CTA is deeply saddened by the news that Stacy Whittington, The QHotels Collection, died suddenly last Wednesday (31 May). Stacy was very well known right across the CTA membership and was a regular and very enthusiastic attendee of our networking events. Stacy's presence will be sorely missed by all her friends and colleagues in CTA [...]
CTA's Spring Networking event in Llandudno, sponsored by Visit Wales, attracted 95 members including coach operators, wholesalers, and industry suppliers. Held over Sunday 21 to Monday 22 May, the programme included a fam trip, supplier showcase and networking, as well as a social media masterclass. See a photo gallery of the event here - thanks [...]
CTA will welcome members to its Spring Networking & AGM event in Llandudno this coming weekend (21-22 May). CTA is delighted to confirm sponsors for the Llandudno event. Christmas in Birmingham is sponsoring the Networking Dinner on Sunday evening. And CTA Partner member Visit Wales is sponsoring the buyers’ attendance at the event. (See the latest tourism trade [...]
CTA has launched an updated news submission service, making it easier for members to share their news for promotion across the organisation’s network. All members are invited to submit their news updates to an easy to use online template. Selected news submissions will be included within the new CTA News Update that will be circulated [...]
Providing a range of more than 20 brewpubs across England and Wales, Brewhouse & Kitchen has opened a new location in Chelmsford. Like all Brewhouse & Kitchen venues, the Chelmsford pub brews its own beer on site and offers a range of dining options. Groups can enjoy a tour, tasting, and meal package, with a [...]
A new exhibition at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, reveals life in the eighteenth century through fashions of the day. Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians aims to explain life in Britain during a revolutionary era of industry, trade, travel, and technological innovation. On display until 8 October 2023, the exhibition reveals how the Georgians [...]
This year, groups attending Christmas at Blenheim Palace are invited to book directly with the Blenheim Palace groups booking team. Enabling operators to book direct for the popular Christmas events is aimed at further improving the service by offering the expertise of the in-house Blenheim Palace team. To book the date and time to visit [...]
Insurance provider Towergate Travel is now open to enquiries for ABTA bonds. Towergate Travel is working in partnership with AXA Insurance UK plc. The company says that following the exit of several insurance markets following Brexit and Covid, bringing additional bonding capacity to the travel industry has been challenging. Towergate Travel can now provide ABTA [...]
Liverpool’s Strawberry Field has revealed images of a new mosaic that will feature in the bandstand opening later this year. Meanwhile, groups can enjoy the updated garden tour, featuring soundscapes intended to help visitors explore mindfulness and reconnect with nature. Strawberry Field is an interactive experience that tells stories of the Victorian house, its transition [...]
The Book of Hours prayer book, once owned by Anne Boleyn, is currently on loan display at Hampton Court Palace until 30 October. Groups can see the book that features Anne’s signature and her personal inscriptions. Anne Boleyn’s Book of Hours been loaned to Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s ‘pleasure palace’, by Hever Castle in [...]
Stage set designs by Paul McCartney are going on display at the Liverpool Beatles Museum. The designs were commissioned by Beatles manager Brian Epstein as potential backdrops to a concert by The Four Tops at The Saville Theatre. The Liverpool Beatles Museum is revealing the designs on Thursday 27 May before opening viewing to the [...]
Chatham Historic Dockyard relaunched its popular Call The Midwife Official Location Tour and unveiled a brand new gallery at an event with the cast on 27 April. Many of the outside scenes from the BBC series are filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent. The new gallery hosts costumes and items from the popular [...]
Aylesbury’s Waddesdon Manor is presenting tours of the little seen, cultivated four-acre walled garden for groups of up to 30 people. Eythrope is the Rothschild's private walled garden at Waddesdon Manor, renowned for its gardening excellence and haven for traditional techniques. A visit to Eythrope includes a garden tour from one of Waddesdon’s specialist guides, [...]
Abba Voyage is lending the hand-made ‘Phoenix Collection’ outfits from the recent ‘virtual Abba’ show for public display at the British Music Experience. The display is part of the museum’s celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The Abba Voyage show features digital versions of the band members created with motion capture and performance techniques. [...]
See latest update here from Port of Dover in respect of Whitsun bank holiday arrangements CTA press release on 6 April in response to the delays at Dover in the Easter holidays: New measures aiming to reduce delays for coaches passing through Dover to Europe risk moving responsibility to coach operators, says the Coach Tourism [...]
Booking is now open for group visits to Waddesdon in 2023 with so much to discover throughout the year. In the formal gardens, over 50,000 tulips will bloom in spring before beautiful bedding inspired by the coronation is planted. In the House, fine art and incredible treasures await visitors who will also see some incredible [...]
