The UK coach tourism industry’s biggest annual event, The CTA Conference & Workshop, will take place next year in Stratford-upon-Avon. Held from 9-11 February 2025, Shakespeare’s town and the surrounding area will host a variety of engaging fam trips to boost operator product and supplier bookings. The event will also include the Meet the Buyer [...]
The Dramatic Heart of Wales, the tourism team at Neath Port Talbot Council, has launched group travel itineraries designed to present new options for groups. With suggestions for group hotels, coach parking, group-friendly activities and attractions, the itineraries can be tailored to suit group sizes and preferences while showcasing the wonders of the Dramatic Heart [...]
Loving Welsh Food is partnering with The Welsh House in Cardiff as the new venue for this year’s Taste of Wales evenings. The Welsh House is an independent regional restaurant and bar showcasing the very best food and drink from within Wales, and Taste of Wales evenings can be tailored for groups on request. Events [...]
Kynren, the multi-award-winning outdoor live theatre event taking place in Bishop Auckland throughout the summer, from 27 July to 14 September, has added a new dining package, as well as new travel by coach information. Kynren’s exclusive dining package offers visitors the chance to enjoy a three-course meal in the spectacular Arches Hall, while pre-dinner [...]
Wicked, the West End stage musical phenomenon that tells the story of the Witches of Oz, has become the 10th longest-running West End show in British history. Wicked surpasses the run of the legendary farce, No Sex Please, We’re British, which ran from June 1971 until September 1987, playing a total 6,761 performances. The musical, [...]
Sapphire Group Solutions, specialising in providing accommodation for tour operators and group organisers, is promoting group offers for a number of UK events this year. The wholesale accommodation provider has 2024 offers remaining for the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as sporting events including the British Grand Prix. Sapphire is also supporting group accommodation needs [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry has been recognised for making heritage more accessible at a ceremony celebrating the region’s tourism industry. Operated by No Ordinary Hospitality, the venue has been given the Silver award in the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism category at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2024, held at the Bear Grylls Adventure, National [...]
The Nethybridge Hotel in Speyside, near Inverness, has opened group bookings for its 2024 Turkey & Tinsel events. Part of Strathmore Hotels, the Nethybridge Hotel is offering four-night and three-night group breaks in November. Providing an atmospheric Highland setting for the festive period, the hotel presents great surrounding views and is well situated to explore [...]
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has provided an update on its expanding range of flower shows taking place, helping operators schedule up to 2027. After this summer’s 25th anniversary show, the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park will be back every three years, returning in 2027 to celebrate gardening in the North West. Still in the [...]
Coach operators and group organisers looking to arrange a trip to a National Trust property or location should visit the organisation’s website groups page, comprising full information to help plan the day. The National Trust looks after over 500 special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, from the stones of the Giant’s Causeway, to [...]
Visit Isle of Man has launched a new campaign to encourage bookings to the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races and inspire visitors to explore the Island beyond the racing. The campaign, ‘The Isle of Man, There’s More to iTT’, is a collaborative effort between Visit Isle of Man and the Department for Enterprise Motorsport [...]
Raby Castle has secured a silver award at the Green Tourism awards in recognition of its commitment to sustainability. The Green Tourism awards are acknowledged as an indicator of good environmentally friendly practice. Raby Castle submitted evidence across criteria including investments in renewable energy at The Rising scheme, which include the Geothermal Heating Network. The [...]
This summer, groups are being offered after-hours access for guided tours to the medieval Duke Humfrey’s library at Oxford’s famous Bodleian Library. Tour guides will also guide groups through underground tunnels and reading rooms, into the iconic Oxford landmark, the Radcliffe Camera. Until 1 June, groups have priority booking before sales open to the public, [...]
Offering cinematic beauty, off-the-beaten-track experiences, and beautiful coastal scenery, the Wild Atlantic Way has been one of the island of Ireland’s most successful tourism stories. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the world’s longest-defined coastal touring route. The Wild Atlantic Way is an internationally acclaimed waymarked road trip, stretching 2,500 kilometres along the contours [...]
Caffi Cyfle at Alyn Waters Country Park, located close to Wrexham, is keen to attract coach groups for light refreshments and stop-offs. Offering an ideal outdoor break on a tour of Wrexham and North Wales, Caffi Cyfle, just three miles from Wrexham, can provide refreshments tailored to budget that can be eaten in or pre-boxed [...]
Manchester City has marked an important phase in the development of the Etihad Stadium expansion with the arrival and installation of the first steels in recent weeks. The £300million project, which will increase the stadium’s capacity to over 60,000 during the 2025/26 season, is now starting to take shape with the initial steel framework in [...]
Excursions is welcoming back group travel organisers and travel trade operators to Wembley Stadium for 2025 on Saturday 1 February and is providing a discount for early-booking exhibitors. Booking now, exhibitors benefit from a 10% Early Bird discount, and also ensure their preferred location in Wembley’s Great Hall. Early booking is available until 31 July. [...]
