Visit Kent has announced the appointment of three new members to the organisation’s board of directors. Adam Bryan, Director of Place, Medway Council, joins the board, replacing Richard Hicks. Richard now becomes the Chief Executive of Medway Council and was a valued member of the Visit Kent board for eight years. Stephen Russell, Founder and [...]
CTA members have described that the recent Winter Networking event in Exeter was the “best ever” for business development. Over 100 coach operators, wholesalers, and tourism suppliers attended the event on 19-20 November with significant new business potential and partnerships created as a result. “Many delegates reported that Winter Networking was the ‘best ever’ event [...]
CTA welcomed around 60 members to its World Travel Market networking event. Taking place on WTM’s opening morning on 6 November at The Fox pub at the Excel arena, the CTA event was sponsored by CroisiEurope. The session welcomed operators, wholesalers, and supplier members, [...]
The government is calling for evidence on its planned reforms of the 2018 Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations. Relevant parties, including operators, should respond by 13 December. The government says the objectives of the regulation reform are to give consumers appropriate protections when buying package holidays, as well as supporting the travel sector [...]
The Department for Transport has published a Call for Evidence on infrastructure for zero-emission (ZE) coaches and heavy goods vehicles. The DfT seeks to gather information relating to refueling and recharging requirements. This evidence will inform the development of a government strategy for ZE-HGV and coach infrastructure. Operators can submit their evidence here by 14 [...]
CTA members A&P Travel, Heathside Travel, and Johnsons Coaches have all won titles at the routeone Awards, which took place on 8 November. A&P Travel took home the prestigious Coach Tourism Programme of the Year award from a variety of strong nominations. Meanwhile, Heathside Travel won the Small Coach Operator of the Year award for [...]
Johnsons Coaches and Hovertravel are celebrating a long partnership after the Isle of Wight hovercraft operator completed its one hundredth Hovercraft Experience flight. Hovertravel provides a unique flight across the Solent for coach operators to visit the many attractions on the Isle of Wight. Hovercraft Experience Flight customers have their own private charter, complete with [...]
Kent’s Hever Castle is celebrating another gold award at South & South East in Bloom 2023. For the ninth year in a row, the 150-acre gardens have been awarded a prestigious Gold medal with judges, describing the rose garden as a “significant highlight.” The South & South East in Bloom awards is the largest horticultural [...]
Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire, is hosting a series of Alice in Wonderland-inspired Christmas events. Between 21 November and 31 December, Welcome to Wonderland: The Christmas Mansion, allows guests to follow Alice’s footsteps through Lewis Carrol’s make-believe world, including the Duchess’ Garden, the Queen of Hearts’ grand palace, and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Group [...]
The Three Counties Showground in Malvern is inviting coach groups to its programme of 2024 events, starting with the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. This iconic event, taking place from 9-12 May 2024, is a vibrant celebration of gardening excellence. Featuring themed areas, floral displays, show gardens, expert nurseries, and celebrity-led demonstrations, the RHS Malvern Spring [...]
The Royal Collection Trust has released its Group Visits & Private Tours 2024 brochure, featuring the Official Residences of His Majesty The King, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Available for download from this link, the new brochure presents special visits and highlights, as well as opening dates and times, and [...]
A classic Mini from the award-winning Great British Car Journey museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire, is taking part in the 2,000 mile legendary Italian Job run. The car rally is being staged in aid of Buttle UK, a charity dedicated to helping children and young people in crisis. The car, which was one of the last [...]
The Stompcast podcast, hosted by Dr Alex George, has partnered with Visit Isle of Man for a three-part episode on the island. The podcast episode features a special guest appearance by Peter Hickman, the celebrated Isle of Man TT racer and motorsport icon. Dr Alex George is a prominent figure in mental health advocacy, using [...]
Strawberry Field is a one of a kind, an authentic experience at the site that captured the heart of John Lennon as a boy and inspired the legendary Beatles song. It prides itself as one of the most genuine and accessible attractions in the UK and offers visitors the chance to see the original iconic [...]
Longleat has rejoined CTA as an attraction member and its travel trade team are delighted to invite coach and tour operator members of the CTA to a special Longleat House familiarisation visit on Friday 17 November from 11am. This event is part of Great West Way Marketplace and hosted by Longleat, conveniently taking place prior to [...]
Buyer registration for the VisitScotland Connect travel trade show is now live for 2024, taking place at P&J Live, Aberdeen on 17-18 April 2024. Fam trip options will also go live in October and will be available after buyer registration has been approved. VisitScotland Connect gives tourism buyers from around the globe the chance to [...]
Pendley Manor Hotel in Tring, Hertfordshire - a new CTA member - has launched a large function room that can cater for 600 people. The hotel’s Rose Garden Suite is a self-contained function space that can cater for large events. The new suite includes its own pre-function area, kitchens, and wash rooms. Pendley Manor Hotel [...]
