Bookings are now open for the CTA AGM & Spring Networking event in Norwich from 17-19 May. We will be based at Kew Green Hotels’ Holiday Inn Norwich North and the event includes some great Fam trips to Broad Tours and Holkham Hall. The Fam trip on Sunday morning leaves the Holiday Inn early for [...]
CTA is very sad to hear of the death of Mike Whitehead, founder and managing director of Distinctive Systems. Mike was well known across the coach sector, having established Distinctive Systems which was a pioneer in the computerisation of many operators’ processes. He was a regular attendee at industry events over the years and will [...]
The next CTA event is at BTTS, which takes place at the NEC on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March. Come and see us on stand A38 at the show. The event will give members the opportunity to discuss their needs and develop new product, with buyers and suppliers from across the UK coming together. [...]
Coach operators have been reminded to use the approved parking and set down/pick up bays in the Aldwych area. Westminster City Council advises that the area has a set down/pick up area on Russell Street, plus parking bays on Kingsway and Victoria Embankment. More information is available from www.westminster.gov.uk/parking/coach-parking The reminder follows reports of obstructions [...]
New CTA member Gardense Viaggi is a wholesaler providing coach operators with complete tour programmes around Italy. The team offers classic packages to major musical, theatrical, and sporting events, and can also create tailor-made programmes. Gardense Viaggi’s services include ticketing, hotels, restaurants, as well as travel transfers. Set up in 2022 in Costermano sul Garda, [...]
Kynren – The Storied Lands is a new theme park for Bishop Auckland, set to open in summer 2026. The experience will transport visitors through history, myth, and legend, bringing the past to life through live-action performances. Phase one of the park will feature five shows and immersive experiences set against landscaped historical backdrops. Unlike [...]
This summer at Shakespeare's Globe theatre, groups are welcomed to watch Shakespeare with a twist, alongside classic productions from other noted playwrights. Summer in the Globe Theatre begins in the dangerous world of the American West with an exciting new production of Romeo and Juliet. As a Globe first, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible also premieres [...]
For the first time in five years, Preston Manor in Brighton will reopen to the public with a new visitor experience. Groups can explore the world of the influential Stanfords at Preston Manor, where the upstairs-downstairs life of Edwardian society comes alive. Visitors are free to wander through elegant rooms, charming gardens, and servants quarters, [...]
LFC's award winning Stadium Tour has introduced new content for 2025 plus two new languages to its multimedia audio guides, including Brazilian Portuguese and Dutch. The complimentary multimedia guides are included in the LFC Stadium Tour ticket price and enhance the experience while visiting the famous ground. In addition to the two new languages, content [...]
The Port of Leith Distillery is an important landmark in Edinburgh’s historic whisky district of Leith as the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery. Thought to be unique worldwide, the distillery is intended to reflect the company’s ambition to bring a pioneering approach to producing Scotland’s national drink. During a visit, groups can explore the architecture [...]
Aber Falls Distillery in Abergwyngregyn near Bangor, North Wales, is welcoming coach groups in 2025, providing distillery tours as well as a quick stop option. Distillery tours include a full tour of the single malt whisky process, and Aber Falls Distillery also offers a gin lab experience. Tours include tasting sessions, as well as takeaway [...]
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has revealed plans for a significant investment at its flagship property in Perthshire. The multi-million-pound project at Crieff Hydro includes a new day-to-night bar, refurbished dining areas, and the introduction of a stylish speakeasy bar. The hotel is also set to unveil new innovative menus alongside a cocktail experience, a [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry is hosting a fam trip on Thursday 10 April, 11am-1pm, where coach operators can discover the recently renovated attraction. St Mary’s Guildhall has acted as the centre of power in England during the War of the Roses, housed the crown jewels, been the prison of Mary Queen of Scots, and [...]
Wales Official Tourist Guides Association (Wales Best Guides) has launched a new interactive website, featuring an easy-to-use search tool that allows you to find a guide. The search tool enables the user to search for a guide by location, language, driver guide, availability, and guide interest. Groups can contact guides directly from the website. The [...]
The CTA Conference & Workshop 2025 achieved its best-ever attendance as 200 members came to Stratford-upon-Avon last weekend, 8-11 February. The main business session saw a record number of 1,200 meetings at the Meet the Buyer Workshop. See a slideshow of the photos from the event below ... thanks to Stuart Render and Allan Scott [...]
More than 1,000 meetings will be conducted at the Meet the Buyer Workshop at the CTA Conference 2025 with 200 delegates set to attend in Stratford-upon-Avon, 9-11 February. During the Conference, former Wish You Were Here? presenter Anthea Turner will be joined by ex-BBC transport correspondent Peter Plisner in a Q&A session on the current [...]
A We Love Coaches advertising campaign is set to begin from the end of January presenting welovecoaches.com and the ‘find a coach operator’ facility that promotes CTA operator members. The advertising campaign will include online media targeted to consumers. We Love Coaches adverts will feature on media websites as well as social media. The campaign [...]
