Stuart Render, Author at Stuart Render Tourism

13 Jan

National Express reunion 2019

13 January, 2019
Stuart Render

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The 22nd National Express reunion took place on Friday 11 January at the Wolverhampton Novotel.

More than 80 former managers of National Express, National Travel and assorted and associated bus and coach companies, including this writer, gathered for a evening of good company and good chat.

The event, which has become a key date in the diary for many of us, is organised by Mike Grant. The after-dinner speech was given by Clive Myers, partly to welcome first-timers to the event, and embarrass them suitably, and partly to bring guests up to date with related events from the past year. It was also an opportunity for Clive to say a few words about colleagues who are no longer with us. This year, our thoughts turned to Tom McLachlan of Grey Green who passed away during the year.

The event brings together an eclectic mix of industry professionals, most of whom have retired, but all of whom have played one role or another in the development of National Express and its associated companies.

The photos that follow provide a snapshot of the event.

Photos and words: Stuart Render

Footnote: After an evening of drinking, eating, chatting, and more drinking, departure from the hotel on the Saturday morning for many, this writer included, can often be later rather than earlier. For those who enjoyed a lie-in, their check-out may have been enhanced with the appearance in the reception area of the ‘lovely’ Debbie McGee, perhaps best known as a participant in the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, and wife of the popular entertainer and magician Paul Daniels, sadly no longer with us. She was appearing in ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Sadly, there wasn’t an opportunity to capture a photo of Ms McGee. However, we can be reasonably confident that her eventual departure from Wolverhampton, at the end of her appearance in panto in the city, probably wasn’t by coach.

21 Dec

In memory of Chris Wales – 1947 to 2018

21 December, 2018
Stuart Render

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Chris Wales, the chief executive of the Coach Tourism Association, died on 10 December 2018 after losing his battle with cancer.

Chris’ unique charm and bonhomie brought him into contact with a great many people, not only in the coach tourism community, but also across the travel industry in general.

Here’s a selection of photos of Chris taken by Stuart Render over the last few years at events and on fam trips.

Chris, you’ll be missed.

27 Sep

GB coach and tour operators discover Ireland’s hidden gems

27 September, 2018
Stuart Render

Destination report

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Representatives from GB-based coach and tour operators enjoyed a six-day fact finding familiarisation trip to the island of Ireland in September.

The trip, organised by Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Failte Ireland, began in Belfast. Hosts Northern Ireland Tourism welcomed the group to Belfast Cathedral for a two-and-a-half hour b2b workshop, bringing coach and tour operators together with representatives from the country’s destinations, visitor attractions, hotels and tourism suppliers. A delicious dinner, complete with magnificent musical entertainment from well-known violinist Eimear Bradley, set the scene for the days that followed.

Highlights of two full days in Northern Ireland included a visit to Blessingbourne Country Estate, a relaxing cruise on Lough Erne on the ‘Lady of the Lake’ as part of the exploration of the picturesque Fermanagh Lakelands, a visit underground to see the spectacular Marble Arch Caves, and a tour of the famous Belleek Pottery.

Crossing into the Republic of Ireland, hosts Failte Ireland produced an itinerary focusing on ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’. This included a cookery demonstration at Ghan House in Carlingford, and a visit to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre near Drogheda. There was an opportunity to bake bread, dance a jig, play a bodhran and milk a cow at Causey Farm, and hear about the filming of ‘Braveheart’ at Trim Castle.

But it was a visit to Slane Castle, home to the eponymous distillery, and the location for the famous rock concerts, that provided the biggest surprise. Sitting down to the usual ‘welcome’ video inside the castle, we were greeted on screen by the owner Lord Henry Mountcharles. Sitting in a comfy chair, and seemingly without notes, he told the story of the castle, its destruction by fire, and its restoration. It was a remarkable piece of storytelling, and surprisingly emotional, leaving many of the group, and this writer included, with a tear in the eye.

Slane Castle with, out of shot to the right, Slane Distillery. The castle’s ‘welcome’ video has to be one of the best in any visitor attraction, anywhere!

The main part of the trip ended with a b2b workshop held at Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa.

GB coach and group operators (and a blue-shirted writer and tourism consultant) pose for the Failte Ireland photographer before the start of the full-day b2b workshop

Congratulations to the teams from Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Failte Ireland for a well organised, enjoyable and informative fam trip.

Here are more photos from the visit:

23 Aug

Discover France’s Hidden Waterways with Backwaters Tours

23 August, 2018
Stuart Render

Destination report

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Imagine a relaxing cruise along the rivers, canals and backwaters of France. Now imagine the same peaceful and slow experience but without the “chug, chug, chug” of the traditional diesel engine.

