Fife has launched a new coach tourism webpage to help operators get the most from the area including useful information on parking and drop-off points. The peninsular, located between Edinburgh and Dundee, features destinations and attractions ideal for coach group tours, ranging from historic cities like Dunfermline, Scotland’s ancient capital, to the picturesque fishing [...]
VisitScotland is presenting a run-down of events taking place in autumn and winter including classic events plus new attractions to generate new product ideas for operators. The line-up of events includes The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, between 21-31 October, taking place across Edinburgh. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in [...]
To promote trips and tours to Scotland, CTA members have access to VisitScotland’s online media library. The VisitScotland digital Asset Library offers a collection of free-to-use images and videos, as well as audio, plus documents and presentations. The library includes searchable geographical locations covering Scotland as well as themes such as landscapes, castles, cities, [...]
New Lanark, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has joined the Coach Tourism Association as part of its drive to welcome more coach groups. The site is based on an 18th century Mill Village on the River Clyde, south-east of Glasgow. Founded with a focus on philanthropy, education and the welfare of the mill workers, [...]
VisitScotland is presenting a variety of accommodation options to the travel trade with many additions relevant to coach tour operators. Available on the VisitScotland website under the banner Fresh Scottish Stays for Summer 2026, the page includes several newly opened and refurbished hotels suitable for coach groups, amongst a list that also includes accommodation [...]
VisitScotland Connect 2026, Scotland’s premier travel trade event, which took place on 14-15 April at Glasgow SEC, attracted 330 global buyers spanning 20 countries. The event brought Scottish tourism businesses together with international and domestic buyers for two full days of in-person meeting. Representing 289 Scottish businesses including 68 attending for the first time, the event [...]
VisitScotland has prepared a portfolio of trade-ready garden experiences that showcase Scotland’s gardening excellence and heritage, ideally suited to coach groups. The listing of gardens includes the classic, from Backhouse Rossie Estate Walled Garden near Auchtermuchty in Fife, through to the more unusual, such as The Japanese Garden at Cowden (Sha Raku En), Clackmannanshire. [...]
If you’re heading to VisitScotland Connect, Scotland’s premier travel trade event, taking place 15-16 April at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow, visit CTA at the event. Buyer registration is still open, although Supplier registration is now closed, and a waiting list is in operation for suppliers and destinations. VisitScotland Connect welcomes tourism buyers from [...]
Perth Museum, the new £26.5m redevelopment of a historic building in the centre of Perth City, has released its travel trade rates and guide. A popular feature on the recent CTA Winter Networking event, The Perth Museum invites visitors to explore Scotland’s past and its connection to the wider world through its display of exceptional [...]
Scotland's Tay Country has published its new Coach Operator Toolkit, providing operators with full information to plan, promote, and deliver coach trips and tours across Scotland’s Tay Country. Tay Country comprises Angus, Fife, Perthshire, and the city of Dundee. The new toolkit provides insights to help operators understand the Tay Country offer, including suggestions for [...]
Registration is now underway for VisitScotland Connect 2026, Scotland’s biggest travel trade event, which will take place 15-16 April at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow. The event presents tourism buyers from around the world with the opportunity to experience Scotland. The VisitScotland Connect format includes two days of pre-scheduled, one-to-one workshop appointments. The event is [...]
Limited places are available for the CTA Winter Networking, with the pre-event overnight at Peebles now full. Taking place in Perthshire between 22-24 November, the event is sponsored by VisitScotland and Perth & Kinross Council. In a packed weekend, fam trips include Forth Boat Tours, Scone Palace, the Perth Museum, and Black Watch Museum, plus a visit to [...]
VisitScotland Connect 2026, Scotland’s biggest travel trade event, is scheduled to take place 15-16 April at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow. The event presents tourism buyers from around the world with the opportunity to experience Scotland and meet face-to-face with Scottish tourism businesses to develop new product. VisitScotland Connect hosts two days of pre-scheduled, 1-2-1 [...]
Aberdeenshire Council is providing a list of maps to support coach tour operators visiting the seaside town of Stonehaven. The maps show suitable locations for coaches to park for a short duration. The guides have been created to support coach tours and improve traffic flow and town centre parking. A drop off/pick up point is [...]
VisitScotland Connect, Scotland’s flagship travel trade event which aims to grow Scotland's share of global travel in a sustainable way, took place on 9 and 10 April at P&J Live, Aberdeen. Across two days, 240 Scottish tourism businesses met with 250 tour operators and travel agents from 20 markets around the world to do business [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Visit Scotland has some live familiarisation events coming up with two dates in early May and three in September. There are a couple of spaces on the May fam trips available at the moment which are based in the North of Scotland. There is information here and below on the May showcases, including dates and [...]
