River Thames sightseeing operator City Cruises has expanded with the acquisition of York River Boat Cruises (YorkBoat) from Chester Boat Company for £2.5m.
The acquisition adds to City Cruises’ existing portfolio that includes its main London River Thames operation, and City Cruises Poole, based in Dorset. The enlarged company will now operate 25 boats offering a wider choice of river cruise products for tour operators, group travel organisers and travel agents.
City Cruises has acquired YorkBoat, adding to its existing operations in London and Poole
General manager of York River Boat Cruises, Jo Dykes, who has been with the company for more than 20 years, will remain in position and oversee the company’s transition to become City Cruises York.
Kyle Haughton, managing director of City Cruises, says: “Our objective is to grow the business beyond London and the new acquisition is a step towards achieving this. There are significant opportunities to work with the trade in York and the success we’ve had packaging attractions with cruises is something we want to develop there too.”
Brian Clarke, owner and managing director of Chester Boat Company, says: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity over the last ten years using my wealth of experience to develop the business. It is with great pleasure that it can now be passed on to a larger operator that can take this business to its next level.”
The expansion adds to City Cruises’ recent successes that has seen overall revenues for 2016/2017 increase by 6% year-on-year. Contributing factors include a new private hire service that delivered 168 private hires in 2016-17, generating a 17% increase in revenue. Revenue from Showboat sailings on the Thames increased 16% with revenue from afternoon tea cruises increasing by 10%. Increasing the frequency of the popular ‘Jazz Cruise’ to every Friday delivered a revenue increase of 117%. At the same time, a major £2.4m refurbishment of the City Alpha on the Thames and the launch of a third ThamesJet boat has brought an improved London product.
City Cruises York will continue to operate sightseeing cruises from the two existing boarding points along the River Ouse: King’s Staith and Lendal Bridge. The company says the product will be developed to offer a similar schedule to London. The new cruising options will include the early evening Sundowner as well as Lunch and Dinner Cruises. York will also operate the ‘Sail with Santa Cruise’ and ‘Christmas Night Cruises’ throughout the festive season.
RATP Dev UK, the parent company of Epsom Coaches, is to rename the Surrey-based operator, and end its tour operations, just three years before the company was due to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
The surprise move, announced on 3 April, will see the company become Quality Line, currently the trading name of the company’s bus division. The company is to be brought under direct management of RATP Dev London.
The changes, which will take effect from 25 June 2017, are understood to mean that the well-respected Epsom Coaches name will disappear completely, and coach tour operations will come to an end.
It is also understood that Steve Whiteway, Epsom Coaches’ managing director, is to retire.
Steve Whiteway, Epsom Coaches’ managing director, is to retire in June
It is understood that Epsom Coaches existing day trip and tour programme will continue until 24 June. After that, the programme will cease. Customers already booked on tours after that date are being notified and monies refunded.
Tim Jackson, Chief Executive of RATP Dev UK, says: “I would like to thank Steve Whiteway who is retiring in June after 37 years of service. Steve’s dedication and leadership over the years has been the foundation for this successful business.”
“In an increasingly competitive market, I’m confident that the closer integration of Quality Line into the RATP Dev London operation will enhance the company’s competitiveness and create opportunity to develop it further. That should be good for its passengers, employees and local stakeholders.”
After 97 years, the end of the road is in sight for the familiar maroon and cream livery of Epsom Coaches
Fiona Taylor, managing director of RATP Dev London, says: “The changes enable RATP Dev London to speak with a stronger voice and deliver a consistent product, so that we can better serve our customers every day. We very much look forward to working with the excellent staff of Epsom Coaches as they join the RATP Dev London team.”
RATP Dev London currently has two subsidiaries: London United and London Sovereign. Quality Line’s existing TfL routes will continue to run from the Epsom depot. RATP Dev UK says that from June it will have a single interface with TfL to cover contract and account management, tendering and business development. It will also deploy best practice across all ten of its London bus garages.
Epsom Coaches was established by H.R. Richmond in 1920. In 1986 the company made the move into the bus market. In 2003 the bus division was rebranded as Quality Line with the fleet repainted from the traditional cream and brown into all over red to comply with TfL requirements. In April 2012 the company was purchased by the Paris-based RATP Group.
