Complimentary admission to The Lost Gardens of Heligan for CTA Operator & guest 200 acres of garden history, mystery and romance Twenty-nine years ago, Heligan’s historic gardens were unknown and unseen; lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1. It was only the chance discovery of a door in the ruins that [...]
Complimentary admission to RHS Garden Wisley for CTA Member and guest RHS Garden Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society and is one of the world's greatest gardens, with one of the largest plant collections in the world and cultivated plants of national significance. It's 240acres are hugely diverse with a range [...]
Two Complimentary Distillery Tour tickets to any member (operator and supplier). To book, contact: Jane MacKay, Travel Trade Manager 01789 336559 jane@shakespearedistillery.com
Shakespeare's Globe is offering two complimentary tickets for the Globe Theatre Tour. Step inside this faithful recreation of William Shakespeare’s iconic Globe theatre. Imagine it as it would have been at the centre of London’s notorious Bankside entertainment district. Throughout the year our expert guides bring this extraordinary open-air theatre to life in a 40 [...]
Stuart Line Cruises is offering a Complimentary Cruise for 2 people. Sailing throughout the year, come rain or shine! Subject to availability - please call to check. Contact: Lauren Clark/Jake Stuart 01395 222144 www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Complimentary admission into Westminster Abbey for operator members and guest Westminster Abbey is one of the world’s greatest churches, with a history stretching back over a thousand years. The Abbey has been the Coronation church since 1066, and the setting for many other great events in the life of the nation, including sixteen royal weddings. [...]
CTA and the coaching world has lost another great friend with the passing of Alun Jones, Jones Motor Services of Flint. Alun was an active board director of CTA for many years and was universally known as a true gentleman who was always happy to chat and to help industry colleagues. Lorraine Jones and the [...]
The CTA AGM 2019 will take place on Sunday 16 June with an event that includes an overnight stay at the Clayton Hotel City of London and an evening cruise and dinner on board with Thames River Services. Please book as soon as possible and note deadline for receipt of bookings for the AGM event [...]
The Silverstone Experience will open its doors to the public on 9 July 2019, just days before the Formula 1 Rolex British Grand Prix 2019. The new visitor attraction offers motorsport fans an interactive 2.5 hour journey through the past, present and future of British motor racing. Sally Reynolds, CEO of the Silverstone Heritage Limited [...]
CTA members will have received a timely reminder from the Royal Horticultural Society about their forthcoming Sculpture Exhibition, in a personalised mailshot along with a complimentary packet of seeds! RHS Garden Wisley is launching an amazing new group booking opportunity between 30 May and 1 December 2019 with a Sculpture Exhibition including exhibits from Henry [...]
Devon-based CTA member Lifton Farm Shop has a new name and extended facilities and looks forward to welcoming more coach groups. Now re-named Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, the food destination is on the Devon and Cornwall border, just off the A30. “With a new name that takes us back to our roots, ‘Strawberry Fields’ is [...]
Cheshire’s Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich, owned by the Canal & River Trust, is hosting its seventh annual beer and cider festival between Friday 24 May and Sunday 26 May. In what promises to live up to the success of previous festivals, there will be twelve great beers from across the UK as well as [...]
CTA members were prominent among the winners at this year’s British Coach Tourism Awards which were presented during the British Tourism & Travel show this month. The awards ceremony, took place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham following the first day of the show. “Huge congratulations goes to all our winners in this year’s [...]
CTA members have the opportunity to take part at preferential rates in ETOA's City Fair, which follows the CTA AGM in London on Sunday 16 June. ETOA is inviting CTA Coach Operators with European Business to City Fair 2019, 16-18 April, the event for European cities, destinations and suppliers to showcase all of their tourism products [...]
DFDS is urging operators to book one of its Amsterdam mini cruise offers for Autumn/Winter 2019 and secure the dates you want. It points out some of the benefits operators and their customers can expect: Two nights onboard and up to five hours exploring the stunning Dutch capital. Fantastic onboard facilities, including bars, restaurants, a cinema, casino and [...]
With just over a month to go before the London Ultra-Low Emissions Zone comes into force, CPT is advising operators to use the TfL ULEZ checker to confirm their vehicles will be recognised and avoid any Penalty Charge Notices. Int points out that the default position is that all vehicles are deemed non-compliant, unless proved [...]
