Sunshine networking at CTA Summer BBQ in Brighton

CTA members enjoyed fabulous sunshine for their annual summer networking event, held in Brighton on Sunday 28 July. The event, which included a reception at the Old Ship Hotel, courtesy of the hotel and Visit Brighton, before a ‘ride’ on the British Airways i360 and a BBQ, attracted almost 100 delegates. On the following morning, [...]

Sunshine networking at CTA Summer BBQ in Brighton2019-08-01T18:53:53+00:00

Join us for CTA Fam Trip – ‘Devon Unlocked’

Devon’s Top Attractions and the CTA have created a fabulous three-night, four-day Devon familiarisation opportunity, exclusive to CTA members on 27-30 October 2019. We have a limited number of places available on the 'Devon Unlocked' FAM trip for CTA coach operator and wholesaler members - so please book early, don't delay! The Fam trip is [...]

Join us for CTA Fam Trip – ‘Devon Unlocked’2019-10-01T15:32:12+00:00

New group tours at Aerospace Bristol

CTA member Aerospace Bristol has launched two new tours for groups in 2020. The Concorde Tour gives groups the chance to learn about the supersonic superstar that is Concorde, just across the runway from where all British Concordes were built. As they walk around the last Concorde to be built and the last to fly, [...]

New group tours at Aerospace Bristol2019-09-02T13:26:55+00:00

Coach Tours UK invites operators to free event in Norfolk

Coach Tours UK magazine, which has just joined CTA as a member, is organising a free event for coach operators and GTOs in a visit to North Norfolk. Working with Creative Tourism Ideas & Solutions, Coach Tours UK Magazine is inviting all coach operators and GTOs to attend this FREE Day event at The Cliftonville [...]

Coach Tours UK invites operators to free event in Norfolk2019-09-02T13:16:40+00:00

Antwerp coach parking alert

Visit Flanders has alerted us about some events that are taking place in Antwerp in the coming months that will impact on the availability and location of coach parking in the city. During the following times, the usual coach parking will be closed and drivers will be directed to alternative facilities at Gerlachekaai, Antwerp. There [...]

Antwerp coach parking alert2019-08-01T15:44:37+00:00

Recent travel firm failure highlights trust account operation, says Towergate

Recent travel firm failure highlights trust account operation, says Towergate Following the sad news of a south coast operator’s sudden and unexpected closure, CTA partner Towergate Travel is reminding operators about the changes to trust accounts which were included in the last year’s new Package Travel Directive. The new regulations continue to allow third party-administered [...]

Recent travel firm failure highlights trust account operation, says Towergate2019-07-10T15:53:19+00:00

Join Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Festive dinner at Tilbury

New CTA member Cruise and Maritime Voyages is offering CTA operator members the opportunity to join its groups department to celebrate Christmas at a Festive Dinner and overnight event in London Tilbury on Thursday 19 December 2019. The event is a great opportunity to step aboard Columbus, to view the facilities and cabins, sample the [...]

Join Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Festive dinner at Tilbury2019-09-02T13:16:04+00:00

New business-to-business digital platform for English tourism suppliers

VisitEngland has launched a new business-to-business digital platform designed to enable tourism suppliers to connect with multiple international distributors. Tourism Exchange Great Britain is a one-stop shop for English tourism suppliers including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and experiences, to link to distributors with international reach who can sell their products overseas. “TXGB will drive bookings [...]

New business-to-business digital platform for English tourism suppliers2019-07-11T07:58:20+00:00

AGM on the Thames proves a big hit

A beautiful summer evening with a dinner cruise on the Thames in great company with CTA colleagues, what could be better? The 2019 AGM took place on board the MV Mercia, courtesy of CTA member Thames River Services, who put on a lovely evening dinner cruise which was enjoyed by more than 60 delegates. The [...]

AGM on the Thames proves a big hit2019-06-20T09:04:40+00:00

Brushing up on Package Travel Regulations

CTA tour operator members will be aware that last year saw the introduction of updated regulations on package travel protection with the new Package Travel & Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations coming into force on 1 July 2018. The updated regulations identify the three routes for providing insolvency protection to customers: Bonding through an approved body, such [...]

