Membership Application
An application form request is at the bottom of this page.
General Membership Criteria
Membership to the Canadian Association of Tour Operators shall be granted to all companies who qualify, based on the following criteria:
- Any applicant company which fulfills the definition of “Outbound Tour Operator or Wholesaler”, be they ITC or FIT, and which conducts a minimum of CAD$ 5 Million in annual gross sales volume in Canada.
- Minimum 3 years of uninterrupted business as a Tour Operator with no substantive change in ownership or management. Membership shall include all brands operated by same parent company.
- No history of bankruptcy, fraud or similar breaches for the last three years.
- Be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and be duly qualified and licensed to do business in each jurisdiction which requires such qualification or licensing.
- For applicants from unregulated provinces, i.e. other than Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, provide on an annual basis, a statement/verification of financial stability in a form approved by CATO, and show proof of a bond in place allocated to the protection of consumers’ funds in the event of financial failure.
- Maintain Professional Liability, Errors and Omissions Insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage, with a reputable insurance underwriting company.
- New member application must be supported by two existing members, 2 hoteliers, 2 carriers, 3 retail Travel Agencies, and the principal financial institution with which applicant does business. Industry references must be from unrelated or unaffiliated companies.
- Membership acceptance is subject to unanimous approval by the membership, after having been proposed and circulated at the previous meeting.
Privileges and Benefits of CATO Membership:
- Representation with Governments at all levels, in Canada and internationally.
- Direct involvement and representation at TICO, and on other boards, dealing with all matters affecting tour operators, e.g. Compensation funding and payouts , alternate financing, liability issues, commercial issues affecting all tour operators, etc…
- Commercial volume buying advantages.
- Retail trade interaction and input.
- Standards and Ethics guidelines.
- Direct link to pertinent, timely communications affecting the daily operations of tour operators.
- Market Research and Industry Surveys.
- CATO Red alert contact in Emergencies.
- Crisis Management and Public Relations voice in disaster situations, allowing operators to act confidently in a measured, concerted manner.
- Positive Tour Operator Publicity.
- CATO Logo Recognition and use on Operator published materials.
- Network with key industry colleagues and partners, and to belong to the most representative and significant organization of professional Tour Operators in Canada.
- Powerful, respected, Tour Operator industry voice to speak on members’ behalf.
- Listing and identification on Association website, with direct link to Member’s website.
All members have equal footing and voting privileges.
One member = One vote.
Decisions are generally made by consensus. If serious objections are raised to a particular course of action, it is unlikely the Association shall undertake said course of action.
Issues that affect only a certain type of member shall be dealt with by those members affected. e.g. ITC operators or FIT Operators.
Emergency issues are dealt with on an ad hoc basis as they arise, e.g. crisis or force majeure event management, etc.
Other issues which affect all equally, are dealt with by all, or an appointed representative committee.
Every member’s input is valued and considered.
Membership in CATO is considered a National membership including all of Canada. Co-operation between CATO and ATOQ (Association des Tours Opérateurs du Québec) is permanent and ongoing, sharing similar goals. Membership in CATO does not preclude, include, prevent or require membership in ATOQ, or vice-versa.
Regular Membership meetings are generally held, when feasible, on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November in Toronto, ON. Additional meetings may be held from time to time and in other provinces.