In June 2018, Backwaters Tours introduced a new electric-hybrid boat, the ‘Natalia’, on to the rivers and canals near Auxerre, Sens and Fontainebleau.

The boat forms the focal point of a ‘cruise-tour’ option, with couples, solo travellers or groups booking on one of Backwaters Tours own tours, or on a tour operated by other leading tour operators (including Titan Travel and Saga). Accommodation is in a well-appointed hotel that acts as a base for the duration of the tour. Each morning the coach takes the group to join the boat in a different location. A morning’s cruise includes lunch brought in from a local boulangerie or other local supplier. In the afternoon the group travels by coach to visit a local chateau or historic town. The relaxing ‘slow’ pace of the holiday means the hotel and boat are never more than 45 minutes away from each other.

For more information, and to find out about forthcoming tours, including a trip along the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, go to www.backwaters.tours

At the start of August, Stuart Render experienced a few days on board ‘Natalia’ in the company of a delightful group from Titan Travel. Here are some of the photos from the cruise.

23 Aug

What happens to continental European coach tour operation after Brexit?

23 August, 2018
Stuart Render

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The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) has issued advice to its members relating to the operation of continental European coach tours and private hires after Brexit on 29 March 2019.

Trade magazine routeONE covered the story in its edition dated 22 August 2018 and it is reprinted here for information.

Coaching abroad? Then consider ‘no deal’ Brexit

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has issued advice to members suggesting that they should consider making contingency plans for the possibility of a ‘No deal’ Brexit in March 2019 as it “could impact” the coach industry, for operators carrying people outside the UK.

The CPT says it is not in a position to predict whether there will be a deal or not, but observes that if there is “no deal, and no agreed transitional period,” British coach operators will have no automatic right to carry on the business of transporting passengers on the roads of Europe after 29 March 2019.

There is an agreement (the Interbus agreement) that governs road passenger transport between the EU and most of its neighbours. This allows coach operators from Ukraine, Albania, Turkey etc to bring passengers into Europe and take them home again. Cabotage is not allowed, but negotiations are in progress to expand the agreement to include regular services.

It will be possible for the UK to become a party to the agreement in its own right immediately on leaving the EU, but it is not a certainty that operations can be carried under Interbus if they become illegitimate as a result of a no-deal Brexit. It would be possible for one or more bilateral agreements to be negotiated between the UK and other countries – such as the one that currently exists with Belarus – but no guarantee that this will be done in time for a seamless transition.

The CPT says: “If you are taking hire bookings, or selling holidays, that involve coach travel in Europe after 29 March 2019 you might like to consider contractual terms with your customers that allow you to subcontract all or part of the coach travel to an operator based outside the UK that is able to continue operating on the Continent. You might want to take legal advice on where the various contracts in the chain are best made and the consequences of the various options.”

In the airline industry, which faces a similar risk from a no-deal scenario, some operators are selling tickets for travel after 29 March with a clause that limits their liability to a refund in the event of it being impossible for them to carry the passenger for the journey they have booked.

www.routeone.net

27 Jul

Hilton Blackpool acquired by Britannia Hotels

27 July, 2018
Stuart Render

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Only a few months after being sold to the Starwood Capital Group, the Hilton Blackpool has been acquired by Britannia Hotels, and had a name change, twice.

In March 2018, Starwood, a global private investment firm, acquired a portfolio of seven Hilton-branded hotels from Park Hotels and Resorts (a Hilton company) in a deal understood to be worth £135m.

At that point, the 278-bed, 4-star hotel was being managed by Kew Green Hotels under a franchise agreement with Hilton Worldwide.

On 21 June, just three months later, the Blackpool Gazette reported that the hotel website was carrying the following message: “Please note that as of 26 June 2018, Hilton Blackpool will cease to operate as a Hilton hotel.” The hotel management was reported to be “remaining tight-lipped over who would be taking over”.

On 26 June, the Gazette carried photos showing the hotel without its Hilton branding. The report indicated that Hilton would cease operations at the site at midnight but that the hotel would remain open. The Gazette noted that there was still no word on who the new occupier of the building would be.

Two days later, on 28 June, the Gazette carried a story with the headline ‘Concern over new operator of former Blackpool Hilton’. It revealed that the hotel had been taken over by Cheshire-based Britannia Hotels (on 27 June). The newspaper reported concerns raised by civic leaders. Blackpool council leader Councillor Simon Blackburn was reported as saying that Britannia would not be their choice of hotel partner. Conservative group leader Counciller Tony Williams was reported as saying that Britannia catered to a “very different market” to that which Hilton attracted.”