Brushing up on Package Travel Regulations2019-06-20T08:46:42+00:00

Delayed opening for The Silverstone Experience

Silverstone has announced that Shaylor Group, the main building contractor for The Silverstone Experience, has gone into administration. The Silverstone Experience stresses that the project will still go ahead but this development will inevitably cause some delay to the public opening date. All those who have already booked tickets have been contacted directly and a [...]

Delayed opening for The Silverstone Experience2019-06-20T08:41:26+00:00

Towergate Travel signs exclusive agreement with merchant facility providers

CTA partner Towergate Travel reports that its “TRIP” financial failure insurance has been approved and recognised by a number of merchant facility providers, including Worldpay, First Data, Trustpay Global & Barclays Merchant Services. Towergate says that the new agreement means the days of merchant facility providers holding cash guarantees or other forms of security are [...]

Towergate Travel signs exclusive agreement with merchant facility providers2019-06-20T08:39:34+00:00

Special structure protects Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House

An innovative conservation scheme has been unveiled by the National Trust for Scotland to protect Hill House in Helensburgh, which is considered to be the finest example of domestic architecture by Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and a major landmark within the history of architecture. The Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie commissioned Mackintosh to design the house [...]

Special structure protects Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House2019-06-20T08:38:34+00:00

Enjoy wine heaven at Waddesdon

A new wine shop at Waddesdon Manor offers the most comprehensive range of Rothschild wines in the UK and a perfect environment to taste rare Grand Cru wines by the glass. There are 126 Rothschild wines on offer, and a further 50 hand-picked guest wines. As a result of its prestige and global appeal, the [...]

Enjoy wine heaven at Waddesdon2019-06-20T08:37:39+00:00

New audio guide for Cutty Sark

A new audio guide at Cutty Sark is designed to enhance the visitor experience by bringing the story of the ship to life. The guide is currently available in English, other languages being introduced from the summer including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and Russian. The audio guide is included in [...]

New audio guide for Cutty Sark2019-06-20T08:36:41+00:00

Summer coastal offers from Hospitality Line

CTA member Hospitality Line has launched summer group rates for its On the Coast product including The Mary Rose Museum, Spinnaker Tower & 2 Course Lunch at Café Rouge, Portsmouth, and British Airways i360, Brighton Pavilion & 2 Course Lunch at The King and Queen, Brighton. The attraction visits and meals are designed to show [...]

Summer coastal offers from Hospitality Line2019-06-20T08:35:06+00:00

Book now for CTA’s Summer BBQ in Brighton

There is still time to book for the CTA Summer BBQ which takes place in Brighton on Sunday 28 July, followed by a Visit Scotland workshop on the Monday morning. We are staying at the beautiful Old Ship Hotel on the seafront with a drinks reception at 5pm sponsored very generously by Visit Brighton. Then [...]

Book now for CTA’s Summer BBQ in Brighton2019-06-13T10:44:22+00:00

New tour ideas highlighted by Visit Scotland

Visit Scotland’s latest travel trade bulletin includes information on a number of events and attractions including the forthcoming Solheim Cup, the biggest event in women’s golf, which takes place at  PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, Perthshire from 9 – 15 September 2019, fascinating whisky tour opportunities at The Spirit of Ardnahoe on Islay, and Glencoe’s [...]

New tour ideas highlighted by Visit Scotland2019-06-13T10:45:01+00:00

CTA member donations fund new oncology equipment in memory of Chris Wales

Jane Duffelen has sent this message to CTA members in respect of the amount raised at the CTA Conference in memory of Chris Wales. “Thank you all for your patience whilst I waited for the final donation to arrive - a staggering £3,275 raised at the CTA's annual conference, which brought the final total to [...]

CTA member donations fund new oncology equipment in memory of Chris Wales2019-06-13T11:07:53+00:00

New Summer in Kent campaign kicks off

Visit Kent have launched their brand new #SummerInKent 2019 campaign, along with three exciting campaign videos. Inviting Londoners, commuters, tourists and residents across the South East to discover more of the Garden of England, the digital marketing campaign will be published online across a range of publications (including the Metro, Time Out, and The Guardian), as [...]