Strathmore Hotels reports that The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate still has some availability for 2023. The hotel is set on four acres and nestles on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It is located five minutes from the centre of Harrogate and has ample free parking for coaches. There is a lift to all floors and [...]
CTA member Blenheim Palace would like to welcome CTA operator members for a complimentary day visit for two people at their convenience. Availability for the visit will be subject to availability avoiding some events and Christmas. If you would like to take up this offer, just email partnerships@blenheimpalace.com to get your tickets.
Woods Travel of Bognor Regis have issued a newsletter to its customers to highlight the fact that it remains independently-owned and run and has not been acquired by another business. The newsletter is in response to some customers getting an incorrect impression following a marketing campaign from a large operator that included a company with [...]
Roland Eglinton, managing director of CTA member Chalkwell Coaches is in training for the London Marathon in aid of Wellchild. The event takes place on 23 April and will involve around 40,000 other runners as it returns to its traditional April slot following Covid-related disruption. A keen runner in his spare time, Roland has completed [...]
Historic Royal Palaces has an array of incredible events and exhibitions this year across its sites. At the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels will be an integral part of the historic coronation of King Charles III. The Tower will continue to showcase these awe-inspiring objects and explore their stories in a permanent exhibition. And from [...]
Brend Hotels is restyling itself as the Brend Collection with a new website and updated social media channels. The rebrand highlights the collection of hotels, restaurants, bars and spas that the group now operates. “Our mission is to be the company of choice for guests, customers and talent,” says Brend Collection. “Whenever a customer is [...]
Matilda The Musical is the perfect musical for a group visit to London. The award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl is brought to life with original songs by Tim Minchin, and tells the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and [...]
Continuum Attractions is taking over one of Scotland’s most famous visitor attractions, The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, near Inverness, investing £1.5million into its refurbishment. Continuum, owners of attractions across the UK and with a 20-year heritage in Scotland, is taking a long lease of the iconic Highland tourism site with immediate plans to upgrade [...]
With a Vampire Squid (from hell), tales of a Kraken with tentacles 2 metres long and a scale-model of Boaty McBoatface, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is showcasing an exhibition that has been described as the most technically sophisticated and lavish sea monster-themed showcase ever produced. Curated by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall with the National [...]
Arena di Verona Opera Festival celebrates the event’s centenary at the 2023 season. For 100 years, the festival has offered an unprecedented programme with eight opera titles, four gala evenings and an extraordinary concert by the orchestra and choir of the Teatro alla Scala. The 100th Opera Season in the Arena will include repeat performances [...]
Our next CTA event will be our Spring Networking & AGM which takes place at the Imperial Hotel, Llandudno on 21-22 May 2023. CTA is delighted to confirm sponsors for the Llandudno event. Christmas in Birmingham is sponsoring the Networking Dinner on Sunday evening. And CTA Partner member Visit Wales is sponsoring the buyers' attendance [...]
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported a very successful CTA Conference & Workshop 2023 in Belfast. Many thanks to all the delegates who attended a great event in Belfast for our 2023 Conference. A packed schedule of Fam visits, Workshop and Conference sessions hopefully kept everyone informed, entertained and fully networked. We are [...]
British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 March, with 50 new exhibitors confirmed to enhance the group tourism sector's biggest annual event. More than 250 visitor attractions, hotels, venues and destinations will be exhibiting to inspire coach tour planners and group travel organisers with the best of Britain and Ireland. [...]
Caledonian Macbrayne reports that fares on the Clyde & Hebrides ferry network will be frozen for six months. Ticket prices will be held at current levels from April until the end of September to help people and businesses from Scotland’s remote rural and island communities. Caledonian Macbrayne operates 33 ferries to mainland and island ports [...]
Mersey Ferries has launched its full programme for the year ahead including a varied range of cruises for groups of all sizes. Manchester Ship Canal cruises offer a six-hour round-trip along the historic waterway. Cruises depart from either Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral or Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal (Pier Head). There is stunning industrial architecture [...]
Ambassador Cruise Line has opened registrations for a UK-wide ship visit programme for trade partners and agents. The initiative offers the opportunity to sample the ‘Ambassador experience’ on board either Ambience (currently in service) or Ambition (launching May 2023), at a port that is convenient. From 12 May 2023, Ambassador will sail from seven UK [...]
Been inside Anfield’s towering Main Stand? Then why not try outside – abseiling 100ft down from top to bottom in this brand new adrenaline filled adventure! Visitors and fans now have the chance to scale down the walls and experience Anfield Stadium from a completely different perspective and challenge themselves with The Anfield Abseil. Liverpool [...]
