The Historic Dockyard Chatham has been awarded a prestigious Gold award from VisitEngland in the annual Attraction Accolades for the quality of its visitor experience. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust chief executive Richard Morsley says: “Along with our charitable objectives of “learning” and “preservation”, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust’s philosophy is excellence in all that we do. [...]
The Heights of Abraham has been awarded its sixth prestigious VisitEngland Gold Accolade for outstanding experience and quality amongst visitor attractions in England. In order to win a Gold Accolade, The Heights had to demonstrate excellence across a range of areas including visitor welcome, presentation of the attraction, cleanliness, guest experience, catering and retail, staff [...]
Eurotunnel will be releasing its fares and an annual Coach Calendar for 2023 in the coming days. Tracy Bayliss - Head of Coach will be attending World Travel Market, Excel London from 7-9 November 2022 on Stand EU1842 (shared with VisitWallonia.be) and would be delighted to meet with members. If you would like to set up a meeting with Tracy to discuss future [...]
This month it will be 70 years since the first UK singles chart was published by the New Musical Express in 1952, compiled by Percy Dickins and topped by Al Martino’s Here In My Heart. To mark this, the British Music Experience is partnering with the Official Charts Company to honour the UK’s chart-topping singles [...]
With CTA events at WTM and Bournemouth coming up, Ginette Goulston-Lincoln will be attending the networking events to discuss the benefits of taking your groups to Strawberry Field, Liverpool. Recently announced as the venue for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, Liverpool is the place to be. And Strawberry Field with its [...]
A new £500,000 Zero Emission Bus Market Transition Scheme (ScotZEB), administered by Energy Saving Trust and funded by Transport Scotland, aims to help organisations understand the steps required to replace their fleet with zero emission alternatives. This support will mean organisations are well positioned to apply for Scottish Zero Emission Bus Market Transition (ScotZEB) Phase [...]
CTA operators and wholesalers are invited to a Festive Showcase on the English Riviera organised by Devon's Top Attractions at the TLH Carlton Hotel Torquay from Mon 28 Nov to Fri 2 Dec. Looking for festive itinerary ideas? Join the Festive Showcase and find out what TLH Leisure Resort and the local attractions have to [...]
With its wide shopping boulevards, award-winning beach and coastline, spectacular gardens, magnificent pier, and world famous flower, food, air and firework festivals, Southport has long been recognised as one of the UK’s leading group-friendly destinations, and Visit Southport has recently become a member of CTA. Groups can enjoy a walk along the pier or by [...]
The Southport Group Travel Day will take place on Monday 24 April 2023. Arranged by Visit Southport in conjunction with travel trade specialists Steve Reed Tourism, the event will feature a mini exhibition of local and regional attractions in the morning and the option of a highly enjoyable coach tour and FAM trip around some [...]
The new Tasting Rooms & Rum School is open for group visits at the Stratford-upon-Avon venue where The Shakespeare Distillery has recently hosted its first group event. Groups can enjoy a welcome gin & tonic followed by a guided tasting session of three spirits for £12.50 per person, with the 16th group member admitted free. [...]
Sarum Lights – Renaissance is running from 8 to 12 November at Salisbury Cathedral. The show features light projections and soundscapes including installations based on the Italian Renaissance masters. The show begins at 5.30pm each day, with images projected onto the cathedral’s west front, in the cloisters, as well as the main cathedral building, accompanied [...]
Manx National Heritage has 12 sites which will remain open until 29 November, including tours of one of the world’s best preserved medieval castles at Castletown, as well as The Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world. The Isle of Man Steam Railway will run a full schedule throughout October, additional weekend [...]
11 Arches Park in Bishop Auckland has announced 2023 dates for Kynren, the outdoor theatre show about the past 2,000 years of history in the British Isles. Seven performances will take place on Saturdays from 29th July until 9th September 2023. The 90-minute family-friendly performance includes choreography, stunts, equestrianism, and special effects including pyrotechnics. 11 [...]
With the Festive season upon us, what better way to bring on the Christmas spirit than a visit to a Traditional German Christmas Markets. Moxy Hotels are ideally located across the UK within walking distance to the Christmas Markets. Why not enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a festive stein of ale, while shopping [...]
Themed with a big, bright and bold celebration of the Great British pantomime, the mansion state rooms at Tatton Park will take you on a journey through panto-land…. ‘Oh yes they will!’. Visitors will experience sensational sets and colourful characters - look out for the Panto Dame in the Staircase Hall and fly away to [...]
Following the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Windsor Castle has unsurprisingly become much in demand. It is now essential for groups to pre-book their visit in advance of arriving at the Castle. Group visits to Windsor Castle for 2023 can be reserved and booked on the Royal Collection Trust website from 7 November 2022.
