Membership
Our membership compromises some of the biggest travel brands in Canada, smaller long standing business, niche companies, aspiring start-ups, supporting members and anyone in between. Our door is open to any tour operator with a passion for our industry.
Why join CATO?
We seek to make our industry better, more responsible and rise to new heights for the benefit of all – our members, employees, travellers and people and communities we serve here in Canada and around the world. Whether the challenge is taking on employment equity, sustainability, climate change or any other shared responsibility; we help ourselves most by helping others more.
We are stronger together.
That, above all is the raison d’être of CATO.
Becoming a member with CATO is easy!
Joining CATO opens the door to a suite of opportunities for tour operators in Canada’s travel industry, such as:
- Access to CATO’s curated data, in-depth reports, market research and intelligence, and past meeting summaries
- Access to data shared by other parties and natural alliances such as USTOA and ETOA.
- Ability to submit polls and surveys to memberships
- Invites to exclusive events and members-only meetings
- Networking opportunities with fellow industry members
- Community support on matters pertinent to Canada’s travel and tourism sector
There are two ways to join, as full member (Tour operator/ wholesaler) or supporting member (DMC, Tourist boards, suppliers)
Our Code of Ethics
This code of ethics aims to promote fair competition, transparency, respect for customers, compliance with laws, environmental responsibility, professionalism, conflict of interest management, and continuous improvement within the Canadian Association of Tour Operators and its members.
1. Fair Competition
Members of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators shall engage in fair competition practices, refraining from any actions that may harm or undermine the competition in the industry.
2. Transparency
Members shall provide accurate and transparent information to consumers regarding their tour packages, pricing, and services, ensuring that customers can make informed decisions.
3. Respect for Customers
Members shall treat customers with respect, honesty, and integrity, ensuring that their needs and preferences are prioritized in all interactions.
4. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Members shall comply with all relevant federal and provincial laws and regulations governing the tour operator industry, ensuring ethical conduct in all business practices. For instance, the Competition Act requires that when a business advertises a sale price by relating it to a higher regular price, the business must be able to validate the regular price.
5. Environmental Responsibility
Members shall prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in their operations, minimizing the impact of tourism on local ecosystems and communities.
6. Professionalism
Members shall uphold high standards of professionalism in their interactions with customers, partners, and other stakeholders, maintaining a positive reputation for the industry.
7. Conflict of Interest
Members shall avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts that may arise in their business dealings, ensuring transparency and fairness in all transactions.
8. Continuous Improvement
Members shall strive for continuous improvement in their services, seeking feedback from customers and implementing measures to enhance the overall customer experience.
Annual Fees
| Category | Full Members (Tour operator) |
Start-up Tour Operator (First 2 years) |
Supporting Member (DMC's, Tourist Boards & Suppliers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual gross sales below $10 million |
$1,500 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual gross sales $10 million & above | $4,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Start-up | N/A | $250 | N/A |
| Supporting Members | N/A | N/A | $1,000 |