Strathmore Hotels has now committed itself further to transferring away from fossil fuels (gas mains and oil) as its main source of heat energy with consent being granted for a Biomass installation at the 100+ bedroom Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer. The Ben Wyvis Hotel joins the other seven hotels in the group which have [...]
Visit Flanders is organising a great Fam trip from 28 Feb to 2 March to showcase its themed year of ‘Landscape - Feel Flanders Fields’ which runs from April 2023 until August 2024. The trip will include some typical sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery, In Flanders Fields Museum, Talbot House and the Last Post [...]
Booking is now open for group visits to Waddesdon in 2023 with so much to discover throughout the year. In the formal gardens, more than 50,000 tulips will bloom in spring before beautiful bedding inspired by the coronation is planted. In the house, fine art and incredible treasures await and some incredible work by modern [...]
A new letter, written by Charles Dickens’ son, will soon be on display in Medway. Medway Council has confirmed that a letter written by the author’s first-born son, Charlie Dickens, has been donated to The Guildhall Museum in Rochester. The letter from the ‘Office of All the Year Round’ is dated 29 June 1870, the [...]
It's never too early to book a group visit with Tatton Park for Christmas. Whether you'd like to enjoy the festive decorations in the Mansion, take a stroll through the Winter Gardens, taste our delicious seasonal menus, or all of the above - Tatton Park is looking forward to welcoming your group for Christmas 2023. Every year [...]
Hever Castle & Gardens recorded its best ever visitor numbers in 2022 with a record breaking year. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn received 419,969 visitors last year, an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year. Visitors to the Castle were able to enjoy the first in a series of exhibitions detailing the [...]
The British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 22-23 March 2023. Visitors are promised an electric atmosphere of exhibitors and like-minded visitors looking to book group trips and tours in the British Isles for the year ahead and beyond. The show brings together exhibitors showcasing around 250 group-friendly attractions, venues, destinations [...]
Southport has announced its key event dates for next year including the Flower Show (17-20 August), Air Show (9-10 July), Food & Drink Festival (2-4 June), British Musical Fireworks Championship (22-24 September) and Southport Comedy Festival (29 September - 15 October). After a year away, The Food and Drink Festival returns to Victoria Park in September. This free event is a [...]
Parrys International is holding its popular open day this coming Sunday 15 January from 11am until 3pm. There will be the usual trade stands from the UK and Europe, as well as a German wine producer, members of Wolverhampton Speedway and the UK Coach Rally coach of the year will be on display. There will [...]
Visit Exeter's latest update highlights the newly-opened Quayside Distillery as the perfect place to learn the art of gin making. Situated on Exeter’s historic quayside, the site incorporates a modern distillery offering tours where groups can learn about innovative distillation methods and sample the spirits made onsite. The gin school also allows groups to create and make their [...]
Westminster Abbey’s Hidden Highlights Tour offers a chance to explore behind the scenes of the Abbey on a guided tour of some areas not usually open to the public. The 75-minute tour visit areas of the Abbey not normally open to the public and visitors will see the lost medieval sacristy which was recently revealed during one [...]
Encore’s latest update on shows for groups in London highlights Mrs Doubtfire, A’int Too Proud and Abba Voyage. Direct from a sensational run up in Manchester — where it played to sold-out crowds and standing ovations — the new comedy musical Mrs Doubtfire is ready to dazzle and delight the West End from 12 May 2023. [...]
We are very sad to report the death of Joan Johnson of CTA member Johnsons Quality Coach Travel. Joan’s sons John and Peter Johnson have written the following tribute to their mother Joan: "John & I would like to announce to you all that our Mum and our inspiration, Joan Johnson, died peacefully in her [...]
The CTA Winter Networking event in Bournemouth drew a record attendance with more than 120 delegates enjoying the destination and the great hospitality at the Marsham Court Hotel. [See the report and photos here.] Bournemouth and Poole Council helped us put the event together and marketing officer Sarah Lawrence sent the following message to thank [...]
VisitAberdeenshire’s latest travel trade news features updates on Castle Fraser and the dining experience at Maryculter House Hotel. One of the largest tower houses in Scotland, Castle Fraser can be found in Aberdeenshire near the market town of Inverurie. The core of the castle dates back to the 1400s, with later additions making the castle [...]
A new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery in London, a new private tour of Queen Mary's Dolls' House for groups and a private talk on the life of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle are among the latest updates from Royal Collection Trust. A digital version of its 2023 brochure is available here and to [...]
The QHotels Collection played a key role in our recent Fam trip to Kent and France by hosting a dinner at the Ashford International Hotel. QHotels’ Stacy Whittington has provided a copy of the groups rate card which provides ‘from rates’ as a guide for coach tour operators. stacy.whittington@theqhotelscollection.co.uk