CTA members should save the date for business generation and tour planning activities now scheduled for 2025/26. Following the March Hauts de France fam (see above): there will be a members reception at BTTS 19-20 March at the NEC; CTA Spring Networking will take place 17-19 May in Norwich; later in the year, the CTA [...]
Amaze Hotels has recently announced another coach tour-friendly property to its growing portfolio. Gomersal Park Hotel & Spa, just off the M62 near Leeds, features 86 bedrooms, spa facilities, plus a bar and restaurant. Gomersal joins the Amaze Hotel Group’s line up of predominantly Yorkshire-based hotels which also includes Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield, the [...]
The Best of Innsbruck 2025 is an essential guide for coach tour operators planning a visit to the most important city in Austria’s Tyrol, featuring must-see highlights including Nordkette mountain cable car, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and Tyrolean Folk Show with the Gundolf Family. The useful guide includes group pricing and booking information, opening times and [...]
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has unveiled the name of the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years, as the Royal Daffodil is set to enter service in the summer of 2026. The Royal Daffodil will provide passengers with improved accessibility, new seating areas, and an on-board bar. The vessel [...]
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has announced the return of its Call The Midwife Official Location Tour in 2025. The new series of the hit TV show, featuring eight new episodes, will launch in early 2025 on the BBC, and a further series – Call the Midwife’s fifteenth – has been commissioned for viewing in [...]
English Heritage has released the Group admission prices & site opening times 2025/26 guide, providing key information for coach tour operators planning on visiting historic properties and sites. Click here to download your copy of the guide that includes an index of all properties, plus details including opening times and contact information. Coach operators are [...]
Blenheim Palace has won Gold in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the annual Beautiful South Tourism Awards 2024-2025, with Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries taking silver. The Blenheim team is pictured with their award, and in 2025, Blenheim Palace is set to celebrate its 75th anniversary since opening to the public. This year, [...]
Coastal Cruises Poole is welcoming coach groups in 2025 for trips around Poole Harbour and The Jurassic Coast. Poole Harbour, Europe’s largest natural harbour, and The Jurassic Coastline, boast exceptional scenery and interesting history. Coastal Cruises Poole is well located to provide groups with a variety of maritime trips around the stunning seascape of the [...]
New Forest Collection Hotels has joined the CTA, offering members a choice of four hotels situated in charming destinations in the New Forest. For an historic and characterful stay, properties include Burley Manor and Bartley Lodge, providing beautiful architecture and scenery with excellent dining on site. Sumptuous accommodation also includes the option of rooms with [...]
A programme of new hotel openings combined with exhibitions and anniversaries is set to make 2025 a great year for groups to discover NewcastleGateshead and the North East region. Gotham Hotel Newcastle is a new, luxury 5-star property opening in Spring 2025. Combining a former fire station and police station, the hotel will offer 60 [...]
Blackpool has released an 88-page guide showcasing what the resort has to offer in the year ahead, including events for 2025, classic attractions, plus an index of accommodation. The guide, which can be accessed here, is released hot on the heels of CTA Winter Networking held in Blackpool in November, which presented a variety of [...]
This is a final call for bookings for the CTA Conference & Workshop 2025 taking place 9-11 February 2025 in Stratford-upon-Avon. The final deadline for registration to take part in the Workshop on the Monday morning of the event is 23 December 2024 – don’t miss out – book now! If you book after that [...]
The Government of Jersey has appointed DFDS to operate UK and French passenger and freight ferry services from 28 March 2025. The 2025 timetable of services will be published this month with DFDS operating ferries to Jersey from Poole, Portsmouth, and St. Malo. For coach operators, DFDS will transport foot passengers to the island. The [...]
Based at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool from 23-25 November, CTA Winter Networking generated new business for members alongside special fam trips to develop product. “Strong attendance from operators and wholesalers has driven excellent participation from high-quality suppliers,” said CTA Chair, Robert Shaw. “CTA Operators were delighted with the opportunities to create new trips and tours. [...]
CTA operator members had a successful event at the recent routeone Awards 2024 with Skills Holidays, Maynes Coaches, and Edwards Coaches taking prizes. Maynes Coaches won the award for Outstanding Customer Experience, with the prize sponsored by Arthur Spriggs Busworld Tewkesbury, as well as Best Use of Technology – Coach Operator, partnered by JMW Solicitors. [...]
CTA member CN Live Productions specialises in theatre productions and live events that feature the best West End talent alongside local performers. Managed by father and son duo, Nicholas and Colin Duncan, you may have seen CN Live production’s West End Seasons at CTA’s recent Winter Networking event in Blackpool. To rapturous applause, the West [...]