Preliminary 2018 figures from the International Passenger Survey show that inbound visitor numbers were down by 4 per cent last year while spending was down by £1.7billion (7 per cent). The IPS, produced by the Office for National Statistics, reports that while visitor numbers were down by 2-3 per cent for the main categories of [...]
With continuing uncertainty about any final Brexit resolution, the EU has released a Factsheet on travel to the EU for UK residents in the event of a No Deal Brexit. The EU advice says that UK nationals travelling to the EU will face extra border checks, with travellers asked for information including the duration and [...]
The Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton in North Yorkshire is launching a new £300,000 electric-powered restaurant boat to give groups the opportunity to experience the tranquillity and scenery of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The 60-foot long ‘Eco Swan’ is due to enter service later in the summer and can seat up to 60. It has [...]
Crieff Hydro is promoting its 2019 festive package at the Ballachulish Hotel which sits alongside the loch at the foot of Glencoe. The Ballachulish Christmas package includes four nights arriving on 23 December with DBB on the first night with arrival tea and cake; DBB on 24 December with a glass of sparkling wine, and [...]
In 2019, Leeds Castle will be celebrating its 900th anniversary with a series of new attractions and special events. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Leeds Castle has plenty for groups in 2019, from new adventure golf, gardens and a special carnival, to exploring the yew-tree maze and punting on the moat. [...]
MBNA Thames Clippers’ new Venus Clipper boat has entered the water for the first time at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes. The vessel is undergoing a series of system tests and sea trials, before making her way from the Isle of Wight to the River Thames. Once in London she will become the 19th [...]
Snow covered mountains, fairy-tale castles and Christmas markets are some of the seasonal treats in store for operators booking winter tours for 2019/20 in the UK and Europe with Albatross Travel. Its latest Winter Tour itineraries for coach operators and group organisers include Switzerland, The Tyrol and Germany’s Bavarian Forest, as well as German Christmas [...]
Strathmore Hotels is promoting its festive offers for November and December with a promise that your group will have a holiday not to forget with festive cheer, dancing and singing and plenty to do and see at each hotel. Turkey & Tinsel packages are available from £35 for four nights at Cumbria Grand Hotel, Lake [...]
The 2019 CTA Conference & Workshop, hosted by Hallmark Cambridge, included a lively ‘Question Time’ panel on Low Emission Zones, presentations on Brexit, ‘Overtourism’ and Social Media, and the ever-popular Workshop which comprised more than 650 individual appointments between operator and supplier members. See a short video of the Conference presentations here ... Around 150 [...]
Following a presentation at CTA’s 2018 Conference by Silver Travel Advisor’s Debbie Marshall, CTA agreed to support the annual survey carried out on behalf of the mature travellers’ review website in order to get some further insight into coach tour passengers’ perceptions and experiences. The 2019 Silver Travel Advisor Survey provides a very interesting snapshot [...]
CTA members are invited to register now for Visit Scotland Expo and express interest in a number of exciting Fam trips being organised around the event. VisitScotland Expo takes place on 10-11 April 2019 at SEC Glasgow. You can register as a buyer here Qualified buyers (product/contracting managers) can pre-schedule appointments with over 250 exhibitors [...]
CTA member Stuart Render Tourism, working in partnership with Backwaters Tours, the Somme Tourist Board and its regional partners, is offering CTA coach operator members the opportunity to discover the Amiens and Somme region of northern France on a fam trip that takes place from Thursday 4 April to Saturday 6 April. The invitation is [...]
We are delighted to confirm a special Drinks Reception for CTA members and potential members to be held on the afternoon of the opening day of the British Tourism and Travel Show. The reception will be in the Club Lounge in Hall 8 at the NEC at 3pm on Wed 20 March. If you haven't [...]
Action by ‘honeypot’ destinations to reduce their visitor numbers was dismissed by the European Tourism Association chief at the Coach Tourism Association’s 2019 conference in Cambridge. ETOA CEO Tom Jenkins told delegates: “Cities are meant to be crowded and having lots of visitors is a sign of their success. Overtourism is a phenomenon which only [...]
The CTA Conference kicks off with a Fam trip to Cambridge to enjoy the Classic Cambridge Walking Tour, kindly arranged by Visit Cambridge. If you have already registered for the Conference, just book a place on the Fam trip via this link If you haven't booked for the Conference & Workshop yet, here's the link [...]
THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE GOLF COURSE at the Hallmark Cambridge hotel is a 6,750-yard, 18-hole, par 72 course offering a wonderful challenge and a beautiful environment in which to relax and enjoy your game. For delegates to the CTA Conference & Workshop, there is a special rate available and a tee-off of 9-holes is planned for 13.00 [...]
The Coach Tourism Association has appointed Helen Bowron to the new position of Communications Director. Helen has extensive experience of the group travel industry, dating back to 1984, including working with an inbound ground handler, a Japanese wholesaler, scheduled American Tour Operator and a wide range of online intermediaries. Helen will continue as a director [...]
The Coach Tourism Association has appointed Helen Bowron to the new position of Communications Director. Helen has extensive experience of the group travel industry, dating back to 1984, including working with an inbound ground handler, a Japanese wholesaler, scheduled American Tour Operator and a wide range of online intermediaries. Helen will continue as a director [...]
Bookings are coming in fast for the 2019 CTA Conference & Workshop which takes place at Hallmark Hotel Cambridge, 24-26 February. Our latest speaker to be confirmed is Justine Perry, MD of Cariad Marketing, who was named Business Person of the Year 2018 in the SME National Awards. Justine will present on Social Media and provide [...]
Jane Duffelen has asked us to thank all those who have remembered Chris Wales: “On behalf of Chris’ family and I, please thank everyone who posted so many lovely comments and to those who so kindly sent cards and letters, all of which gave us some comfort at an incredibly sad time. “We’d also like [...]
DFDS is holding a very special fam trip this April to experience a mini cruise to Holland and a visit to Keukenhof. From 2 to 4 April 2019, DFDS Trade Sales Team will be showcasing the Mini Cruise Product from Newcastle to Amsterdam, taking in a visit to the wonderful “Keukenhof” whilst in Holland. DFDS will provide [...]
This year’s British Tourism & Travel Show features more than 41 new exhibitors among a total of more than 270 who will be ready to present their best coach group offers at the NEC on 20-21 March 2019. The show organisers have also confirmed that journalist, broadcaster and travel commentator Simon Calder will headline the speaker [...]
CTA members are invited to attend the premier business-to-business travel trade event, VisitScotland Expo 2019, to be held at the SEC, Glasgow on 10-11 April. A combination of pre-scheduled appointments alongside the trade show provides an ideal platform for operators to develop their Scotland product, and an opportunity to meet with more than 250 Scottish [...]
Located just 15 minutes from the M6 near Penrith in a stunning Lake District setting, Lowther Castle and Gardens has launched new tour experiences targeted specially for coach groups as well as providing exclusive access to a refurbished indoor Sculpture Gallery overlooking the ancient Gardens in April 2019. The Gothic ruins reveal themselves as visitors [...]
New guided group tour of Rothschild Walled Garden at Eythrope A new 2019 feature for coach groups visiting Waddesdon Estate is a guided tour of the private Rothschild walled garden at Eythrope. The four-acre garden, including glasshouses and an orchard, supplies vegetables, fruit, herbs and cut flowers for the Rothschild family as well as Waddesdon’s [...]
Edwards Coaches has rebranded its school tours operation from École School Tours to Edwards Education and Youth Tours and aims to widen its product portfolio with bespoke tours for schools, youth organisations and sports teams. A new website will be launched in March. The rebrand follows market research which showed that the Edwards brand had [...]
Kent’s visitor economy has increased by 7 per cent and topped £3.8billion for the first time, after welcoming a record 65 million visitors in 2017. Research commissioned by Visit Kent shows that there were 64,970,000 to the county which is the third most-visited destination outside of London for foreign visitors. Overnight visits from overseas to [...]
Over 20,000 more tulip bulbs have been planted at Hever Castle in preparation for its third Tulip Celebrations event from 24 to 30 April 2019. Bulb master and holder of 25 Chelsea gold medals, Johnny Walkers has helped to select the tulip varieties at Hever for 2019, with the aim of extending the flowering season [...]
Board changes give new impetus at Blackpool Conference The Coach Tourism Association, UK voice of coaching holidays, has embarked on a new era following the election of a new chairman and board members at its 2018 Conference. As previous chairman Denise Bridges stepped down after three years, the role was taken over by John Wales [...]
