Manu P V of Discover Kerala Holidays elected as Secretary and Saji Jose of Great Escapes was elected Treasurer
The Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (CATO), an umbrella organisation representing tour operators approved by the Government of Kerala, has elected its new office bearers at a meeting held in Kochi.
Industry veteran Abraham George, Managing Director of Intersight Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, was elected President, succeeding Sanjeev Kumar, Managing Director of Voyages Kerala. Riyas U C of Spice Land Holidays and Entertainments Pvt Ltd was elected Vice President, Manu P V of Discover Kerala Holidays became Secretary, Lijo Issac of Iris Holidays was elected Joint Secretary, and Saji Jose of Great Escapes was elected Treasurer.
Founded in 2012 through an initiative involving the Government of Kerala and a group of quality-conscious tour operators, CATO aims to promote Kerala tourism by bringing together credible and professionally managed tourism service providers. Over the years, the organisation has gained recognition among domestic and international tourism stakeholders. It also provides a collective platform for small and medium-sized tour operators, helping strengthen their credibility and promote quality tourism services across the state.
CATO works in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, to promote the state’s tourism potential and safeguard the interests of tour operators accredited by Kerala Tourism. Its activities include organising familiarisation tours for international travel agents and tourism professionals, conducting seminars, workshops and training programmes, and promoting Kerala through publications, travel guides, exhibitions and other marketing initiatives. The organisation also represents tourism industry concerns before government authorities, studies emerging trends and opportunities, and encourages collaboration among tourism stakeholders to improve professional standards and service quality.
Abraham George’s elevation to the presidency is a moment to cherish, as he was the one who initiated the accreditation system for tour operators in Kerala, when M. Sivasankar IAS was the Tourism Director and Dr. Venu V IAS was the Principal Secretary, Tourism. He has also served as President of the KTM Society and was the man behind the domestic tourism boom through innovative ideas, including the Rail Yathra to Kerala and Saradhi Sauhrudam, a CSR initiative of Intersight Tours that presented brand-new cars to its drivers, enabling them to own the vehicles they drive as tourist taxis.
With its new leadership, CATO is expected to continue its efforts to strengthen Kerala’s position as a preferred destination for domestic and international travellers, while supporting accredited tour operators and fostering closer cooperation between the tourism industry and the government.
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