CATO changes name to CATOS

The Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has renamed its organization as the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) to adjust to the growing needs of the travel market.

Catos president Alice Queblatin said that the change is meant to reintroduce the organization as more than just tour operators.

In an industry fueled by mobile technologies, she said players need to adjust and step up their game.

“We want to be identified as a group that provides specialized tour packages to all types of tourists. We want to be known as tour specialists that would take care of all components in your travel,” said Queblatin, the newly inducted president who replaced Edilberto Mendoza Jr.

Queblatin owns Southwind Travel and Tours. She is also the Tourism Congress Visayas vice president for travel and tours.

The alliance is composed of all stakeholders involved in travel and tours. At present, Catos has 42 members.

While the presence of online ticketing and hotel booking has eaten up a share of the revenue of tour operators, Queblatin is optimistic the industry is here to stay.

“This online thing has eaten a bug chunk of our market but we have embraced it already. That is why we are leveling up. We want to step up from being an expert of ticket purchase into an expert of making specialized tours,” said Queblatin, adding that this is something that tourists cannot get online.

She, however, pointed out that the challenge for tour specialists is to become more creative in creating packages.

“There are plenty of interesting tourist spots in the country. You need to be more creative in packaging them to invite repeat clients,” she said.

As a tour specialist, one should know the reasons clients travel so to come up with interesting packages, she noted.

Tour specialists arrange bookings for corporate and group outings. Some groups also seek their expertise for pilgrimage, sports and other travel-related activities. /