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk 0344 879 9210 With over 30 locations across, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts offers a unique collection of hotels & resorts in the UK’s most enviable locations, each with a distinctive identity. From dramatic loch-sides and peaceful woodland walks to stylish city centres steeped in history; each of our hotel locations offer an individual charm [...]
CTA members enjoyed a stimulating update on Scotland in the zoom session to mark St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. If you missed it, you can watch the video below and there are also links to the presentations from Partner members VisitScotland and CalMac Ferries, plus Edinburgh attraction Scotch Whisky Experience, and the Edinburgh Tattoo [...]
CTA members are invited to attend a special zoom event to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on Tuesday 30 November at 11am. With fantastic support from our Partner members CalMac Ferries and VisitScotland, the event will highlight the very special welcome that awaits your groups in Scotland. CalMac will be showcasing their exciting food and beverage [...]
Discover Scotland: Reconnect 2022 will replace the longstanding annual VisitScotland Expo with a format designed to mitigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and build on the success of Scotland Reconnect 2020 and 2021. The three-day Discover Scotland: Reconnect 2022 virtual event on 5-7 April, will provide an ideal platform to explore new business opportunities [...]
VisitAberdeenshire is promoting a range of exciting and different experiences with 10 Dollar Shake and Rabbie's. VisitAberdeenshire is promoting a range of exciting and different experiences with 10 Dollar Shake and Rabbie's. 10 Dollar Shake is a food and drink experience provider offering a range of different options to give your clients a true taste [...]
Scotland is moving beyond level zero from Monday 9 August. This means that most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions will be lifted. While some protective measures will stay in place, the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on household gatherings will be removed, and all venues across Scotland will be able to re-open. [...]
www.visitmorayspeyside.com 01309 678150 Moray Speyside nestles between the Highlands to the west, the Cairngorms National Park to the south and Aberdeenshire to the east. The region is served by the East Coast Mainline railway and by two international airports. The region is approximately 3 hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow by road, making it the [...]
VisitScotland has issued an update on the latest changes as Scotland begins a gradual move out of lockdown. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed that all areas of Scotland will move to level zero from Monday 19 July. The next review is due on 9 August. See the latest issue of Scotland News for more details [...]
While Scottish Government travel restrictions are still in place, CalMac Ferries reports that it continues to have restrictions on the number of coaches and passengers on each of its vessels due to social distancing. CalMac has been reviewing the capacity on services and now advises that a total of 35 passengers (including driver and guide) [...]
VisitScotland hosted a Panel Discussion with sector specialists for Coach Tourism in Scotland. Here is a link to the video recording of the panel, and should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let us know, Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: industry.development@visitscotland.com. Since the recording of the webinar, CalMac have reviewed [...]
VisitScotland is inviting key buyers to take part in Scotland Reconnect 2021 on 27-29 April The three-day event provides an ideal platform to explore new business opportunities and reconnect with Scottish exhibitors through a combination of pre-scheduled and ad-hoc appointments and round table discussions. VisitScotland's Lauren Hogg says: "In these challenging times of Covid-19 we [...]
www.strathmorehotels.com 01355 266886 Strathmore Hotels is an established group of 8 hotels of individual charm and character. Our hotels are in popular tourist destinations in the UK; Perth – Salutation Hotel, Fort William – Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club and Alexandra Hotel, Oban – Royal Hotel, Inverness-shire – Nethybridge Hotel, Glasgow – Buchanan Hotel, Harrogate [...]
www.rbhmanagement.com 07771 333669 RBH Hotels UK is the UK’s leading hotel management company. RBH Hotels UK develop and manage properties across the UK offering a diverse collection of branded and independent hotels. We work in partnership with five of the most prestigious international hotel brands, including Hilton, IHG, Accor, Wyndham and Marriott. RBH Hotels [...]
www.marriott.co.uk 07785 995342 Winner of the AA Hotel Group Of The Year 2010-2011 Marriott offers you a choice of nearly 60 hotels across the UK and Ireland including 11 Hotel & Country Clubs set in hundreds of acres of parkland. Each hotel is conveniently located for you to explore the local area and all [...]
www.jurysinns.com 01923 422777 Staying at a Jurys Inn, you’ll be right in the heart of the city, with great sightseeing, shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife all on your doorstep. All hotels have bedrooms with both double and single beds, or doubles with sofa beds. Ideal for up to 3 adults or families and include [...]
