TOURIST BOARDS & DESTINATIONS
National tourist boards and regional tourist offices listed below are all keen to welcome coaches
Destination North East England
destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/travel-trade
0191 440 5741
Destination North East England is responsible for the promotion of the North East region on both the national and international stage. We work together with the travel trade and provide a number of services for visitors, group bookings, support business events, drive innovation with our partners, improve skills, develop products and improve the accessibility and sustainability of the sector, to grow the visitor economy.
The North East of England is one of the least explored areas of the UK, and yet home to a combination of castles, cathedrals, culture and countryside, waiting for visitors to explore. From city to coast, harbour to heartland; the region offers a welcome and friendliness renowned amongst those that know.
Film locations from Harry Potter abound in the area that stretches from the Northernmost outpost of Roman Britain at Hadrian’s Wall to the location of the UK’s only live performance of the entire history of Britain at Kynren in Bishop Auckland, playing out every summer in the largest outdoor theatre space anywhere in the UK. Offering local experiences away from the crowded streets of our more famous neighbours.
We look forward to welcoming your clients to the wonder that is the North East of England.
Destination Plymouth
www.visitplymouth.co.uk
07779 349483
Welcoming groups and travel trade to Britain’s Ocean City
As Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth’s impressive waterfront is completely unmissable. With quaint, historic spots, delicious food and drink and beautiful natural spaces to enjoy, there’s plenty to explore.
Here you’ll discover hundreds of years of history, from Sir Francis Drake to the Mayflower Pilgrims and the story of a city rebuilt after World War II, alongside vibrant arts and culture, incredible food and drink and the most incredible views you’ll see anywhere in the South West.
Benefitting from a variety of transport access points from land, sea and air, Plymouth is the perfect destination for group day trips and short breaks.
Plymouth is home to some incredible group friendly attractions, with something for everyone to enjoy – from the UK’s largest aquarium to historical boat trips around Plymouth Sound and exciting museums like The Box which can offer some insightful Curator Tours, plus a visit to the famous Plymouth Gin Distillery, to see how this world-famous gin is made and learn about the history.
Plymouth has an interesting and varied maritime history, and there are some fascinating local sites to be visited in the area dating from the 15th century onwards such as the famous Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrims set sail in 1620. We have some great itineraries for your groups showcasing the Mayflower story in city.
Contact details for more information
www.visitplymouth.co.uk/traveltrade
traveltrade@destination.org.uk
Devon’s Top Attractions
www.devonstopattractions.co.uk
07905 291567
Devon’s Top Attractions represent the very best visitor attractions in Devon. Annually inspected to meet quality standards, ensuring visitors enjoy a quality day out on every level. They offer a whole host of interesting and varied days out. Including mysterious castles, botanical gardens, museums and impressive stately homes, award winning steam railways, narrow gauge trams and exciting boat cruises. Also within the mix of attractions are award winning theme parks, farm parks, zoos and animal adventures, plus active outdoor experience days out.
With such a rich variety of options as well as unrivalled scenery and two wonderful coastlines, Devon is a perfect destination. A one stop information shop and a group trip itinerary planning service is available, plus attractive prices and superb joint ticketing options.
Discover Durham
discoverdurham.co.uk
03000 261 224
Durham, in North East England, is the ideal destination for coach tours and group travel visits, boasting award-winning attractions, stunning landscapes, and with a characterful heritage city at its heart. Discover Durham, led by destination management organisation Visit County Durham, is the county’s group travel and travel trade consortium, representing Durham’s group-friendly attractions, accommodation and tour guides. The website is a one-stop shop, featuring places to visit, places to stay, events, Blue Badge Guides and tour guides, alongside inspirational itineraries, group rates and offers, and practical information to ensure coach visits to the county run smoothly. Durham welcomes coaches, providing excellent facilities across the county. And with incredible developments currently taking place at a number of attractions, which will further enhance our offer, Durham is a destination not to be missed.
Duke Travel
www.duketravel.com
01624 640044
Hauts-de-France Region Tourism & Convention Board
www.hautetfort-hautsdefrance.com
+ 33 (0)3 22 22 33 93
Hauts-de-France, France’s northernmost region, is the UK’s closest international destination. Offering a truly authentic French experience on your doorstep, it makes a fantastic option for easily accessible coach holidays.
From city breaks in Lille, Amiens or Arras, historical and cultural tours to beautiful gardens and champagne vineyards, the region offers a huge choice of activities and excursions to suit many different interests and types of groups.
Dunkirk’s beaches and the region’s WW1 battlefields offer powerful emotional and historical ties with a strong shared history and heritage.
