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, [...]
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: [...]
TTG Encore has launched group tickets for The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, that will strut into London’s Dominion Theatre from October 2024. The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger's best-selling 2003 novel and 2006 blockbuster film from Twentieth Century Studios. Featuring an original score by [...]
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway has launched guided tours of its 200-year old Boston Lodge Engineering Works, the oldest continually operating railway engineering works in the world. Groups can learn about the people involved in the works and the railway, as well as the locomotives and carriages that have been built and held at Boston Lodge. [...]
The Tudor World, a new, permanent exhibition at Hampton Court Palace, has now opened, exploring the story of the Tudor royal dynasty. Set within the oldest palace rooms, the Wolsey Rooms, the exhibition is told through rare and important 16th-century artwork and historic objects, as well as interactive displays. The Tudor World will explore the [...]
Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth has announced a Twixmas offer from 27–30 December 2024. The late availability includes three nights’ accommodation including tea & coffee on arrival, a three-course table d'hote menu each evening, full English buffet breakfast, evening entertainment in the bar on one night (subject to numbers), coach parking on site, porterage, plus [...]
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is providing coach group offers, including tours of the castle and grounds with bespoke packages available. The site, situated less than a mile off the A1 between Newcastle and Edinburgh, is one of the largest inhabited castles in England and has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, [...]
Blenheim Palace has announced the introduction of exclusive offers for groups visiting during off-peak dates between 6 January and 31 March 2025. 2025 prices for group visits start from £39 for a Palace, Park and Gardens adult ticket for groups of 15+, including free admission for a group leader. The rate includes all-day coach parking, [...]
Cumbria’s Westmorland & Furness region of The Lake District has announced a range of new attractions, including the world speed record Bluebird K7, as well as the reopening of Barrow’s refurbished Dock Museum. Donald Campbell's iconic hydroplane, the Bluebird K7, in which he set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1964, has returned [...]
Forth Boat Tours, one of Edinburgh’s leading attractions, has partnered with Rosebank Distillery, Scotland’s newest distillery, located in Falkirk, to create a new river cruise and distillery experience. With travel trade rates available for coach groups up to a maximum of 44 people, the ticket includes a guided tour of Rosebank Distillery and tutored tasting [...]
The Delta Hotels by Marriott St Pierre Country Club in Chepstow has announced its relaunch following an extensive refurbishment. The historic fourteenth-century manor includes 148 guestrooms, with a range of kings, twins, and suites. The updated hotel is a great location for groups to explore The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, and South Wales. St [...]
The Real Mary King’s Close, a five-star heritage visitor attraction in Edinburgh, says it has celebrated its best summer season ever, welcoming over 93,000 guests from around the globe. The Royal Mile attraction, operated by Continuum Attractions, has also celebrated being named the UK’s Best Visitor Attraction by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. Continuum says that [...]
With places selling fast, CTA coach operator and wholesaler members are advised to book now for CTA Winter Networking in Blackpool, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 November. Over 80 delegates have already booked for the extended event that will give even more opportunities for business development and networking. Based at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, the event [...]
Sponsorship requests for the 2025 CTA Conference are now open. CTA members are invited to sponsor an event at the Conference, taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon, 9-11 February 2025, with options including dinners, entertainment, as well as coaches & guides. Sponsors already confirmed include Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Valor Hospitality. A variety of sponsorship [...]
VisitScotland Connect, Scotland’s premier travel trade event, returns in 2025 on 9 and 10 April at P&J Live, Aberdeen. Booking registration will open late this summer – more information to follow. The event presents tourism buyers from around the globe with the opportunity to experience Scotland and meet face-to-face with Scottish tourism businesses. VisitScotland Connect [...]
CTA has learned the sad news of the passing of Diane Brown of Johnson Bros. Johnson Bros said: “Diane was a much loved member of the Johnson Business and had worked with us for more than 20 years. Diane was a huge presence amongst colleagues and clients and was adored by all. She will be [...]