VisitAberdeenshire is presenting product and itinerary suggestions on agricultural tourism, or agritourism, specifically aimed at the groups market. From Highland cattle to Clydesdale horses, sheepdogs to berry picking, Aberdeenshire has both modern and historical approaches to farming. This culture can be discovered through the county’s presentation of agritourism. Details on all of Aberdeen’s agritourism offerings [...]
English Heritage has provided arrangements for coach groups travelling to the Stonehenge Summer Solstice, taking place on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2024. Commercial vehicles requiring access during Summer Solstice must pre-book via the Travel Trade Team at traveltrade@english-heritage.org.uk by Wednesday 22 May 2024 to apply for Solstice access and parking. Entry to the [...]
Bookings are now live for the CTA Spring Networking event which takes place on 19-20 May in Oxford. We are based at the Holiday Inn Oxford and the event includes Fam trips to Bodleian Libraries and Blenheim Palace, including a Blue Badge Guide tour courtesy of Roger Bailey. Blenheim has a host of events this [...]
CTA members are encouraged to attend the CTA Spring Networking event in Oxford on 19-20 May which promises to be a great opportunity for operators to develop business by enhancing their day trip and tour programmes, and for operators to present their latest news and innovations. The event includes CTA’s AGM, followed by a business [...]
CTA exhibited at VisitScotland Connect last week in Aberdeen, Scotland’s flagship travel trade event. The workshop-style travel trade event took place at the city’s P&J Live arena on 17 and 18 April. More than 250 domestic and international tour operators and travel advisors, representing 23 countries and global markets including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, [...]
CTA member, Jason Edwards, of Jason Edwards Travel, as well as CTA Chair, Robert Shaw, were interviewed by ITV Wales and included on recent news coverage. ITV Wales made the interviews as part of a news story on the importance of coaches to the tourism economy, as well as the advantages of travel by coach. [...]
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, is presenting four unforgettable nights of concerts, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 July, with its Music At The Manor performances. Group bookings are now open to hear hit music from some of Britain's top tribute artists. The lineup includes: Thursday 11 July - Bootleg Beatles supported by Le Freak, Friday 12 [...]
English Heritage advises visitors to Stonehenge this spring and summer that the A360 faces a temporary road closure. The works form part of the A303 Stonehenge (Amesbury to Berwick Down) scheme, with preliminary works scheduled to take place which involve temporarily closing the A360. Please see this link for further information regarding the temporary closure [...]
Shakespeare Distillery's Gin School has been named Experience of the Year in the West Midlands Tourism Awards. The independent artisan spirit producer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, picked up the gold award at a ceremony on 20 March at Bear Grylls Adventure in Solihull. As a gold winner, Shakespeare Distillery will automatically be entered into the national [...]
Discover Durham is presenting outdoor attractions for groups this spring and summer, from hidden gardens in the heart of the city, to group-friendly outdoor attractions and countryside parks. In Durham City, visitors can stroll along the city’s riverbanks and see Durham Castle and Cathedral, as well as Durham University Botanic Garden. Groups can also visit [...]
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is presenting the exhibition Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians. The display charts the Georgians’ style story with paintings, prints, and drawings by artists including Gainsborough, Zoffany, and Hogarth, as well as luxurious textiles, sparkling jewellery, and a range of accessories from snuff boxes to swords. The exhibition reveals how the [...]
Historic Royal Palaces is presenting a range of updates for group visitors across 2024. The Orangery at Kensington Palace, now re-opened to visitors, was once a party house for Queen Anne. Groups can experience this unique building and its displays, including intricate carvings, while enjoying afternoon tea, or relax outside in the newly created terrace. [...]
Oxford Castle & Prison, which provides guided visits of the city’s iconic building, is also presenting Murder Mystery evenings and is welcoming groups to participate. The Murder Mystery is set around the Castle & Prison historic site, involving the atmospheric Norman crypt, Victorian D-wing cells, and eighteenth-century Debtor’s Tower. Costumed actors engage with the group, [...]
Kynren, the dramatic live performance that takes a trip through Britain’s history, is set to include a rare breed of horse as a new cast member. Knutsford Cosmopolitan, a majestic grey shire horse known as Cosmo to his friends, has been welcomed at 11Arches, the organisation behind Kynren, as he joins the equine team. Cosmo [...]
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is open for 2024 and the attraction is looking forward to welcoming groups to experience a great day out. Alongside its daily services, the railway has a full calendar of events, as well as the launch of an exciting new film trail this summer. Key upcoming events include the Spring, [...]
Visit Essex is keen to welcome coach groups in 2024 and beyond, and has packaged a range of attractions and destinations that celebrate the best of coast, countryside, and heritage cities and towns. Essex offers a 350-mile coastline, and coach groups can discover seaside towns such as Southend-on-Sea, home to the longest pier in the [...]