Lille is the largest city and regional capital, with its Flemish architecture and many art venues. Other cities to discover include foodie Montreuil-Sur-Mer, iconic Arras, seaside Boulogne-Sur-Mer, trendy Le Touquet and the market towns of Saint-Omer and Amiens.
With its pretty cobbled streets and 17th century architecture, Gerberoy is recognised as being one of the most beautiful villages in France. Home to two outstanding gardens, it makes a perfect combination with Giverny, Normandy.
Further South, on the Paris region border, is a land of royal castles nestled in deep forests: Chantilly, Compiègne, Pierrefonds… all close to the beautiful medieval town of Senlis, which has been used as a film location over 200 times since 1935.
Scotland’s Tay Country
www.taycountry.uk
07980 283407
We are proud members of the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), enhancing our offerings and support for the travel trade.
Located just an hour north of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Tay Country spans the stunning east coast of Scotland. This captivating destination includes the beautiful areas of Angus, Fife, Perthshire, and the vibrant city of Dundee.
As the dedicated online resource and engagement channel for the travel trade, Scotland’s Tay Country offers invaluable support and information to industry professionals. Our comprehensive, travel trade-focused website features:
- Inspirational Itineraries: Discover carefully crafted travel plans showcasing the best of Scotland’s Tay Country.
- Videos and Image Bank: Access a rich collection of multimedia resources to enhance your promotional materials.
- Product Directory: Easily find trade-ready businesses, accommodations, and attractions catering to groups, with convenient filtering options.
We invite you to explore our website and connect with Jemma, who is ready to assist with new itinerary ideas and programmes, ensuring your tours are filled with inspiration and excitement.
For more information, please visit our website or contact Jemma at traveltrade@taycountry.uk for personalised support.
South of Scotland Destination Alliance
www.ssdalliance.com
07833 518819
The South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)
The South of Scotland has shaped the nation’s history and culture for centuries, the borderland where Scotland truly starts.
Exploring the rolling hills and rugged picturesque coastlines of the Scottish Border, you realise this region is defined as much by its landscape as it is by its spellbinding abbeys, fascinating heritage sites, awe-inspiring stately homes and castles and the time-honoured and truly unique Common Ridings.
Dumfries & Galloway with its rocky shores and sandy beaches, its large forests and green spaces invites visitors to take a deep breath, to explore the lands and the dark sky, natural habitats and communities at a quiet pace.
Within easy reach from the North of England, Edinburgh and Glasgow this region is for the adventure seeker, the foodie, the history fan, the stargazer and those who simply like to take a deep breath away from the crowds.
The SSDA is the industry led Destination Management and Marketing Organisation for the South of Scotland. We are dedicated to assisting tour operators with information, advice and marketing collateral to build tourism programmes in the region – giving visitors a slower-paced experience of Scotland.
Tourism Ireland
www.ireland.com
020 7518 0812
Tourism South East
www.tourismsoutheast.com
023 80625 528
As the umbrella DMO for South East England we actively support and promote tourism businesses and destinations across the region through membership, marketing, and our various range of support services to boost tourism growth. TSE provides services and expertise to businesses and destination partners to help them to be successful, together we contribute more to the visitor economy. From world-class attractions and national institutions to small B&Bs and local pubs, we offer a range of discounted benefits and services to suit all types of business.
VisitAberdeenshire
travel-trade.visitabdn.com/
+44 (0)1224 900506
Situated in the north east of Scotland, Aberdeen and the surrounding area Aberdeenshire offer a truly authentic Scottish experience. A vibrant city, distilleries, castles, food and drink experiences, and stunning scenery await.
A wide range of group friendly accommodation is available, from budget city centre hotels to country house properties, all at very competitive rates. The destination lends itself well to both city plus and touring itineraries for coach groups of all sizes. Whether your clients are visiting one of our 263 castles, touring the late-medieval cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen, exploring Royal Deeside or our 165 mile coastline, visiting a working Highland cattle farm, or meeting a Scottish Laird, they can mix and match a range of experiences to make for an unforgettable trip.
