Membership

Membership Benefits

CATO provides active membership to tour operators across the State. Any tour operator accredited by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, shall be eligible for active membership. The organization meets quarterly to discuss industry issues and keep members informed about current developments in tourism.

Registered Service Tax payees in the State of Kerala may also become members of the Society.

At CATO, we believe that the development of tourism is directly proportional to the welfare of tourism service providers. Therefore, the association was founded on the following principles:

  • Protect the goodwill, well-being, and integrity of the nation.
  • Promote the development of tourism and support all sectors of the travel trade.
  • Maintain cooperation and cordial relationships across the industry.
  • Resolve disputes among members.
  • Protect members from exploitation by foreign counterparts.
  • Promote higher standards of ethical practices within the industry.
  • Enable members to participate in welfare activities that cannot be undertaken individually.
  • Build relationships with foreign counterparts.
  • Eliminate all forms of discrimination and provide equal opportunities to all tourists.
  • Organize overseas promotional activities jointly with Government of India tourism offices, airlines, and other relevant organizations.
  • Promote cultural exchange programs and cultural meetings.
  • Encourage excellence through tourism awards.
  • Support tourism students through scholarships and research opportunities.

Classes of Members

All tour operators accredited by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, and registered as Service Tax payees within Kerala shall be eligible for membership.

Entrance Fee & Subscription

Members shall contribute an entrance fee at the time of admission and an annual subscription payable on or before 31st May each year. The amount shall be determined by the Managing Committee from time to time.

Admission of Members

Applications for membership shall be submitted in the prescribed format.

Enrolment of Members

Membership shall be granted only in the name of the establishment under which the applicant conducts business. The establishment shall be represented by a nominated individual who shall exercise all membership rights, including attendance and voting.

Any change in nomination shall be communicated in writing to the Honorary Secretary and shall become effective upon acknowledgment.

Succession

Members may nominate a successor from their organization by providing written notice to the Society.

Upon the member’s death, the nominated successor shall enjoy the same rights and privileges as the predecessor, subject to the Society’s rules.

Membership rights shall not otherwise be transferable.

Initial Members

The establishments represented by the signatories to the Memorandum shall constitute the initial members of the Society.

Register of Members

The Honorary Secretary shall maintain a Register of Members containing:

  1. Name under which the member conducts business.
  2. Class of membership.
  3. Address provided in the application.
  4. Date of admission.
  5. Name of the nominated representative.
  6. Date of cessation, if applicable.

Members shall notify the Honorary Secretary of any changes in address or nominated representatives in writing.

Cessation / Termination of Membership

Membership shall cease under the following circumstances:

  1. Resignation through written communication to the Honorary Secretary.
  2. Automatic termination if accreditation by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, becomes invalid or is cancelled.
  3. Failure to pay annual subscriptions within six months after the due date, following a ten-day notice period.
  4. Insolvency, suspension of payments, or winding-up ordered by a competent court.
  5. Conviction involving moral turpitude or gross misconduct, as determined by the Managing Committee.

Exclusion and Suspension of Members

Members acting against the interests of the Society or violating its Articles of Association or Bye-laws may, after due enquiry, be censured, suspended, or excluded by the General Body.

Any excluded member shall not be eligible to apply for re-admission for a period of one year.

In the event that accreditation granted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, is cancelled or becomes invalid, membership shall automatically terminate.

Members ceasing to belong to the Society shall forfeit all rights and claims but shall remain liable for outstanding dues payable to the Society.

Rights and Privileges of Members

Membership rights and privileges are personal and non-transferable, except in the case of companies or partnership firms, where authorized representatives may exercise such rights.

Rights and Privileges Include:

  1. Voting at General Meetings or appointing a proxy.
  2. Receiving notices of Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings.
  3. Serving as Office Bearers or Managing Committee Members.
  4. Making representations regarding matters affecting tourism and the travel trade.
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About CATO

Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators is an umbrella body of Govt. of Kerala-approved tour operators. CATO was founded in 2012 by the Government of Kerala and a group of quality-conscious tour operators.

☎ +91 93870 66801
catokerala@gmail.com