New Summer in Kent campaign kicks off2019-06-13T15:26:44+00:00

RHS gardens aglow for group visits

RHS Gardens are offering dedicated packages for groups including the impressive festive ‘Glow Illuminations’, special winter walking tours and festive feasting options, to enable visitors to enjoy the best of the winter season with a group visit to one of the four RHS Gardens in the lead up to Christmas. Groups can get the best [...]

RHS gardens aglow for group visits2019-06-13T10:26:32+00:00

Fam Trip to Emmerdale Studio

Continuum Attractions is running a Fam trip for coach operators at Emmerdale Studio Experience later this month and has some places remaining which will be of interest to CTA members. The event is on Saturday 22 June at 10:20 am at Emmerdale Studio Experience on Burley Road in Leeds and offers a chance to experience [...]

Fam Trip to Emmerdale Studio2019-06-13T10:42:11+00:00

Summer events at Borde Hill Garden

CTA member Borde Hill Garden in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, is gearing up for a summer of entertainment including hosting the Sussex Festival of Gin and performances of Open-Air Opera - all set within the Estate’s bloom-filled gardens. The Estate hosts the Sussex Gin Festival on Saturday 13 July in the South Park. Sussex is [...]

Summer events at Borde Hill Garden2019-06-13T10:50:14+00:00

New Manchester ‘Secrets of the City’ tour from Greatdays

Greatdays has launched a new ‘Secrets of the City’ bus tour to celebrate Manchester’s innovative spirit and reveal stories about the city and its people. The 90-minute tour features a live commentary delivered by Blue Badge Tourist Guides and passengers will hear more than 100 unusual facts and quirky tales about Manchester’s buildings, heritage, transport, [...]

New Manchester ‘Secrets of the City’ tour from Greatdays2019-06-13T10:21:57+00:00

200th birthday celebrations at Osborne

A statue of Prince Albert as a Greek warrior and a painting of bathing maidens are just a few of the extravagant gifts exchanged between Queen Victoria and her husband now on display at Osborne on the Isle of Wight. English Heritage is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the births of the royal couple this [...]

200th birthday celebrations at Osborne2019-06-13T10:51:40+00:00

Windermere Lake Cruises sign contract for new 300-seat boat

Windermere Lake Cruises, which has recently joined CTA, is making a multi-million pound investment in a brand-new 300-seat boat to add to its existing fleet. MV ‘Swift’ is expected to be in service from the mid 2020 season, making it the largest craft to be ‘launched’ on to Windermere for more than 80 years. The [...]

Windermere Lake Cruises sign contract for new 300-seat boat2019-06-13T10:52:23+00:00

Book now for CTA AGM Event in London – don’t delay

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 [...]

Book now for CTA AGM Event in London – don’t delay2019-05-03T10:25:41+00:00

July 2019 opening date confirmed for The Silverstone Experience

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 [...]

July 2019 opening date confirmed for The Silverstone Experience2019-05-03T10:20:28+00:00

New RHS Wisley Sculpture exhibition

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 [...]

New RHS Wisley Sculpture exhibition2019-05-03T10:20:56+00:00

Strawberry Fields rebrand for Lifton Farm Shop

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 [...]

Strawberry Fields rebrand for Lifton Farm Shop2019-05-03T10:17:59+00:00

Seventh beer and cider festival at Anderton Boat Lift

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 [...]

Seventh beer and cider festival at Anderton Boat Lift2019-05-03T10:17:12+00:00

Albatross Winter Wonderlands for 2019/20

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 [...]

Albatross Winter Wonderlands for 2019/202019-03-28T11:05:56+00:00

Chris Wales: Remembering the ‘boy from Basildon’

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 [...]

Chris Wales: Remembering the ‘boy from Basildon’2019-01-24T15:08:42+00:00

Edwards rebrands school tours operation

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 [...]

Edwards rebrands school tours operation2019-01-24T11:46:55+00:00

Kent’s tourism visitor numbers rise to 65 million

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 [...]

Kent’s tourism visitor numbers rise to 65 million2019-01-24T11:44:50+00:00
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