Remembering Ian Stuart, Stuart Line Cruises

Well known CTA member Ian Stuart of Stuart Line Cruises passed away on Saturday 3 October. Ian was a great champion of coach tourism and will be missed by his many friends and colleagues across the industry.

Stuart Lines’ Lauren and Jake have penned the following tribute:

“Ian had been diagnosed with terminal cancer almost exactly one year ago and has defied the odds in surviving as long as he did.

He had been suffering for a few months, though he never once complained that he was. Following a lovely week away with Philippa, he was admitted to hospital on Friday 2 October and suffered a major bleed in the early hours of Saturday morning. We were not at his side at the time but the nurses and doctors assured us that it was incredibly quick and that he was not in pain or too much distress.

Ian valued group and coach tourism so highly and strongly believed in the importance of supplying a year-round service to operators. Coach tourism has done so much for the growth of our family business and is largely what has kept us going during the winter season, over the years. Ian was forever whizzing around Devon (and up and down the M5 at the various service stations and wherever he went, for that matter!), speaking to drivers, making a note of which coaches were staying where and ensuring that he invested in group travel trade fairs and the CTA membership, so that he could speak to operators directly.

Since the outbreak of the current pandemic, although he has not been well or directly involved in the business, we have continued to confide in Ian for advice on various matters and he has maintained his strong belief that coaches should always be welcome in Devon. Many attractions and suppliers have been reluctant to welcome groups and coaches recently but he was never afraid to go against the grain and wanted to continue to offer exactly the same service and good value to operators and always believed that we are all stronger together.

Ian was so proud to be a member of the Coach Tourism Association, having started his business virtually penniless and running a half-broken little wooden boat on the seafront. He achieved so much in such a short lifetime and to be known as one of the top attractions in Devon filled him with immense pride.

Ian worked so hard for everything he had and Stuart Line Cruises will continue business as usual, as that is what he would want. We have adored welcoming coaches back to our attraction since 4 July this year and will continue to do so, come hell or high water.”