Transport for London has produced a new map of coach parking available on Park Lane which is available here and on the dedicated website pages for coach drivers.
Providence Hospitality has a New Year’s package available at its Northfield Hotel in Minehead. There is limited space with 27 rooms available for £545pp. For more information contact gm@nfhotel.co.uk
Encore has provided an update of the latest West End theatre shows for coach groups. Best of Enemies at the Noël Coward Theatre from 14 November 2022 to 18 February 2023, focuses on 1968 – a year of protest that divided America. As two men fight to become the next President, all eyes are on [...]
Transport for London has supplied a comprehensive list of coach parking around London that will be available during the period of mourning and State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth. *The list is available by clicking here. Transport for London has advised us that between Thursday 15 September & the afternoon of Sunday 18 September [...]
See below updates we have received from members regarding opening on Mon 19 September: Historic Royal Palaces Historic Royal Palaces joins millions of people throughout the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the II. As a mark of respect all palaces will be closed on Monday 19 September 2022, the day [...]
Please see below a joint statement from coach trade bodies: Following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II yesterday we appreciate that coach operators up and down the country will start receiving enquires for coach hires to London. The Coach Tourism Association (CTA), Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the [...]
On behalf of members of The Coach Tourism Association we would like to express our deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty The Queen who passed away at the age of 96. Most of us will only have known The Queen as monarch, and her 70-year reign was marked by an extraordinary devotion to [...]
BOOKING DETAILS HERE Our next CTA Networking event takes place in Bournemouth on 20-21 November hosted by the Marsham Court Hotel. It promises to be another great event with a fabulous Fam trip on Sunday afternoon (20 November) which includes lunch at Henning’s and a Christmas Harbour Cruise with City Cruises followed by a visit [...]
CTA Operator and Wholesaler members are invited to Save the Date for a great Fam trip on 11-13 December which will travel via DFDS to France and enjoy visits to Arras Christmas market and Louvre Lens museum. Full details and booking link to follow
Visit Herts is inviting CTA operator and wholesaler members to Save the Date for a Fam trip on Sunday 23 October showcasing the incredible variety of film experiences Hertfordshire has to offer. The county has been gracing the silver screen for many years, providing locations for some of the most recognisable scenes from cinematic history, but [...]
New CTA member Yeadon Town Hall Theatre offers a fabulous dinner-show experience. From the moment you step into our theatre, your group is guaranteed a wonderful afternoon, or evening of excellent food and drink complimented with top quality entertainment from one of our many theatre shows presented throughout the year. The dinner shows all revolve around [...]
Located in the picturesque South Downs, a few miles from Arundel, West Sussex, Amberley Museum is perfect for regional and national coach tours near the south coast. It is keen to welcome coach groups and has recently joined CTA as a new member. The Museum is suitable for stand-alone visits and tours taking in Portsmouth, [...]
BA i360 which has recently joined CTA is an ideal attraction for coach groups of all sizes and ages visiting Brighton. The i360 pod can accommodate up to 175 people with plenty of room to move around and admire the stunning views. While on board, visitors can enjoy a range of locally-sourced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks [...]
CTA member Bodmin Jail is a unique visitor attraction and museum in central Cornwall which has recently benefited from an £8.5million investment, turning it into a truly world-class attraction. It is very keen for as many tour operators as possible to include it in their itineraries. Since Cornwall is a long trek for many to [...]
Tourism South East’s group travel show Excursions takes place on 28 January 2023 and will be held at Twickenham for a second year. As the longest running group travel show, Excursions has established itself as a must-attend event in the group travel calendar and has inspired and connected the group travel market for almost half a [...]
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, who provided some fantastic gin refreshments to CTA members at the recent Summer Networking in Glasgow, has been recognised as the Family Business of the Year for Scotland by Family Business United. The collection of hotels includes Crieff Hydro Hotel, Peebles Hydro Hotel, and Ballachulish Hotel and Isles of Glencoe [...]
You don’t have to be an ardent fan of motor racing to enjoy the Silverstone Interactive Museum, it’s a terrific day out. The Museum is housed in a restored WW2 RAF hangar right next to part of the original Grand Prix circuit. If you step outside the rear of the museum you can walk the [...]
South of Scotland Destination alliance has produced a new Scotland Starts Here Travel Trade Section which includes a lots of information in general and seasonal brochures, itinerary section and a travel trade directory. There is also a sign-up link to a media library which gives operators free access to images and videos to use in marketing [...]
CTA operators can receive a National Trust Travel Trade Pass, which is valid for 12 months from point of issue. This pass allows you and a friend or colleague to gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for those 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or [...]