It is unclear why Starwood chose to dispose of the hotel so soon after acquiring it. Starwood has been approached for a comment.

Britannia immediately renamed the hotel the Grand Hotel Blackpool. However, an online search for the hotel on hotel websites Booking.com and Expedia reveals the hotel listed under the name ‘Blackpool Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa’.

To try and clarify the situation, Britannia Hotels was contacted for an explanation. Within two hours a response was received from the central reservations team confirming that the name for the former Hilton Blackpool is ‘Blackpool Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa’. The email indicated that the website, which shows the hotel as the Grand Hotel Blackpool, will be updated soon. It is not known why Britannia has chosen to rename the hotel.

The hotel opened in 1982 as ‘The Pembroke’. It became the Stakis Blackpool in 1996 before becoming part of the Hilton group in 1999. The hotel was put up for sale in 2013 but no buyer was found. Park Hotels and Resorts was formed in January 2017 as a spin-off of Hilton.

As at today, 27 July 2018, Britannia Hotels’ website shows a portfolio of 60 properties. Its latest acquisitions, listed at www.britanniahotels.com/new-hotels are:
Grand Hotel Blackpool (to be updated to read Blackpool Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa)
Grand Hotel Sunderland
Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club, Baildon, West Yorkshire
Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Norwich
Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club, Southampton
Grand Hotel Gosforth Park Newcastle

For more information about Britannia Hotels, go to www.britanniahotels.com

20 Jun

Coach and group tourism in London under threat

20 June, 2018
Stuart Render

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The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) has given a clear message to the Mayor of London that the early implementation of the Euro 6 emission standard in the existing central London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) in 2019, combined with the introduction of an expanded LEZ in 2020, will seriously impact on coach and group tourism in the capital.

coach and group tourism — It’s probably won’t come to this, but the coach and bus industry is far from happy with the Mayor of London’s plans to introduce stricter vehicle emission standards without giving adequate time for coach and bus operators to replace or retrofit their vehicles

On 8 April 2019, central London changes from being an LEZ and becomes an ULEZ, an Ultra-Low Emissions Zone. This will require the Euro 6 emission standard for coaches and buses. A daily charge of £100 will be levied against any coaches and buses that aren’t compliant.

From 26 October 2020 the existing London-wide (LEZ), an area roughly the area inside the M25, will require coaches and buses to be Euro 6 to avoid daily charges of £300.

The coach and bus industry is concerned that the time scales do not allow time for coach and bus operators with older vehicles to either replace or retrofit engines in order to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Facing this insurmountable challenge, many operators are understood to be considering increasing their prices to allow for the daily charges for non-compliant vehicles. These increases will have to be passed on to the customer. While operators believe that many customers will pay the extra charge, there is concern that overall, passenger numbers may drop, affecting both operators and the London visitor economy.

Commenting on the announcement, Simon Posner, CPT chief executive, says: “CPT has been engaged with transport for London (TfL) and industry partners for many years on a number of air quality and congestion reducing initiatives for London. A delegation of industry representatives, led by CPT, expressed their concerns in a meeting with the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, who clearly understood the industry’s position and acknowledged that any expansion to the ULEZ would present many operators with an insurmountable problem.

“CPT remains convinced that the expansion of ULEZ, in addition to the early introduction of the scheme in the central area, will have a serious impact on day-to-day coach operations as well as a detrimental impact on London’s tourism economy. While we continue to support the Mayor’s plans to improve London’s air quality, penalising visiting coaches which are part of the solution and not the problem is not the way to go about it.

“Buses and coaches are key to reducing pollution, alleviating congestion and providing quicker journey times in the capital, and it is extremely disappointing that this announcement fails to recognise the role that these important modes have to play. CPT and the coach industry plans to meet with the incoming Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, in order to help find a workable solution for London, its tourism economy and visiting coaches.”

From 25 October 2021 the ULEZ is due to be extended to cover all of London inside the North and South Circular Roads.

A report commissioned by CPT found that London’s economy benefited around £186m from coach tourism.

29 May

Sweet success for ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’

29 May, 2018
Stuart Render

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A new travel trade initiative introduced by Visit Southport to attract more groups to the town is being hailed a success, with interest up around 15% year-on-year.

‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’ was launched at the British Tourism & Travel Show in March. Developed jointly with coach tourism consultancy Stuart Render Tourism, the initiative offers a range of inspiring ideas for a bespoke 4-night itinerary for groups. It gives group travel organisers and coach tour operators the opportunity to combine the town’s many attractions with visits to attractions in the surrounding area.

Steve Christian, destination development manager with Visit Southport says that the initiative has been one of the most successful trade campaigns in recent years.