The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall is welcoming groups this Spring as well as looking ahead to events later in the year. Mindful of coach operator requirements, the impressive garden attraction near Mevagissey is also ready to help plan product for next year’s brochures. This month, the National Collection of Heligan’s Camellias and Rhododendrons [...]
Visit Isle of Man has welcomed Claire McColgan of Liverpool City Council to the organisation’s Non-Executive Board. Claire’s expansive background in destination making will assist in shaping the Visit Isle of Man Visitor Economy Strategy. Claire is Director of Culture and Major Events at Liverpool City Council and is responsible for Culture Liverpool, Marketing Liverpool, [...]
Visit Aberdeenshire is promoting Garioch Heritage Centre to groups, combined with fine group accommodation in Aberdeen. Garioch Heritage Centre showcases an architecturally acclaimed conversion of a former industrial building, originally part of the Inverurie Locomotive Works, which played a key role in the social and economic development of the area. Groups can explore the history [...]
Marriott is offering CTA coach operator members deals at its hotels across the UK. Many hotels within the Marriott brand are participating, so CTA members are advised to contact their prospective hotel directly. A selection of participating hotels and offers include Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County. Through to April 2025, the hotel is [...]
To celebrate its largest exhibition to date, Icons of British Fashion, Blenheim Palace has launched a fashionista-themed afternoon tea, and has enhanced its retail offering with a range of special edition gifts and merchandise. Visitors can start their Icons of British Fashion journey in the newly renovated Orangery at Blenheim Palace and enjoy savouries and [...]
Criterion Hospitality presents six London hotels with offers for groups at locations throughout the city close to the major tourist attractions. The hotels can offer multi-bedded room types, accommodating up to 12 people, and can also provide meeting space as well as group meals, including lunch and dinner. The hotels can also provide theatre ticket [...]
The Silverstone Museum, located trackside at one of the world’s best-known motorsport circuits, is welcoming groups for 2024 and beyond. The site houses a large collection of iconic race cars and motorbikes, and Silverstone Museum is also home to the British Racing Drivers’ Club archive collection. With interactive appeal for visitors of all ages, the [...]
St. Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry, is presenting a special Guildhall Ghost Stories Tour event this autumn. On October 21 and 22, the historic location is inviting groups to embark on a captivating journey to hear tales of paranormal phenomena and captivating folklore within the atmospheric building. Walking in the footsteps of historical figures such as Mary [...]
On Saturday 6 July the spectacular Battle Proms Picnic Concert brings a summer celebration of uplifting music from the New English Concert Orchestra, plus breath-taking aerial and pyrotechnic displays for their nineteenth annual performance at Blenheim Palace. The musical delights start in the afternoon with the harmonies of the Battle Proms Belles warming up the [...]
Newly-joined CTA member CN Live Productions, is promoting The Great Big Christmas Show at Bedworth Civic Hall on 7 December 2024. The show is a professional variety production featuring an amazing mixture of talented performers and acts that will blow you away and get you nicely into the festive spirit. The Great Big Christmas Show [...]
CTA is very sad to report that Janet Scutt of Viewfinder Tours died on Saturday 23 March 2024 after a short illness. Janet's husband Michael says that her passing was very quick and unexpected as she had been diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer only on 1 March and had been having chemotherapy. Michael Scutt [...]
Join CTA at BTTS as we host a networking event on the show’s opening day, Wednesday 20 March, at Birmingham’s NEC. The CTA drinks reception starts at 1500hrs on the opening afternoon of BTTS within the main hall. Complimentary refreshments will be provided to CTA members. CTA is a BTTS Partner and has a stand [...]
Over 40 CTA operator and wholesaler members participated on the CTA Paris Fam Trip, courtesy of CroisiEurope. The group discovered the opportunities of the CroisiEurope fleet, including several vessels, as well as the locations, itineraries, accommodation, and food and drink on offer to groups. CTA members were also guided on a tour of Paris, experiencing [...]
Edwards, based in Llantrisant, South Wales, has launched a coach hire booking portal to increase the ease and speed of travel arrangements for group organisers. The new My Coach Manager portal from Edwards is accessed after a booking has been made. The new portal enables customers to conveniently handle all their coach bookings and requests [...]
Visit Isle of Man has announced that it saw a positive surge in figures achieved in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the resurgence of travel and tourism. In 2023, Visit Isle of Man recorded that the Island welcomed 318,000 visitors who contributed £183.2m revenue in visitor spend, exceeding targets by 18,000 and £21.8m respectively. [...]
The museum dedicated to the life and works of the city’s most famous band have put the ‘acorns for peace’ on display - with a remarkable backstory. Yoko Ono recounted how, on 15 June 1968, along with John Lennon, the couple planted two acorns for peace at Coventry Cathedral - the first of many Peace [...]
Blenheim Palace is marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill. The estate is celebrating his extraordinary life with an exciting line-up of events including weekly Churchill at Blenheim tours, VIP tours of the Palace State Rooms, Churchill exhibition and Private Apartments, as well as a tour to Churchill’s grave. Churchill at Blenheim [...]