VisitWindsor and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead advises that work to refurbish the Windsor Coach Park lift and footbridge to the town centre has begun. The council has split these important works into two phases, with phase one refurbishing the bridge lift. During this stage, the bridge will remain open to the public [...]
VisitBlackpool is asking coach operators to respond to a short, five-question survey to improve the town’s coach facilities. To shape improved facilities around the planned Blackpool Central leisure development, VisitBlackpool is asking coach operators to respond to the survey on their use of coach parking facilities at this link. “Coaches have been an integral part [...]
UKinbound has awarded Blenheim Palace the accolade of Individual Attraction of the Year at its Awards for Excellence event at Belfast City Hall on 21 September. The winners were decided by a panel of independent judges from across the tourism industry. Heather Carter, Managing Director at Blenheim Palace, said: “Winning this award truly means a [...]
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has received the esteemed Sandford Award for high achievement in heritage education. The award reflects the excellence of the sessions delivered by the team, which includes work with schools, colleges and universities as well as families, community and special interest groups. The Sandford Award has been running since 1978 and is [...]
An extremely rare silvery gibbon has been born at the Curraghs Wildlife Park on the Isle of Man. Silvery gibbons are classed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with as few as 2,000 adults left in the wild, where they are native to the Indonesian island of Java. It is [...]
Wicked Direct, the official global distribution platform and in-house sales team for the hit musical, is offering group deals into December for the Apollo Victoria Theatre-based show. Group tickets currently on sale until Sunday 15 December 2024 include A/B band seats reduced to £39.50, and C/D band seats reduced to £29.50 for groups of 10-plus [...]
The Isle of Wight has been named Best UK Destination of the Year at The Group Leisure & Travel Awards. Hosed by America’s Got Talent winner, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, guests from all corners of the group travel sector came together to celebrate the winners at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes. “It [...]
Jones Holidays, part of Alpine Travel, has announced the relocation of its Flint Travel Shop, moving to a new high street location. “While online bookings are a great way to offer convenience to many, the new high street shop is the perfect location to ensure that we can offer our customers the opportunity to book [...]
Bookings are now open for the 2024 CTA Conference & Workshop which takes place in Newcastle on 28-30 January 2024. The event will be based at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and will include the not-to-be-missed CTA Meet the Buyer Workshop on the morning of Monday 29 January, followed by a Conference session. The event includes [...]
Parry’s International is hosting a special public celebration of its 50th anniversary in London on Friday 3 November 2023 - and it has a few tickets left which are available to CTA members at a special price. The event is a two-night package that includes Marriott accommodation, meals, gala dinner, private charter lunch cruise on the [...]
Offer your guests something different this Christmas with a visit to Bodmin Jail. CTA member Bodmin Jail is a landmark historical site in the heart of Cornwall, built in 1779. Showcasing the rich and darkly fascinating legacy of Georgian and Victorian crime and punishment, the jail is an immersive experience. This festive season, Bodmin Jail [...]
The Royal Mint Experience at Ynysmaerdy, near Cardiff, has a temporary exhibition in celebration of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation Day. The Coronation-themed exhibition features a range of unique objects from The Royal Mint Museum’s collection, hands-on interactives, and a special photo opportunity. ‘Crowned: The Making of a Monarch’ exhibition will run for 12 [...]
The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland has launched a new group offer, including exclusive packages and discounts for groups, plus free familiarisation visits. The project is a collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, blending art, history and nature. The Auckland Project is centred around the magnificent Auckland Castle, [...]
CTA tour operator members are invited to a special Groups Trade Night hosted by Disney Tickets on Wed 27 September which includes hospitality, a presentation on how Disney can help your business, and a performance of The Lion King. The invitation is for tour operators only with two tickets per company. Please contact Josh.Behn@disney.com for [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry is hosting a travel trade fam trip on Thursday 12 October, 11am-1pm. The event follows renovation including a 2 year, £6million major restoration. St Mary’s Guildhall, located in the city’s historic Cathedral Quarter, escaped bombing raids during the Second World War and is one of the city’s only remaining medieval buildings. [...]
The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, is offering coach groups a variety of new packages for the upcoming festive period. A series of Christmas carol concerts will take place in the chapel, regarded as one of the world’s finest neo-classical interiors. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the Queen Mary Undercroft, [...]
The new Forth Valley Pass, from Edinburgh’s Forth Boat Tours, includes four of Scotland’s top visitor attractions: The Falkirk Wheel, Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, Stirling Old Town Jail, and a Three Bridges Cruise with Forth Boat Tours. Travel trade rates are available. “We are delighted to introduce this new ticket to the market,” says Alastair [...]