In 2015 this 1951 Bedford coach helped Epsom Coaches celebrate its 95th anniversary
In June 2015 the company celebrated its 95th anniversary with a well-attended open day at its Epsom premises. Commenting at the time, Steve Whiteway said: “Our visitors enjoyed the variety of attractions we laid on and especially enjoyed the nostalgic displays of old vehicles and photographs from our long history. We have had some wonderful comments, our staff team and vehicle owners together with our suppliers really went all out to make this a very special day for all concerned.”
It is understood that staff are saddened that the changes mean they won’t be able to celebrate the company’s centenary. Talking at the open day in 2015, Steve said: “I am very proud to lead this business, which has always had the community at its heart. We now look forward to our centenary in 2020.”
Stuart Render, who has worked closely with the Epsom Coaches team for a number of years, and has shared many of their successes, says: “Epsom Coaches is one of this country’s most respected coaching names. It is therefore disappointing and not a little sad that the brand and the tour operations are to disappear. It is equally disappointing that the team of professional, enthusiastic and hard-working staff are being denied the opportunity to celebrate what would have been a hugely important milestone in the history of the company.
“However, there is little room for sentimentality when it comes to the harsh commercial environment. This is a straight commercial decision, and is in no way an indication of the team having done anything other than work their socks off. All the team at Epsom Coaches can be rightly proud of what they’ve achieved. Come 25 June, the coach and coach tourism industry, and the many loyal customers of Epsom Coaches, will have lost something very special.”
Miss England 2016, Elizabeth Grant, visited the British Tourism & Travel Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 23 March to help the Southport tourism team celebrate winning a national tourism award.
Southport won ‘Coach Friendly Destination of the Year’ at the British Coach Tourism Awards held the previous evening. The town saw off stiff competition from Beverley, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Poole and Wells to win the award for ‘Coach Friendly Destination of the Year’.
The award recognises a town, city or region that demonstrates a commitment to welcoming coaches, coach groups and coach drivers. Previous winners have included Liverpool, York, Burnham-on-Sea and the Isle of Man.
The judges praised ‘Southport Welcome’, a new initiative launched in 2016 to highlight and remind tour planners and coach operators why the traditional seaside destination is coach and group friendly.
Elizabeth Grant was crowned ‘Miss England’ in Southport in July 2016 and was visiting the trade show to help highlight the many attractions the popular seaside town has to offer.
Miss England 2016/17, Elizabeth Grant, is joined by Sammi Rudge and Steve Christian from Southport’s tourism team
The Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, North Yorkshire, has launched ‘The Real Yorkshire Experience’, a new and unique short break tour package for tour planners and group travel organisers.
‘The Real Yorkshire Experience’ combines traditional Yorkshire hospitality at the hotel with a choice of day trip itinerary options that can be tailored to offer a bespoke tour.
The Rendezvous Hotel and Visit Skipton teams, with help from ‘Ena’ the sheep, launch ‘The Real Yorkshire Experience’ at the British Tourism & Travel Show on 22 March
The Real Yorkshire Experience package includes:
Arrival drinks with Yorkshire treats and Yorkshire tea
Dinner, bed and breakfast with a ‘Yorkshire’ dish each night on the menu
Yorkshire tea on return from your day out
Yorkshire goody bag on departure
A selection of Yorkshire-themed evening entertainment including: long sword dancers, folk band, gin tasting experience, themed quizzes, and local guest speakers
The day trip itinerary options include the Yorkshire Dales, Bolton Abbey, Bronte Country, Saltaire and Salts Mill, and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. There’s also an opportunity to travel around the region by vintage coach.
The 96-bedroom, award-winning Rendezvous Hotel sits alongside the Leeds Liverpool Canal a mile south of the market town of Skipton, the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. As part of the package, groups can be picked up by boat and taken into the town. The hotel has also joined together with a number of local visitor attractions and tourism suppliers to offer exclusive discounts.
