Andy Young, Senior Vice President of Sales for Travel Corporation Tour Brands Oceania, has been elected to the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) Committee. The appointment, confirmed by a ballot of CATO members, fills the vacancy created by James O'Donnell, who stepped down in July after five years of service.
In his current role, Young oversees a portfolio of well-known touring brands across Australia and New Zealand, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver, and Contiki. His background spans retail travel, touring operations, trade sales, and industry governance, which the Committee expects will bring valuable perspective to its work.
Young previously contributed to the CATO Touring Academy steering committee in 2024, where he helped develop a nationally recognised touring accreditation programme. That initiative was part of CATO's broader effort to professionalise the touring sector and support workforce development.
Priorities for the touring sector
In his new role, Young says he will focus on accelerating growth in the touring segment and deepening collaboration between operators and the retail trade. "I'm thrilled to be entrusted by the CATO membership to join the Committee," he said. "Touring plays such an important role in both our travel trade here, and in extending the reach of tourism dollars in communities worldwide."
Sean Martin, CATO Committee Chair, welcomed Young's appointment, noting the timing aligns with CATO's integration with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). "Andy joins the Committee at an exciting time for CATO, as we build on the opportunities created by our integration with ATIA," Martin said.
The integration with ATIA is expected to give CATO a stronger voice in national travel industry policy and advocacy. Young's experience in both retail and wholesale distribution will be key as CATO works to align touring with broader industry priorities.
Young's appointment also comes as the touring sector sees renewed demand from international visitors, particularly from markets like North America and Europe. Operators such as Trafalgar and Insight Vacations have reported strong bookings for the upcoming season, and Young's leadership will be crucial in capitalising on that momentum.
CATO represents more than 50 tour operators across Australia, and its committee plays a central role in setting industry standards and fostering collaboration. Young's addition is seen as a boost to the committee's commercial expertise, especially in the retail channel.
For travel agents, Young's focus on strengthening operator-retail ties could translate into better training, clearer communication, and more tailored product offerings. The touring sector remains a significant contributor to Australia's tourism economy, and CATO's work helps ensure that operators and agents work effectively together.
Young's appointment is effective immediately, and he will serve on the committee alongside other industry leaders. His previous work on the Touring Academy steering committee is expected to inform his contributions as CATO continues to develop training and accreditation initiatives.
