CATO appoints Paola Briata to Board of Directors

The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has appointed Paola Briata, vice-president of contracting and operations product delivery at WorldStrides, to its board of directors, effective immediately.

Briata is a multilingual travel industry executive with 30 years of international experience in leisure, corporate, cruise and educational travel. 

Originally from Europe and now based in Canada, she began her career with an Italian tour operator specializing in FIT and leisure groups, later expanding into MICE, corporate and cruise operations.

She joined WorldStrides (formerly Explorica) in 2008, moving into the educational travel sector. 

As vice-president of operations and a member of the senior management team, Briata has been involved in the company’s strategic growth and operational development in the global educational travel market. 

Her work has spanned Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, Africa, Latin America, Asia and North America.

“We are thrilled to welcome Paola Briata to the CATO Board,” said Brett Walker, chair of CATO. 

“Her extensive global experience and unwavering commitment to the travel industry will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to our Association and its role within the travel sector.”

Briata said: “I’m truly honored and proud to put my experience in service of CATO. It’s a privilege to support its mission and be part of a community that shares a deep commitment to shaping the future of travel.”

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