Commenting on the new package, Malcolm Weaving, owner of the Rendezvous Hotel, says: “Yorkshire is already well known for its friendly welcome, it’s spectacular scenery, and its group-friendly visitor attractions. Skipton itself was presented with the award for ‘Top Town for Courtesy 2016’ by the National Campaign for Courtesy, of which we are members. This new package brings all of that together in a way that allows tour planners and group travel organisers to put together a bespoke itinerary and to truly experience what this part of Yorkshire has to offer.”
The Rendezvous Hotel is family owned and run by Malcolm and Karen Weaving who live in the hotel. It received the award for ‘Accommodation Provider of the Year’ at the National Coach Tourism Awards 2014 and 2016, and was a finalist in 2017. It was a runner-up in the category for ‘Individual Hotel for Groups’ at the 2016 Group Travel Awards.
The hotel has a ‘Group Charter’ and ‘Tour Charter’, and function rooms that can be used by groups for evening entertainment or afternoon events. There’s free wifi throughout the hotel and free parking for coaches.
More than 350 professionals from across the coach tourism industry gathered at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham on 22 March for the British Coach Tourism Awards 2017.
Special recognition was paid to Joan Johnson of Henley-in-Arden based Johnsons Coach Travel for her outstanding contribution to coach tourism.
Celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, the British Coach Tourism Awards is the only national awards scheme that specifically focuses on coach tourism. The event is organised by Diversified Communications UK, and hosted by Group Tourism & Travel magazine (formerly Coach Monthly). This year’s celebrity presenter was TV personality and broadcaster Gethin Jones.
The British Coach Tourism Awards celebrates excellence among coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions and industry suppliers
Here’s the full list of winners:
Coach Friendly Destination (sponsored by P&O Ferries)
– Southport
Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction (sponsored by the Coach Tourism Association)
– West Midland Safari & Leisure Park
European Coach Friendly Attraction (sponsored by DFDS)
– Titanic Belfast
Sea, Canal, Inland Riverboat Carrier (including under-sea) (sponsored by Edward Coaches)
– Windermere Lake Cruises
Heritage Railway (sponsored by Group Tourism & Travel Magazine)
– Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Accommodation Provider (sponsored by the British Tourism & Travel Show)
– Warner Leisure Hotels
Tour Wholesaler (sponsored by Planet Hollywood & Ripley’s London)
– Albatross Travel
Holiday Programme (sponsored by Irish Ferries)
– Glenton Holidays
Day Excursion Programme (sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels)
– Eastons Coaches
Accessibility Award (sponsored by Coach & Bus UK)
– Chester Zoo
Coach Tour Operator Brochure (sponsored by Hospitality Line and City Cruises)
– Crusader Holidays
Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Eurotunnel)
– Galloway Coach Travel, for ‘School of Rock coach’
Coach Tourism Professional of the Year (sponsored by the Association of Group Travel Organisers)
– Lisa Weaver, Groups Coordinator, Woburn Abbey and Gardens
Coach Tour Driver of the Year (sponsored by the Coach Drivers’ Club)
– The driver team at Crusader Holidays
Coach Tour Operator: Small Fleet (1-5 coaches) (sponsored by the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton)
– Tally Ho! Holidays
Coach Tour Operator: Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches) (sponsored by Roadchef)
– Highland Explorer Tours
Coach Tour Operator: Large Fleet (more than 15 coaches) (sponsored by Wrightsure)
– Edwards Coach Holidays
The British Coach Tourism Recognition Award (sponsored by Hilton Worldwide)
– Joan Johnson
Joan, who was unable to be present at the awards, has spent more than 60 years working in the industry. She joined Johnsons Coaches of Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, her husband Roy’s family business, in 1956. She retired in December last year at the age of 80. Having joined the business in 1956, with just three coaches, a furniture removal lorry and a taxi, Joan was soon raising five children whilst running a business, and becoming one of the first ever female coach drivers in the UK. In 1981, she completed her first coach tour to Blairgowrie with her son John. From then she has escorted more than 350 tours all over the UK, Europe and worldwide. A true family business, her dedication saw her taking on research to each destination and excursion, making sure that customers were well looked after, and even coming up with the company’s motto: ‘Travel with Johnsons, Travel with Friends’. In her spare time she volunteers for a local charity, raising over £11k in just three years.