VisitAberdeenshire offers you a range of complimentary services so we can share our local knowledge of the destination to help you plan unique and memorable experiences for your clients, including:
- Itinerary planning and development
- Sourcing quotes
- Providing contacts for accommodation, attractions and restaurants
- Use of the images and videos in the Media Room on our website
- Familiarisation visits
- A section of our website dedicated to the travel trade
- Sales training (delivered remotely)
To see VisitAberdeenshire’s travel trade product guide, which highlights the brightest and best of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, click on this link
Visit Blackpool
www.visitblackpool.com
01253 478222
Visit Essex
www.visitessex.com
07500 976289
Visit Essex is the official tourism organisation for the county of Essex, England. Our mission is to raise awareness and promote the extensive tourism offering within Essex, from our stunning 350-mile coastline, unique accommodation, fun-fuelled activities, and rich history and heritage. There’s something in Essex for everyone to enjoy, with both urban cities such as Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded city, and more rural, quaint locations such as Maldon and Saffron Walden. There are many group friendly days out and weekend trips that are unique to Essex, from walking or taking the train along the world’s longest pier in Southend-on-Sea to visiting one of our many beautiful vineyards for a wine tour and tasting. For those interested in history, heritage and culture, Essex has one of the most deep and rich histories there is to explore – visit castles, museums, and art galleries to delve deeper into what makes Essex the county it is today.
Visit Exeter
www.visitexeter.com
01392 265209
Exeter is the perfect destination for your next group visit. Whether your group is interested in shopping, heritage and culture, the outdoors, or food and drink, we have it all!
Exeter is the regional capital for culture, leisure and shopping. With over 2,000 years of history, there are some fascinating attractions, including the magnificent Exeter Cathedral, the unique Underground Passages and the world class Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Historically a major port, the city’s quayside area is now focused towards leisure, with a number of eateries where your group can relax and enjoy a traditional cream tea!
Planning a group Christmas shopping trip to Exeter? There are hundreds of shops, both high street and independents where you can get that extra special Christmas gift, or head to the annual Exeter Christmas Market to soak up the festive atmosphere.
Visit Exeter provides a helpful and informative one-stop booking service to help you get the most out of your visit, including organising a guided tour with Exeter’s Red Coat Guides: booking attractions visits; suggesting tailor-made group itineraries; accommodation advice and help with coach parking.
Book your visit by using our booking form available to download at www.visitexeter.com/groups or call 01392 265203 for further information.
Visit Herts
www.visitherts.co.uk
01227 812910
Visit Hull
www.visithull.org/group-travel
01482 391537
A city full of surprises and hidden corners; a place that changes with the light, the tide, and the seasons; a modern city where the echoes of the past can still be heard.
Love to Shop, Hull has an abundance of independent retailers alongside traditional high street favourites in the pedestrianised city centre; Or take a stroll into the historic Old Town, Trinity Market, and Fruit Market Hull where foodies can enjoy high-quality restaurant and street food, alongside more pubs, breweries, and distilleries than you can shake a stick at.
Explore the cobbled streets and ancient alleyways of Hull’s Old Town home to many of the 7 free museums and galleries in the city centre; discover secrets of the ocean at The Deep, Hull’s award-winning aquarium, which is home to over 5,000 animals.
Marvel at amazing marine life including magnificent sharks and rays.
Or check out one of our walking trails, the perfect way to discover a city packed with interesting history, quirky facts, and funny tales around every corner. Just walking through the medieval streets, you might spot a stray fish in the pavement or a statue peeking over a wall.
Find out more and book your trip today:hullgrouptravel.com
Visit Isle of Man
www.visitisleofman.com
01624 686733
The Isle of Man – an island that feels a world away, yet so close to home.
The first entire nation in the world to be recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A proud testament to the richness and scope of the island’s awe-inspiring nature, its ancient and compelling history and the vibrancy of its culture. Open your client’s eyes to a place that reminds them how life should be. With 33 national heritage sites, a rich transport heritage with the largest narrow-gauge railway network in the British Isles, 18 national glens and 27 nature reserves, there is something to suit everyone.
Located at the heart of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is a hassle-free sail away from the UK and Ireland. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company links the Isle of Man to the UK and Irish ports of Liverpool, Heysham, Belfast and Dublin. With short journey times between key destinations on the island you won’t have to spend hours travelling.
The Isle of Man’s spectacular visitor facilities and accommodation choices are perfect for group excursions and breaks. Visit Isle of Man’s trade marketing and product teams can help design cost effective, immersive programmes for travel trade operators.
Visit Isle of Wight
www.visitisleofwight.co.uk
01983 521555
It’s just a short hop across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, where you’ll be amazed by what’s waiting for you! Discover an Island rich in history, where dinosaurs used to roam, and where Queen Victoria had her holiday home.
Whether your group is looking for historic castles, glorious gardens, animal magic, steam railways or prehistoric landscapes, the Isle of Wight is a voyage of discovery just a stone’s throw from the mainland.
Good transport links and frequent ferry crossings make this the ideal destination for visitors looking for a holiday or short break within the British Isles. So, what are you waiting for? Say Yes to adventure and an extraordinary trip. Say Yes to the Isle of Wight.
