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 [...]
Set along Sidmouth’s picturesque seafront, the Bedford Hotel hosts 40 ensuite rooms, including a mix of twin, double and single rooms, that blend Regency-era charm with modern amenities. Family-owned and operated, the Bedford Hotel provides a relaxed base to explore the natural beauty of Devon’s Jurassic Coast and the vibrant offerings of Sidmouth itself. The [...]
Hovertravel has announced the launch of its 2025 calendar of Hover Days, offering day trips for island residents. Hover Days include a hovercraft journey across the Solent and a coach transfer from its Southsea terminal. Building on the success of the past two years, Hover Days 2025 features a diverse selection of trips, with destinations [...]
Visit Durham is highlighting a range of coach-friendly hotels in the city to suit a range of budgets and interests. For city centre accommodation with riverside views, the RadissonBlu Durham features a newly refurbished bar and restaurant. Meanwhile, the Delta by Marriott Hotel Royal Count features coach drop off and pick up point outside the [...]
Blenheim Palace has announced new visitor experiences for 2025 which will only be available for a limited time due to the launch of its most ambitious restoration project to date. The historic roof project is a restoration that aims to preserve the architecture and safeguard the heritage of Blenheim Palace for generations to come. Alongside [...]
The Bishop Auckland attraction The Auckland Project has won a VisitEngland Gold award following a Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment. The Auckland Project includes Auckland Palace and its Walled Gardens, Auckland Tower, the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery. VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction [...]
The Royal Collection Trust has released its Group Visit & Private Tours 2025 brochure, providing tour operators with everything they need to know to plan a visit. The brochure includes details on booking a group visit to the summer opening of Buckingham Palace, as well as private guided tours of Windsor Castle and the Palace [...]
The CTA Conference & Workshop 2025, Stratford-upon-Avon, Saturday 8 to Tuesday 11 February 2025, is already proving popular with more than 60 taking advantage of the Early Bird rates so far – please book early as the Early Bird is only available until 31 October. With DFDS as Gold Sponsor and Trust My Travel as [...]
Jason Edwards, Managing Director of coach operator Jason Edwards Travel, and Paul Harper, Commercial Director at coach and hotel operator Daish’s Group, have joined the Coach Tourism Association’s (CTA) board of directors. Jason Edwards launched Jason Edwards Travel early last year, establishing a 19-strong coach fleet with bases in Heathrow and Pontypridd to provide coach [...]
CTA is inviting members to its World Travel Market networking event on the opening morning of the exhibition, Tuesday 5 November, 9am-11am, in the main bar area of The Fox pub at Excel. There is no need to pre-book for the CTA event, however members are reminded that pre-registration to WTM is required with no [...]
Registration has opened for VisitScotland Connect 2025, Scotland’s premier travel trade event, taking place on 9 and 10 April at P&J Live, Aberdeen. Travel trade buyers, suppliers, as well as destination management organisations and local authorities, are invited to attend and register via this link. The event presents tourism buyers from around the globe with [...]
Maria Fullana-Arenas has joined Accor as the new UK-based Leisure Sales Manager and will be the main point of contact for CTA members. Working in the hotel sector for nearly 10 years, Maria takes on her role following more than two years as Leisure Sales Manager at Novotel London West. Maria’s remit as Account Manager [...]
A new walking tour has been launched in Conwy with availability for groups of up to 50 people. Conwy Guided Tours is a new company focused on the Conwy UNESCO World Heritage Site, with highlights including the town walls and properties owned by Cadw and the National Trust. Walks are led by James Reeve who [...]
New CTA member TourAxis enables travel operators to book customisable group tours online to destinations around the world, as well as providing guided coach tours in the UK and around the world. Under the company’s Group Tour Shop brand, this service allows travel operators to select from pre-designed tour templates, where operators choose from a [...]
Booking for Matilda the Musical is now open until May 2026 with travel trade rates available. Presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and taking place at London’s Cambridge Theatre, Matilda the Musical is inspired by Roald Dahl’s book. The production is based on the story of an extraordinary young girl with telekinetic powers, ignored [...]
A new exhibition presenting drawings by artists including da Vinci and Michelangelo will be on display at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from 1 November until 9 March 2025. Drawing the Italian Renaissance will present around 160 works by over 80 artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, alongside lesser-known artists. The [...]
Mersey Ferries has launched its 2025 Cruise Programme, featuring cruises for groups ranging from a 50-minute sightseeing tour, to a half- or full-day cruise. Starting with River Explorer Cruises, these 50-minute trips are a great way for visitors to the city to view the skyline and landmarks from the deck of the Mersey Ferry, along [...]
New CTA member Waterside Hotels is an established hotel group based in Blackpool, providing luxury accommodation, dining, and entertainment at two hotel locations across the Fylde Coast. Both the Park House Hotel and Doric Hotel feature 103 en-suite bedrooms that have recently benefitted from an extensive refurbishment. The Doric Hotel is situated on Queen’s [...]
The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, one of the world’s most contemporary gardens, is a new CTA member keen to attract coach groups. The venue is also home to Lilidorei at Alnwick Garden, an enchanted children’s play world. Created by the Duchess of Northumberland in 2001, The Alnwick Garden is a modern display combining sculpture, water [...]