Helen Conway, group director at Diversified UK, says: “Once again the sheer quality of this year’s awards entries has been outstanding and sends a strong signal that the domestic tourism sector is getting stronger every year and is a real testament to the strength of commitment of the individuals working within it.
“There are many tourism awards, but only the British Coach Tourism Awards specifically focuses on coach tourism. They are the most important annual celebration of the very best our industry has to offer. As well as recognising excellence and innovation in all aspects of the trade on a big stage, the awards offer winners a year-round marketing opportunity and a big morale-booster for hard-working teams. Congratulations again to all our fantastic winners.”
For further information, and to see more photos from the event, go to www.britishcoachawards.co.uk.
Ipswich-based Arena Travel has purchased ‘The River Cruise Line’ and ‘Diamond Rail’ brands.
The announcement follows the news (16 March) that Diamond Shortbreak Holidays Ltd had ceased trading ‘due to financial difficulties’ on March 15.
The ‘Diamond Holidays’ brand itself is not understood to be part of the deal.
Steve Goodenough, general manager of Arena Travel, who was sales and marketing director with Diamond Holiday Group until June 2015, says he aims to continue to operate as many of the brands’ 5,000 booked holidays as possible in 2017.
“The acquisition was supported by the cruise lines who operate the popular ‘Lady Anne’ and ‘Serenity’ ships that are exclusive to The River Cruise Line. Both will be working closely with Arena with the aim of operating the vast majority of planned sailings for 2017.
“Our aim is to provide the same rail or river cruise holiday on the same date and at the same price to as many of the 5,000 who have booked a holiday for the season ahead as possible. Thanks to the financial protection in place, customers will be covered for any loss of money.
“We’d like to reassure agents and the loyal customers of The River Cruise Line and Diamond Rail Holidays that their bookings will be safe and that we will be working hard to minimise disruption through this period of transition.
“We appreciate that this can be a worrying time, but our intention is to retain and build the River Cruise Line and Diamond Rail brands, and to ensure that their portfolio of river cruises and escorted rail tours continues to operate to the usual high standard.
“Arena Travel has been established for over 40 years and our expertise in special interest holidays means that there’s a great synergy between the brands and customers of both companies. We look forward to an exciting future, developing business with our trade partners, group organisers and individual customers”.
News that Diamond Shortbreak Holidays had ceased trading broke on 16 March. A statement from the company said: “It is with deep regret that Diamond Shortbreak Holidays Ltd, trading as Diamond Holidays, Diamond Rail Holidays and The River Cruise Line, is in the process of going into administration. In total there are just under 7,000 current holiday bookings. All passengers who were due to travel with the company have either already been contacted or will be contacted shortly. As the company is a fully bonded member of ABTA and ATOL monies paid by our customers are protected.”
Diamond Shortbreak Holidays, based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, had been operating holidays in the UK and Europe for 19 years.
It is reported that the company had 52 UK-based staff members and 26 based overseas.
Diamond Holidays was a strong supporter of industry events. Tim Fleming and Rebecca Dance are seen at last year’s AGTO showcase event.
Organisers of Excursions, the one day travel trade show that took place on Saturday 28 January at Alexandra Palace in north London, says the event is showing “continued growth”.
Now in its 41st year, the show is seen by many in the industry as giving an indication of the health of both the industry, and of trade shows in general.
Two of the volunteers from Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield in Hampshire, encouraging tour planners to take a closer look.Flo Wallace and Fiona Errington from Visit Wiltshire.
Organiser, Tourism South East, says this year’s show attracted around 300 exhibitors from the UK, Ireland and continental Europe and welcomed around 1,150 visitors.
Anna Wilson-Barnes, travel trade marketing manager at Tourism South East, says; “Excursions continues to show steady growth. Remarkably, around 48% of visitors say they were attending the show for the first time, keen to discover what exhibitors had to offer and clearly demonstrating that there is still a huge need for conducting business face-to-face, even in a digital age. There was a great buzz about this year’s show with packed aisles, new contacts being made and business conducted at a high level. We were also very pleased to see so many new and younger visitors, changing some of the long held preconceptions about group travel being just for an older market. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2018.”
