropriate standards.
“This process is designed with the strictest confidentiality protocols to ensure that sensitive financial data remains inaccessible to CATO personnel, safeguarding member privacy with the utmost integrity.”
The organisation says the scheme highlights how important accreditation is when dealing with trade, media and government agencies. It expects that most eligible members will take part, but tour operators and wholesale members can decide not to by letting CATO know in writing.
Financial check optional, but…
The council has confirmed that members who choose not to take part in the financial assessment will still keep their CATO Membership status. However, from 1 April 2024, organisations will need to complete this assessment to achieve full CATO Accreditation status.
Earlier this year, CATO achieved milestone membership levels, welcoming almost an additional one-third (30 per cent) of new businesses compared to the same period in 2022.
This week, the council will host its annual Christmas Lunch, which is a sell-out event.