Artisan gin and rum producer, Shakespeare Distillery based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is offering CTA members a special winter commission for visiting groups. Applicable at both the distillery and its Stratford town centre location, Judith’s Tasting Rooms, from 1 January to 31 March 2025, Shakespeare Distillery is offering improved rates. For Distillery Tours & Tastings running Wednesday [...]
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall in Stratford-upon-Avon is offering CTA members special group rates from 31 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. At the attraction, groups can explore the room where William Shakespeare sat in the 1570s for his years in education, while the authentic experience for all ages brings to life a fascinating chapter in [...]
Stena Line and Euromast have combined to provide operators and wholesalers with a new trip experience to Rotterdam, promoted by b2b travel sales representatives, Worldwide Attractions. Stena Line provides ferries connecting Harwich to Hoek van Holland with special group rates available for bookings of 10 or more. The lowest fares are offered during off-peak months, [...]
Shaun Read is managing director of Ashley & Newey. Following nearly 7 years with Ashley & Newey, initially serving as the Tour Development Manager, Shaun then advanced to the role of Business & Operations Manager in 2022. His keen interest in the industry led to his appointment to the CTA board in 2023, followed soon [...]
Emma has been Managing Director at Alfa Travel for nearly four years following promotion from her previous role as Group Finance Director. Emma began her tourism experience as Finance Manager at Pontins in 2005 before moving to the coach holiday operator in 2007. Bringing her extensive business experience in support of coach tourism industry, Emma [...]
Graham began his career in the ferry industry in 1999 with Condor Ferries, progressing to Group Sales Manager. Graham transferred to DFDS in 2018 and now works as Global Sales Manager, focussing on the group industry across the UK and Europe. The coach sector is key to Graham’s role and he brings this experience to [...]
At Albatross Travel, Louise provides coach operators with full tour packages for UK and Continental travel. Bringing extensive experience from the hotel and wholesaler sectors, Louise joined the industry in 2003 before going on to serve coach operators as National Account Manager Leisure at Marriott Hotels. Louise first served on CTA’s board between 2014 and [...]
Andrew is a coach insurance expert and has worked in the travel insurance sector since the late ‘80s. Following nearly 12 years as Senior Account Executive at Towergate Chapman Stevens, Andrew transferred to Wrightsure over 10 years ago. As Business Development Director, his extensive focus on coach operators means he brings valuable experience to the [...]
Paul grew up around the coaching fraternity as a child with his father & grandfather holding a PSV licence for many years. He soon followed his coaching heritage joining his father working for a local company escorting holidays into Europe. Born in 2006, A&P Travel provides Quality Coach Holidays and Day Excursions, remaining a small [...]
Having worked in the coach sector from the age of 16, Roger Bull set up RB Travel in 2003, based out of Kettering, Northamptonshire. Today, RB Travel operates 13 coaches on UK and European excursions and holidays. Roger has been on the CTA board since 2018.
After a long career in coach tourism, David set up Blakes Coaches in Devon in 1998. With a fleet of 24 vehicles, Blakes Coaches operates holidays and excursions in the UK and across Europe. In addition to being on the CTA board, David has also been elected onto the UK Coach Operators Association Board, and [...]
Robert Shaw is CTA’s Chair and previously served for over 10 years on the CTA board. As Managing Director of coach holiday operator Harry Shaw, based in Warwickshire, Robert has 40 years’ industry experience. Joining the family firm in the early 1980’s after graduating from The Cass Business School in London, Robert was involved in [...]
Paul Harper is Commercial Director for Daish’s Group, a family owned and operated hotel and coach operator. With more than 20 years’ experience in leisure and tourism industry, including the past 10 years within the coach and hotel market working at Daish’s, Paul is passionate about tourism and the role it has to play in [...]
Jason Edwards is company owner and managing director at Jason Edwards Travel, located at Heathrow, London with a recently-opened office in Pontypridd, South Wales. With more than 23 years of experience in the transport and tourism industry, and 13 years as an aircraft engineer with British Airways and GE, an eye for detail comes naturally [...]
We are excited to launch the bookings for the CTA Conference & Workshop 2025 which takes place in Stratford-upon Avon from 8-11 February. The event is based at the Crowne Plaza Stratford and features the ever-popular and must-attend Meet the Buyer Workshop on the Monday morning, plus a Conference session that afternoon and networking dinners on Sunday and Monday. There are [...]
CTA operator and wholesaler buyer members should book now for the remaining places available at CTA Winter Networking. The event takes place in Blackpool, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 November. Over 120 delegates have booked to attend the event with the new extended format. Held at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, the weekend will present widespread opportunities [...]
Louise Webster, European Tours Manager at Acklams Coaches, and Beverley Williams-Smith, Head of Sales and Partnerships UK & Inbound, Kew Green Hotels, have joined CTA’s board of directors. With more than 20 years in the industry and a degree in Business Management, Louise Webster has held her role at Acklams Coaches for three years, following [...]
CTA-member suppliers are invited to sponsor the 2025 CTA Conference, taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon, 9-11 February. A range of packages are still available, providing excellent exposure to over 200 expected delegate companies at the event, as well as media and social media promotion to a wider travel trade audience. Options cover a variety of price [...]
Gwynedd Council has launched a study into improved coach access, drop off and parking in Caernarfon, and is inviting coach operators to provide feedback. The feasibility study is looking into the management of coaches and coach parking, particularly over seasonal peaks. The 16-question survey is open to operators and/or drivers and can be accessed here: [...]