The tourism team from the Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands were encouraging visitors to take a step back in time.‘One family – two historic attractions’. Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, and Spetchley Park Gardens in Worcestershire, are only 45 miles apart along the M5. Highlighting group packages were Helen Berryman (left) from Berkeley Castle and Zoe Cope from Spetchley Park Gardens.
Tourism South East chief executive Nigel Smith says: “We’ve consistently sustained visitor numbers over the years. We’ve achieved this by combining database marketing and traditional advertising with free coach transfers, as well as arranging fam trips and bringing in VIP coaches. All added value ways of getting trade visitors to attend. For the first time, AGTO, the Association of Group Travel Organisers, also held its AGM at the show.”
All aboard for Greatdays Travel Group’s new ‘Cruise the World’ musical lunch packages for groups were Claire Buckley and Libby Talbot.Lisa Weaver, groups co-ordinator at Woburn Abbey and Gardens, with Roger and Pauline Bull from RB Travel and Taurus Holidays.
The show is organised by Tourism South East in partnership with London & Partners and Group Leisure magazine.
Excursions 2018 will take place on Saturday 27 January.
For more information, go to www.excursionsshow.com, follow @excursionsshow or visit the show’s Facebook page at ‘Excursions: Group Travel Trade Exhibition’.
Representing Merlin Entertainments were (left to right) Suzie Gildon, Brittany Salas and Joanne Channon.Olivia Horner from The Historic Dockyard Chatham, the home of ‘Call The Midwife’Offering guidance on how to choose a quality coach operator was Simon Smith of CoachMarque, the coach industry’s quality kite mark.
Delegates attending this year’s Coach Holiday Conference found themselves in the company of George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
The annual event, organised by the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), and held this year at the Hilton Bournemouth on Sunday 29 and Monday 30 January, attracted more than 160 coach operators, industry suppliers and guests.
More than 160 delegates, representing coach tour operators, industry suppliers and tourist organisations, gathered at the Hilton Bournemouth
Messrs Clooney and Pitt found themselves centre stage in a memorable presentation from Geoff Ramm, a keen proponent of excellence in customer service and the creator of ‘Celebrity Service’ and ‘OMG’ marketing.
In a 45-minute tour-de-force, delivered without notes, Geoff focused on the fact that although most companies say they “go the extra” mile when talking about customer service, the actual level of service delivery almost always falls short.
Geoff Ramm, offering a few reminders about excellent customer service
Standing in front of a screen filled with an image of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, he asked the audience whether the level of service they offer would change if they knew that Messrs Clooney, Pitt or any really famous celebrity, were to walk into their office tomorrow? He made the very reasonable point that there’s almost certainly a gap between your existing customer service, and what you could deliver if you put your mind to it.
Clooney and Pitt make their appearance
Engaging directly with the audience, he asked. “Do your drivers welcome people aboard the coach with a smile? Have you looked at every single customer touch point to see how you can improve the experience?”
He explained that there’s a tendency for businesses to gloat when a competitor does something wrong.
“Don’t gloat,” he said. “It’s a waste of your time and energy. See it as an opportunity to deliver an even better level of service yourself. And don’t spend too long looking at what your competitors are doing in the first place. Look at different industries. See how they handle customer service.”
This was an inspirational presentation delivered by a master of his message. An indication of just how strong those messages were was evident afterwards when, instead of heading straight to the breakout area for coffee, delegates queued to meet Geoff to hand over a business card in exchange for video examples of his own campaigns.
Peter Stratton from ICT revealed the findings of the biggest-ever survey of the coach tourism sector
The importance of looking at what you do and identifying ways to do it better was picked up by Peter Stratton, managing director of tour wholesaler ICT. Peter was reporting back on the findings of the first ever nationwide Coach Tourism Survey. The survey, commissioned by the CTA at the end of 2016, was sent out by more than 20 CTA coach tour operator members. Magazines (print and online) including Choice, Mature Times and Silver Travel Advisor also issued the survey to their readers while Visit Kent, Bournemouth Tourism and CalMac Ferries issued the survey to their web users.