A special four-day Christmas Markets itinerary for coach operators has been prepared by Hauts-de-France. The itinerary takes in Christmas markets at Lille, Arras and Amiens as well as a suggestion for a dinner at a typical Flemish estaminet as well as a a gourmet walk in the heart of Old Lille with a guide from [...]
Visit Aberdeen has highlighted a new Aberdeen Pub and History tour which is a private walking tour suitable for groups where your clients will learn about the history of Aberdeen through its liquids - water, beer, whisky and oil! The tour includes: • Guided walking tour telling the story of Aberdeen • Visits to two [...]
Tourism Ireland, on behalf of the Lisburn and Castlereagh Council is inviting operators to attend a Westminster Business Showcase on Wednesday 21 September 2022 The aim of the event is to shine a major focus on tourism and hospitality that plans to: Showcase the Royal Hillsborough product to new markets; Create commercial opportunities for local companies to [...]
CTA attraction member in Liverpool The Floating Grace, which is Liverpool's only floating restaurant and bar boat and provides lunch or dinner cruises, has recently been awarded the Gold Armed Forces Covenant. The covenant aims to tighten the ties between Defence and employers and recognises employers who proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of [...]
Travel Agenda has now been working with tour operators for more than 17 years providing a full range of services for groups. It would love to work with coach operators for arranging attraction visits as it deals with most key partners in the UK & Ireland, including Merlin, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Aquarium, as [...]
Continuum has launched new group rates for 2023 for all its attractions - Spinnaker Tower, Mary King’s Close, I’m a celebrity Jungle Challenge, Green Wood, Emmerdale The Village Tour, York’s Chocolate Story, Coronation Street The Tour and Oxford Castle & Prison. Group rates include discounted admission prices (subject to terms and conditions); Free pre-visit familiarisation trip for [...]
Shakespeare Distillery is expanding its business and opening a brand-new experiences space in Stratford-upon-Avon. The independent artisan spirit producer is taking on a long-term lease at No 1 High Street which houses its retail shop on the ground floor. Initially seen as a pop-up shop, Shakespeare Distillery is converting two additional floors above the retail [...]
CTA operators and wholesalers are invited by VisitFlanders to a fully-hosted trip to the Flanders Travel Forum in Bruges from 25-28 September 2022. It’s a great opportunity for those wanting to reacquaint themselves with the region and get to know the city of Bruges again. It includes pre- and post-tours, and the main workshop supplier [...]
CTA members were treated to some legendary Scottish hospitality at the Summer Networking event in Glasgow. Delegates were hosted at the well-located Crowne Plaza and a series of visits and a Workshop were arranged with support from our Partner member VisitScotland along with National Trust for Scotland, Glasgow Life and local attractions. The Riverside Museum [...]
Visit Wales’ new Travel Trade website is now live and is a great reference source with lots of information and links to new group products in Wales including: Newly qualified guides join WOTGA Taste of Wales’ evenings with Loving Welsh Food Woolly North Wales tours Coin, Coal and Cheers experience at 3 South Wales attractions – The [...]
Valor Hospitality is delighted to be the hosts for the Coach Tourism Association Summer Networking Event, taking place at one of its largest properties, Crowne Plaza Glasgow, in July. Valor looks forward to welcoming CTA buyers and suppliers to Crowne Plaza Glasgow. Valor Hospitality is an multi-award-winning hotel management company, operating a global hotel portfolio [...]
Ambassador Cruise Line will be offering six sailings from Dundee from April 2023 offering various voyages until June 2023. In addition, Ambassador’s latest edition to the fleet, Ambition, will set sail on her inaugural season on 4 March 2023 with capacity for 1,200 guests. Ambassador’s two ships will be sailing to six continents and 58 countries, calling [...]
CTA member Big Heritage is offering half price tours for operators at Deva Roman Discovery Centre in Chester for August/October/November/December. Places may be limited, and some dates will be restricted. Discounted multi-tickets are also available for Big Heritage’s town visitor attractions in Chester city centre, Deva and Sick to Death. Email georgia@bigheritage.co.uk for booking enquiries.
Bakers Dolphin provided eight coaches to support Weston Hospicecare’s Mendip Challenge, which is now in its 31st year. The event involves hundreds of people walking across the Mendips to support the charity, which provides palliative care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in and around Weston-super-Mare. The challenge raises tens of thousands of pounds every year. [...]
CTA member Bodmin Jail is keen to work with tour operators to grow its visitor numbers. The Bodmin Jail museum is fully accessible and there is parking about 15 minutes away (Priory Park), with visitors dropped on Berrycombe Road. It offers a range of seasonal tours on a specific theme. Forthcoming tours include; Walking with [...]