www.jupiterhotels.co.uk 0161 234 6062 Operating 31 UK hotels under the Mercure and Holiday Inn brands, as well as 2 independent hotels. Jupiter Hotels is the perfect partner for your leisure needs. Our property portfolio includes 3- & 4-star country houses, city centre and seaside locations, all ideal locations when touring the UK. From the [...]
www.hilton.com 0207 856 8236
www.dalatahotelgroup.com 07540 243353 Dalata was founded in June 2007 by Pat McCann, who acquired a group of companies from Choice Hotels Ireland and in 2008 rebranded its leased hotels under its own Maldron Hotels brand. Since then, Dalata has built a centralised management team with expertise across all areas of the hotel business. Dalata [...]
www.crieffhydrofamily.com 01764 651837 At Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, we make it easy to organise inspiring group tours of Scotland. Your guests enjoy the individuality of a local hotel, with the high standards of a national group. And you get expert support and seamless booking. Each hotel is part of the Crieff Hydro family [...]
www.classicbritain.com 01357 529129 Classic Britain for Groups, represents over 250 Group orientated hotels. Recognised as being the specialist for providing well-researched and inspirational packages across the UK. We work closely with our member hotels, carrying-out regular inspections means we know all of our hotels inside out. We offer the best rate and supply you [...]
www.cairnhotelgroup.com 07918 151 256 The Cairn Group are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience in delivering exceptional customer service across our diverse range of hotels, bars and restaurants. Our professional team are well versed in creating tailor made solutions, so whether you’re looking to place a tour series or a [...]
www.bestwestern.co.uk 0844 387 6400 With over 220 group friendly hotels in Great Britain, Best Western has something for everyone with country retreats, city centre locations, seaside breaks, each hotel with their own story to tell. Our dedicated groups team will assist in finding the perfect hotel for your group.
www.bespokehotels.com 07725 464515 The only common factors here are great service, a flair for hospitality and recognition that our guests will be treated as individuals. Each of our properties is tailored throughout to enhance its essential character whilst meeting the needs of your discerning groups. Bespoke Hotels has grown to represent over 90 properties, and [...]
www.almarosehotels.com 07741 325452 Almarose Hotels & Resorts are an independent hotel management company who own and operate an award-winning portfolio of 21 four star properties throughout the UK. Locations include Oxford, Cambridge and Cheltenham trading under Hilton, Mercure and Marriott brands. With over 2,800 bedrooms and 220 meeting rooms, the portfolio also includes 18 [...]
www.accorhotels.com 020 8237 8800 As part of one of the largest hotel groups – with over 4,000 properties in 90 countries – Accor Hospitality offers an unparalleled range of destinations and brands to suit all your travel requirements. The Group’s hotel operations include complementary brands -from luxury to budget – that are recognized and [...]
www.group-travel.com 01432 277666 Founded in 1972, Norman Allen Group Travel (NAGT) is a family owned and managed company. Our activities exclusively involve group travel and we are dedicated to providing quality British, Irish, European and Worldwide tours by coach and by air. Our offices are in Herefordshire, one of England’s most unspoilt and scenic [...]
www.greatdays.co.uk 0161 928 9966 Greatdays Travel Group is one of the leading ‘group travel’ tour wholesalers in the UK for both incoming and outgoing tourism serving Great Britain, Europe and Worldwide destinations. Founded over 25 years ago we remain a family owned business, providing an efficient, personal and friendly service with over 40 employees [...]
www.ashleynewey.co.uk 01325 389567 Our small team develops innovative programmes for coach holidays and supplies itineraries based at quality hotels across the UK, to match the requirements of each individual operator’s profile. Our prices include all aspects of the holiday package with multiple hotel allocations enabling us to offer excellent value for an excellent product. [...]
www.albatrosstravel.com 01732 879191 The Albatross Travel Group are the UK’s largest wholesaler, offering Coach Operators a wide variety of top destinations at the lowest rates. Handling around 3000 groups per year and employing over 70 full-time staff, Albatross still retains its “small company” attitude to doing business with its supplier and client partners. Part [...]
www.actiontours.co.uk 01952 462462 Action Tours has established itself as a leading specialist wholesaler for group travel to the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Europe. Punching well above its weight in a very competitive industry, this Shropshire-based company now has 25 years experience in providing inventive and affordable tailor-made holidays for groups. [...]
www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com 0131 472 2431 CTA Partner Member