Geoff Ramm, Peter Stratton (ICT), Denise Bridges (chair, Coach Tourism Association), Deirdre Byrne (Failte Ireland) and Jon Weaver (Bournemouth Tourism)
In total, the survey was issued to more than 430,000 recipients, making it the biggest-ever survey of its kind.
A total of 25,752 responses were received, a response rate of around 6%, significantly up on the usual response rate to surveys of this kind of between 1% and 2%.
Around 65% of recipients were aged 55 to 74, reflecting the core coach tourism market. Around 10% were age 45 to 54, and 18% were over 75. Around 80% had taken a coach holiday during the last five years, leaving 20% who hadn’t. Of those who hadn’t, 48% indicated that for a future choice they would like a fully inclusive tour; 37% said a luxury holiday; and 32% said they would be interested in a special interest holiday.
Of the 80% of recipients who had travelled on a coach holiday in the last five years, 92% said they would be likely to do so again in the next five years. The survey revealed the top five reasons for choosing a coach holiday, in order of popularity, were: destination; modern comfortable coaches; good accommodation; ample leg room on board; and, perhaps surprisingly in fifth place, price.
Chris Wales, chief executive of the Coach Tourism Association, welcomed delegates to this year’s Coach Holiday Conference
Summing up the survey results, Peter Stratton said: “We’re all familiar with the often negative view that coach holidays are for older people. What’s clear from the figures is that far from being a negative, it’s actually a positive. But what’s also clear is that with the growth in the number of older people, the market opportunities are there for the taking. The key benefits of coach holidays identified in this survey: good value; sociable; comfortable; safe; and less hassle than air travel, are likely to prove even more attractive. However, this new so-called baby boomer generation have higher expectations. To capture this new business, the product needs to improve.”
A full analysis of the survey results will be published in the next few weeks.
Jon Weaver from Bournemouth tourism welcomed delegates to the town
Other speakers at the conference included Jon Weaver, head of resort marketing and events at Bournemouth Tourism. He highlighted the town’s many attractions, including the seven miles of sandy beaches, the annual programme of events and festivals, and the extensive gardens. He also highlighted Bournemouth’s neighbours; Poole Harbour, the Jurassic coast and the New Forest.
“We have around 150 attractions on our doorstep,” he said. “From Easter, we’re also introducing new overnight beach lodges. If you’re looking for a destination that mixes the traditional with something new and exciting, come to Bournemouth.”
Deirdre Byrne from Failte Ireland spoke passionately about Ireland’s Ancient East
Deirdre Byrne from Failte Ireland (pronounced follcha) brought delegates up to date on the country’s latest tourism initiative, ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’. With an imaginative strapline ‘wonder through time’, this addition to Ireland’s well established ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ initiative on the west coast aims to reduce the capacity pinch at some of Ireland’s tourism hotspots.
“Ireland’s Ancient East offers iconic experiences and hidden gems,” said Deirdre. “We have 10 story-led itineraries for tour planners to look at and tailor to their own requirements.”
Brian Way (left) of Bournemouth-based Wayahead Travel proved a first class tour guide on the fam trip tthrough the New Forest to Beaulieu. The coach, in the capable hands of driver Simon Gumbleton (right), was provided by Sea View Coaches
On the Sunday afternoon, around 20 delegates took advantage of a ‘fam’ trip to Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum. Brian Way of Bournemouth-based Wayahead Travel proved to be an excellent tour guide on the journey aboard a coach supplied by local operator Sea View Coaches. At Beaulieu, Mandy Lane, Sales and Business Development Manager, welcomed the group with a typical Beaulieu meet and greet, and lunch. A second fam trip a saw delegates make the short walk from the Hilton Bournemouth to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. A raffle held during the dinner on the Sunday evening raised £930 for the CTA’s chosen charity, Something to Look Forward To’.
Delegates enjoyed a fascinating fam visit to Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum
On the Monday, the popular CTA Workshop brought coach tour operators and suppliers together with a full afternoon of scheduled business appointments.
