The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has unveiled the list of candidates vying for four available board positions in the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Additionally, Dennis Bunnik, Joint CEO of Bunnik Tours, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chair of CATO for a further two-year term.

CATO has announced six remarkable nominees for this year’s board election. Among them, two incumbent board members are contending for re-election. Julie King, Founder & CEO of Julie King & Associates and Founder of Bonailie, and James O’Donnell, Finance Director at The Travel Corporation Australia (TTC), seek another term on the board. Meanwhile, four new candidates have entered the fray. They are Ingrid Berthelsen, Joint CEO of Evolution Travel Collective, Chad Carey, Managing Director of Chimu Adventures, Martin Edwards, Co-Founder & Chief Exploration Officer of The Explorer Society, and Yvette Thompson, General Manager – Sales & Partnerships ANZ of Intrepid Travel Group.

CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine, expressed his delight at members’ strong interest in participating in the CATO Board, saying it is a testament to the Board’s excellent credibility and accomplishments. He also acknowledged Bunnik for his ongoing commitment and thanked Brett Mitchell, Managing Director – Intrepid Travel ANZ, for his invaluable contribution during his six-year tenure on the CATO Board. Mitchell will not be re-standing for the board election this year.

The AGM will feature member voting, with the final results being announced at the event after the closure of voting on Friday. Bunnik will serve CATO for a decade of commendable leadership until the 2025 AGM.

CATO is an industry association representing the Australian tour operator sector, including inbound, outbound, domestic wholesalers and retailers, and tourism product suppliers. The organization provides vital support and advice to its members and ensures that the interests of its members are well-represented in the tourism industry.

Please visit their official website for more information on CATO and the board nominees.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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