In celebration of the reopening and extensive refurbishment of The Loch Ness Centre, operators and wholesalers are being offered a special fam trip, taking place on 27 and 28 September. The exciting fam trip starts with refreshments at the Drum Hotel, and after a brief introduction talk, fam attendees will be escorted to The Loch [...]
Strawberry Field, the award-winning heritage attraction forever linked to John Lennon, is offering groups a Christmas lunch or Seasonal afternoon tea to complement a visit to the exhibition and authentic gardens. The accessible interactive exhibition tells the history of the children’s home, the Salvation Army, John Lennon’s childhood and the writing/recording of Strawberry Fields Forever. [...]
Derbyshire’s The Great British Car Journey, an interactive museum and journey through the car industry and society, from the 1920s onwards, has unveiled an exciting new car exhibit. A custom-built Middlebridge Scimitar No 5, which was previously owned by HRH Princess Anne for 35 years, has gone on display at the museum, located in Ambergate, [...]
People of all physical abilities can now explore the Isle of Man’s National Glens from the comfort of their homes, thanks to a new immersive virtual experience launched at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show. The Isle of Man is home to 18 mountain and coastal National Glens. However, the rugged terrain can be a barrier [...]
Liverpool FC Stadium Tour has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner for its placing in the top 10% of worldwide attractions. This is the second year running that the Stadium Tour has received the award, which celebrates attractions that have consistently received excellent reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 [...]
Penderyn Distillery has opened its third whisky distillery in Wales, a unique distillery and bottling plant part of a landmark £1 billion transformation program launched by Swansea city council. Penderyn Swansea Copperworks Distillery, which joins the Brecon and Llandudno sites, runs daily tours and will hold masterclasses. There is a shop on-site which opens seven [...]
Llancaiach Fawr Manor is celebrating two prestigious awards from Visit Wales. The historic visitor attraction in Caerphilly borough recently won both the Visit Wales ‘Best Told Story 2023-24’ and the new category ‘Quality Food and Drink 2023-24' accolades, awarded by VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service) following a mystery shopper visit by representatives of the [...]
The quality of food and drink produced on the Isle of Man has once again been recognised by experts at the annual Great Taste Awards. The organisers use more than 500 chefs, food writers and retailers to judge thousands of products from all over the world. 11 products from four Manx producers were awarded the [...]
CTA’s Winter Networking event takes place in Exeter on 19-20 November 2023. Hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandypark hotel and including dinner at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, we are very grateful for sponsorship from Visit Exeter. The event starts with a fam trip to Sidmouth with the coach supplied by Blakes Coaches plus a Blue [...]
Bookings will open very soon for CTA’s Winter Networking event, taking place in Exeter on 19 and 20 November. Hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandypark hotel and supported by Visit Exeter, the event includes a fam trip in Sidmouth, with lunch at a Brend Collection hotel. Stuart Line Cruises will then take delegates [...]
Newcastle-upon-Tyne will host the CTA Conference & Workshop 2024, taking place Sunday 28 to Tuesday 30 January 2024. The event will be based at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead hotel and will include a special fam trip as well as the not-to-be-missed CTA Meet the Buyer Workshop. A networking dinner will take place at a select [...]
VisitScotland Connect 2024, VisitScotland’s flagship travel trade event, is taking place on 17-18 April 2024 at P&J Live in Aberdeen. The event will include two days of pre-scheduled, one-to-one workshop appointments, plus an optional fam trip. Ideal for operators and wholesalers, attending VisitScotland Connect can help to plan your Scottish coach tours, or enhance your [...]
The Royal Horticultural Society’s magical RHS Glow experience returns this festive season across all five of its garden locations. Illuminated trails guide a journey as dusk falls, and sparkling hi-tech colours fill all five RHS Gardens: Bridgewater – Greater Manchester, Harlow Carr – North Yorkshire, Hyde Hall - Essex, Rosemoor – North Devon and Wisley [...]
Thames and Medway river cruise operator, Jetstream Tours, has launched a new vessel, Cruiser, which can take up to 200 people. Jetstream says the vessel is the largest passenger boat to ply the Thames Estuary. The boat can cruise anywhere along the River Thames, Medway, and Swale. Cruise options include Tower Bridge to Whitstable, and [...]
CTA operator members are among those nominated for this year’s routeone awards which take place on 8 November in Birmingham. Johnsons Quality Coach Travel has been shortlisted for four titles at the awards: coach tourism programme of the year, outstanding customer experience, large coach operator of the year and rising star of the year; while [...]
Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is welcoming coach groups, with highlights year-round. Situated in the Sussex High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wakehurst features over 500 acres of nature reserve, woodlands, and gardens. Wakehurst includes diverse natural attractions, including the Millennium Seed Bank that hides a collection of over 2.4 billion seeds [...]