The CTA Workshop brought coach tour operators and suppliers together in scheduled appointments
This was a very successful event bringing coach tour operators and suppliers together in a business and social environment. A special thank you must be made to Bournemouth Tourism and the Hilton Bournemouth for hosting the event. Thanks are also due to Bournemouth Tourism and Tourism Ireland/Failte Ireland/Ireland’s Ancient East for their sponsorship, as well as Plum Publishing/Bus and Coach Professional for designing and producing the Conference print.
Thanks are also due to the support given by the CTA’s 2017 ‘Partners’: Caledonian MacBrayne; Condor Ferries; DFDS, made Tourism Marketing; Towergate Chapman Stevens; and VisitScotland.
For more information about the Coach Tourism Association, and what, as a coach tour operator or supplier, the benefits are in being a member, go to www.coachtourismassociation.co.uk
But one question remains on the table. Just what would you do if you knew that George Clooney and Brad Pitt were going to visit your business tomorrow?
Here’s the shortlist for the British Coach Tourism Awards 2017 – formerly the National Coach Tourism Awards.
For full details of how how to buy tickets for the awards evening on Wednesday 22 March at the National Motorcycle Museum at the NEC, Birmingham, go to www.britishcoachawards.co.uk
Congratulations to all those who made the shortlist.
Coach Friendly Destination of the Year
Beverley
Bournemouth
Plymouth
Poole
Southport
Wells
Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction of the Year
Blenheim Palace
Bodleian Libraries
Chester Zoo
Ripley’s London
The World of James Herriot
West Midland Safari Park
Woburn Abbey and Gardens
European Coach Friendly Attraction – sponsored by DFDS
La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
Efteling Park, the Netherlands
Keukenhof, the Netherlands
Parc Astérix, France
Titanic Belfast, Northern Ireland
Sea, Canal, Inland Riverboat Carrier of the Year
– sponsored by Edward Coaches
Condor Ferries
DFDS
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Sabrina Boat
Stuart Line Cruises
Windermere Lake Cruises
Heritage Railway of the Year
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Accommodation Provider of the Year
Away Resorts – Mill Rythe
Freedom Hotels
Hilton Worldwide
Marriott Hotels
QHotels
Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
The Metropole Hotel and Spa, Llandrindod Wells
Warner Leisure Hotels
Tour Wholesaler of the Year – sponsored by Planet Hollywood & Ripley’s London
Action Tours
Albatross Travel
Greatdays Travel Group
Groups Direct
Hospitality Line
Norman Allen Group Travel
Holiday Programme of the Year
Crusader Holidays
Epsom Coaches
Glenton Holidays
Harry Shaw
Johnsons Coach Travel
Shearings Holidays
Day Excursion Programme of the Year – sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
Eastons Coaches
Epsom Coaches
Gardiners NMC
Walton’s Coach Hire
Whittles Coaches
Accessibility Award
BBC Tours at Mediacity UK
Chester Zoo
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre
Coach Tour Operator Brochure of the Year – sponsored by Hospitality Line
Crusader Holidays
Eastons Coaches
Epsom Coaches
Glenton Holidays
Roberts Travel Group
Rover European
Shearings Holidays
Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year
Advantage Now – ‘Accommodation Service’
Epsom Coaches – ‘Swiftbreaks’
Groups Direct – ‘Ambassador Scheme’
Galloway Coach Travel – ‘School of Rock coach’
Leisuretime – ‘Supporting Wales at Euro 2016’
Visit By Coach – ‘One-stop Passenger Incentives’
Coach Tourism Professional of the Year (team or individual)
Helen Ward, Group Specialist, Groups Direct
Jim McAleese, Good Companions Host, Glenton Holidays
Kevin Miller and Claire MacDonald, Business Partners, Eclipse Breaks
Lisa Weaver, Groups Co-ordinator, Woburn Abbey and Gardens
Martin Slater, National Sales Manager, Greatdays Travel Group
Martyn Stagg, National Coach Sales Manager, Warner Leisure Hotels
Oli Williams, Dance Holidays and Events Co-ordinator, IOW Tours
Coach Tour Driver of the Year – sponsored by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Driver team at Crusader Holidays
Ian George, Shearings Holidays
Paul Hodgkinson, Moffat & Williamson/Glenton
Scotty Law, Blacks of Brechin
Shôn Rees, Midway Motors
Trevor Robson, Scarlet Band
Coach Tour Operator of the Year – Small Fleet (1-5 coaches)
Houghs of Lincolnshire
Kardan Travel
IOW Tours
Tally Ho! Holidays
Coach Tour Operator of the Year – Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches) – sponsored by Roadchef
Bayliss Executive Travel
Crusader Holidays
Eastons Coaches
Highland Explorer Tours
Roberts Travel Group
Whittles Coaches
Coach Tour Operator of the Year – Large Fleet (more than 15 coaches) – sponsored by Wrightsure
Edwards Coach Holidays
Johnsons Coach Travel
Lucketts Travel
Roselyn Coaches
Shearings Holidays
Tourism trends for the year ahead were highlighted at The Tourism Society’s annual ‘Prospects’ briefing held at the offices of The Crown Estate in central London on 17 January.
