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The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has announced Xe as the official sponsor of the Tales on the Road panel at the 2026 CATO Christmas Lunch, as the countdown begins to one of the Australian travel industry\u2019s biggest end-of-year celebrations.<\/strong><\/p>\n The CATO Christmas Lunch will take place at Le Montage in Sydney on Thursday, 3 December.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to partner with CATO as the official sponsor of the Tales on the Road panel,\u201d Xe managing director of APAC Peter Lynar said. \u201cTravel is ultimately about the experiences and stories that stay with us, and this session is a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from those who bring destinations to life every day.\u201d<\/p>\n The lunch will bring together more than 500 travel industry professionals for an afternoon of connection, celebration and entertainment. This year\u2019s Sparkle & Shine theme will further set the scene for the industry\u2019s end-of-year celebration.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s program will feature Tales on the Road, a new panel putting tour guides centre stage and celebrating the people behind some of travel\u2019s most memorable experiences.<\/p>\n Tour guides still have the opportunity to be part of the panel, with entries open until 30 September 2026. CATO is inviting the industry to nominate outstanding guides with a great story to tell, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences in front of hundreds of travel industry professionals at the Christmas Lunch.<\/p>\n \u201cTour guides are often the people who turn a great itinerary into an unforgettable travel experience, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to tell some of those stories themselves,\u201d Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) director of CATO and education Mira Yates said. \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have Xe supporting Tales on the Road and helping us shine a spotlight on the people who bring destinations, cultures and experiences to life for travellers every day.\u201d<\/p>\n