Swarovski Kristallwelten, or Crystal World, in Austria is home to the famous crystal maker, and Christmas time is an ideal occasion to take groups to enjoy the displays and lights. Based in Wattens near Innsbruck, Winter Wonderland transforms Swarovski Kristallwelten's garden into a fairy tale-inspired, illuminated winter experience. Swarovski crystal and Christmas are closely linked [...]
Tourism Ireland is promoting a variety of Christmas-themed events across the island of Ireland that can form key moments in a festive tour for coach groups of all ages. Yulefest in Kilkenny presents festive movies alongside glittering lights and medieval charm. Featuring music acts and a panto – it’s Snow White this year -Graiguenamanagh’s Christmas [...]
Hotel management company Valor Hospitality has announced the opening of three new UK hotels in early 2025, suitable for coach tour groups. The new-build voco Zeal Exeter opens in February 2025 and will be IHG’s first net-zero carbon hotel. The voco Zeal features 142 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar showcasing local produce, a mini gym, [...]
‘Next Stop Durham’ is a new marketing campaign from Visit County Durham aiming to engage with travellers who may have passed through the county but not taken the time to stop and explore. The campaign runs until spring 2025 and will include advertising on the London Underground and train stations on the east coast network. [...]
Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire is a new CTA member for 2025 and is home to a working collection of aircraft and vehicles, plus almost 60 acres of estate to explore, including gardens and a Woodland Walk. Cared for by engineers, Shuttleworth features a working collection of airworthy vintage aircraft, agricultural and steam exhibits, veteran vehicles, carriages, [...]
The Liverpool Beatles Museum has unveiled a new exhibit, offering fans a glimpse into two pivotal moments in the Fab Four’s journey to stardom. The exhibit features backstage furniture from Hulme Hall in Birkenhead, a venue steeped in Beatles history. The new exhibits are linked to The Beatles’ milestones including Ringo Starr’s first performance with [...]
New CTA member Group Travel Brokers, an independent wholesaler, has strengthened its line-up to the coach tourism market with the arrival of well-known industry experts Lucy Osborne and Stephanie Greenwood. Lucy and Stephanie have extensive travel experience working for some of the UK's biggest coach tour operators. The duo’s expertise further enables Group Travel Brokers [...]
A new winter lights trail has now opened at The Heights of Abraham with illuminations creating a spectacular scene at the Matlock Bath cable car attraction. Opening on 22 November through to 30 December (excluding 24-26 December), cable cars travel to the summit of the heights from 4.30pm until 9pm. The Lights of Abraham route [...]
Hovertravel, providing year-round crossings between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, as well as hovercraft tours, has announced the addition of French and German translation services for group bookings across its wide range of offerings. The new translation services apply to Hovertravel’s group travel between the Isle of Wight and Southsea, as well as [...]
Over 100 members have already booked to attend the CTA Conference & Workshop 2025, and coach operator members should book now to secure the last remaining rooms available for the pre-night hotel fam. Book here! The Conference & Workshop is taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon, Sunday 9 to Tuesday 11 February 2025, with an FOC stay [...]
CTA received record numbers for the CTA Networking event at WTM at the The Fox pub at ExCel, Tuesday 5 November on the opening morning of World Travel Market. The event produced many useful conversations with a wide span of members including operators, wholesalers, and suppliers. Many thanks to our sponsor, CroisiEurope, and to all [...]
Bookings have now been finalised for CTA Winter Networking in Blackpool, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 November, with over 160 members booked to attend. Taking place at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, the weekend includes fam trips to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, as well as visits to Merlin Entertainment’s Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Blackpool Aquarium, and High [...]
Leger Shearings Group’s CEO Liam Race, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Oldfield and Chief Product Officer Chris Plummer have become majority shareholders in the company. The trio originally acquired a 30 per cent stake in a management buyout of Leger Holidays in 2019. Ian Henry, who led the company for over 30 years, and Kathleen Henry, [...]
European river cruise operator CroisiEurope has opened bookings for its 2026 river cruise season, offering more than 170 itineraries on 55 ships across 39 waterways in 37 countries. The 2026 programme includes traditional routes on renowned rivers like the Rhine, Seine, Danube, and Douro. Groups seeking less-travelled waterways can also explore rivers such as the [...]
Hospitality Line has announced a lineup of New Year's Eve cruises to welcome in 2025. Tickets are now available for an evening combining dining at a choice of restaurants with London’s fireworks display on a sightseeing cruise along the Thames. Guests will be served a three-course festive dinner, and the fireworks cruise includes a welcome [...]
Hever Castle in Kent has announced the world premiere of Anne Boleyn: The Musical, debuting in the grounds of the iconic castle where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood. The production will run from 2 – 30 August 2025 in a specially constructed outdoor auditorium, offering a performance against the historic backdrop of Hever Castle. Anne [...]
The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire has won a Gold accolade for excellence by VisitEngland in recognition of an outstanding visitor experience. The attraction is a country park set in 60 acres of woodland, reached by cable car over a deep limestone gorge in the Peak District. Feedback from VisitEngland said: “The team [...]