Delegates heard from a panel of distinguished speakers representing different tourism sectors: Denise Bridges, managing director of Albatross Travel, and chair of the Coach Tourism Association; Richard Nicholls, head of research and forecasting with VisitBritain; Kurt Janson, director of tourism alliance; and Derek Moore, chairman of AITO.
Leading the discussion (l-r) Derek Moore (AITO), Denise Bridges (Albatross Travel/Coach Tourism Association, Noel Josephides (ABTA), Kurt Janson (The Tourism Alliance), and Richard Nicholls (VisitBritain)
The panel was chaired by Noel Josephides, chairman of ABTA.
The panel discussion covered a wide range of topics that will impact on inbound and outbound travel including exchange rates, VAT, the importance of green credentials, ageing demographics, refreshed products, and the Foreign Office.
Richard Nicholls reported that inbound visits to the UK were predicted to rise this year by 4% and spending by 8%. This would generate up to 150,000 new tourism jobs, but there was concern about where the workforce would be found with continuing uncertainty surrounding the movement of workers and Britain’s relationship with the EU. All the panellists agreed that tourism and travel remained good sectors to work in. In addition to the more obvious opportunities for product and marketing roles it was highlighted that there’s also a need for accountants, designers and other skills. With changes ahead in how the UK works with the rest of the world, there are good opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Richard Nicholls from VisitBritain presented key tourism statistics
Delegates were told that the growth in the ‘sharing economy’, notably Airbnb, was starting to have an effect on traditional hotel occupancy rates in major cities.
Denise Bridges said that growth in the domestic market is likely to push up hotel rates, a move that could generate a negative impact on the traditional coach tourism demographic.
Derek Moore told delegates that, in general, people are expecting to pay more for their holidays, but are expecting a high quality in return.
Kurt Janson said that on VAT, while the industry would still like to see a reduction, the government was now more concerned about its balance of payments. With a weaker pound and record visitor numbers in 2015 and 2016 it was harder to present a strong case for a reduction in VAT, so any movement looked unlikely.
The panel discussion included recent news stories about the possibility of a new tourism tax being trialled in tourist hotspots. The point was made that while local authorities see this as an easy way of raising much-needed revenue, in reality, it can dissuade people from staying overnight, so reducing the overall spend at a destination.
Greg Yeoman of The Tourism Society welcomed delegates to the annual ‘Prospects 2017’
Delegates were reminded that older customers will be a key market across all sectors, with time available and money to spend. But while they may feel young at heart these clients will need to be realistic about what they can achieve and operators will have to offer itineraries and facilities that reflect this. Refreshed itineraries, including more experiential and unusual elements, will also be more in evidence as customers choose to do more than just visit a destination.
Delegates were also reminded that operating into continental Europe post-Brexit will still require us to conform to European regulations.
Greg Yeoman, executive director at the Tourism Society, says: “With so much political activity on the horizon it has been a tough job for the speakers this year to give confident and unqualified predictions. The level of debate has been excellent as always, though, and delegates left with plenty of great insights into what will influence their businesses in the months ahead.”
‘Prospects 2017’ was sponsored by BDRC Continental and The Crown Estate.
For more information about The Tourism Society, go to www.tourismsociety.org