Visit Kent
www.visitkent.co.uk
01227 812910
Ideally located as a touring base, Kent can be reached easily from London and mainland Europe with regular train and ferry services. Kent is also easily accessible by road and with a number of coach parks, larger vehicles are always welcome.
Easy to reach, easy to explore, Kent offers great practical visitor facilities and accommodation – perfect for group excursions and breaks.
Visit Lake District, Cumbria – Let’s Go Culture
www.visitlakedistrict.com/letsgoculture
01539822222
A warm welcome to the Lake District, Cumbria’s Westmorland & Furness region awaits group travellers.
Spanning from Alston in the North Pennines to Barrow-in-Furness on the southern tip of the Cumbrian coastline, the region of Westmorland & Furness is an all-encompassing destination that covers lakes, mountains with a splendid range of cultural offerings to support your group itineraries including museums, galleries, heritage attractions and everything in-between.
From the luxurious interiors of county halls to the humble rooms of a poet’s cottage; from interactive museums telling the fascinating story of our industrial heritage to contemporary spaces showcasing the work of artisans, your customers will be spoilt for choice.
With easy access from the M6 at junction 36 for the south and junction 40 in the north, the region can be reached in around 4 hours from London, two from the midlands, two to three hours from Scotland and as little as 1.5 hours from Manchester.
Friendly staff on-site will be able to help arrange pick-ups and drop offs and many attractions offer free coach parking, on-site cafes and toilets, special rates for groups and additional incentives for drivers.
Visit www.visitlakedistrict.com/culture-experiences for more information or contact Francine Bult (fbult@cumbriatourism.org) or Amanda Shaw (ashaw@cumbriatourism.org)
The Let’s Go Culture in Westmorland & Furness project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Westmorland & Furness Council.
VisitScotland
www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com
0131 472 2431
Scotland – a destination steeped in history and heritage, from our magnificent castles built centuries ago set in breathtaking landscape to the lively celebration of our culture today. Your clients will bring with them memories of our famous whisky distliieries, castles, pipers and Scotland’s unique culture. As the national tourism organisation for Scotland, VisitScotland’s trade marketing team can help the travel trade to develop Scotland programmes, and deliver cost effective routes to market and promote your programme.
See more on VisitScotland Partner page
Visit Southport
www.visitsouthport.com
07540 633391
Southport offers wide shopping boulevards, an award-winning beach and coastline,
spectacular gardens, a magnificent pier, world-beating flower, food, air and firework
festivals and all the fresh air that goes with being a coastal resort. Nearby is historic
Churchtown, WWT Martin Mere, and Crosby Beach, home to Antony Gormley’s 100 Iron
Men.
Visit Wales
www.traveltrade.visitwales.com
0300 061 6094
Visit Wales has strengthened its relationship with the Coach Tourism Association by becoming a Partner Member.
The importance of working together on tourism issues and opportunities for Wales in the coach operating sector has been highlighted during the pandemic and Visit Wales is pleased to formalise the already strong relationship with the association through this new partnership.
See more on Visit Wales partner page
Wales Best Guides (Wales Official Tourist Guides)
www.walesbestguides.com
07867 786368
Welcome to Wales
Members of Wales Official Tourist Guides Association are the only guides officially recognised by Welsh Government to guide in Wales. All have undergone extensive training, passing both practical and academic guiding examinations.
Many members have the prestigious ‘Blue Badge’ guide qualification, a mark of quality and expertise for over 50 years. Others hold ‘regional’ or ‘site specific’ qualifications.
All relish the chance to share their knowledge, aiming to provide fun and enlightening commentaries. When visiting Wales with a Wales Official Tourist Guide, you could not be in more capable hands.
White Cliffs Country – Visit Dover, Deal and Sandwich
www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk
01304 201066
Welcome to wonderful White Cliffs Country on the southeast coast of England, home of the world-famous White Cliffs of Dover. As well as the iconic chalk cliffs, we’re home to magnificent castles and forts spanning more than 2000 years of history, the characterful towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, picturesque villages and spectacular natural landscapes.
In 2022, Lonely Planet listed Kent’s Heritage Coast as one of the best regions to visit in the world and we’re sure you’ll agree. Here you’ll find a warm welcome, plenty of memorable things to see and do, space to relax and recharge, beautiful walking and cycling routes, delicious food and drink, and fantastic hospitality. With so much to explore and experience here, we’re confident you’ll want to stay longer.
Easy to travel to from London and mainland Europe, White Cliffs Country is a world away on your doorstep.