“In 2017 Southport went through a re-branding exercise, introducing a new strapline ‘Different Every Time’. When we were looking for ideas for a trade campaign to support the new branding, we came up with ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’. We launched it at the British Tourism & Travel Show where, I’m delighted to say, it seems to have captured the attention of GTOs and coach tour operators in a way we haven’t seen for many years.

“The level of interest has far exceeded our expectations. Supported by our trade media advertising and PR activity the flow of enquiries coming into our trade team is around 15% up year-on-year. What we’re hearing is that while most GTOs and coach operators know about Southport, they hadn’t really given much thought about coming to visit. They’re telling us that not only does the ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix product stand out, but it also makes it so much easier to understand what the group offer is.”

The ‘Southport ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’ attractions and destinations that groups can visit in the surrounding area include WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre near Ormskirk, the National Trust’s Formby Beach, Samlesbury Hall near Preston, The World of Glass in St Helens, Ena Mill and The Courtyard, Tarleton, and a full day out in Liverpool.

The launch of ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’ follows on from the introduction of the ‘Southport Welcome’, an initiative launched at the end of 2016 to remind coach operators tour planners why the seaside destination is coach and group friendly.

For more information and to obtain a free copy of ‘Southport ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’, email steve.christian@sefton.gov.uk. For more information about Southport, go to www.visitsouthport.com

29 May

New Lanark Mill Hotel celebrates 20th anniversary with 4-star rating from VisitScotland

29 May, 2018
Stuart Render

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New Lanark Mill Hotel, situated at the heart of New Lanark Mills World Heritage Site in Scotland, has received a 4-star grading from VisitScotland.

The accolade comes at the same time as the hotel is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

A two-year investment programme of around £350,000 has seen all 38 bedrooms refurbished to a modern, contemporary style. All the bedrooms look out onto the River Clyde or the surrounding conservation area. The hotel features a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room, the Mill One restaurant, a bar and spacious lounges.

The move from a 3-star to a 4-star rating doesn’t affect existing group rates, which remain unchanged.

The hotel building was originally one of the four mills that made up New Lanark Village, the 18^th century cotton mill village set alongside the River Clyde, now less than one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh. By the 1990s, ‘Mill No. 1’ was in an advance working state of disrepair. The New Lanark Trust made the welcome decision to restore the building and turn it into a hotel. After many years of painstaking work the hotel opened in May 1998.

Commenting on the 4-star rating, John Stirrat, the hotel’s general manager, says: “Over the last two years we’ve invested heavily in the hotel, so I’m absolutely delighted that VisitScotland has awarded us its prestigious 4-star rating. This isn’t just about the building of course, but testament to all the staff who work here. In January this year we launched ‘Spinning a New Yarn’, a new travel trade campaign to raise awareness of what we have to offer groups. That has encouraged more group travel organisers and coach tour operators to take a closer look at what we have to offer. Our new 4-star rating looks set to make the hotel even more attractive to groups wanting to experience the delight of waking up in a World Heritage Site.”

New Lanark Mills World Heritage Site is set in a beautiful location alongside the picturesque River Clyde and the nearby ‘Falls of Clyde’ waterfalls. Visitors can discover Scotland’s hidden past and see how villagers lived, learned and worked with recreated millworkers’ houses, historic working machinery and the ‘Annie McLeod Experience’, a ‘dark ride’ that tells the story of a child millworker. The Mill Shop offers an extensive range of contemporary gifts, souvenirs, Scottish produce and the New Lanark Wool & Textiles range.

25 May

Stuart Render Tourism launches press release-writing service for coach operators

25 May, 2018
Stuart Render

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Coach tourism consultancy Stuart Render Tourism has launched a new press release-writing service for small and medium-sized coach operators.

The new service aims to offer professional support for those coach operators that want to raise their profile in the local and regional media but who don’t necessarily have the time or knowledge to carry out that activity for themselves.

As part of the new service, operators will also be given professional advice and guidance on generating more positive PR stories to help enhance their reputation in their local communities.

The introduction of the new service builds on work carried out by the consultancy with destinations, visitor attractions and tourism suppliers to attract more coaches and groups.

“Talking with coach operators I’ve found that when it comes to shouting about their good news, they can find that writing a press release, or coming up with ideas that will generate positive PR, presents a real challenge,” says Stuart Render. “Whether it’s talking about a new coach, staff successes, the latest tour programme or a new product, this new service offers a low-cost solution that will enable operators to promote their successes and maximise positive PR opportunities.”

For more information, call Stuart on 07760 172773, or email stuart@stuartrendertourism.co.uk

Author: Stuart Render

National Express reunion 2019

In memory of Chris Wales – 1947 to 2018

GB coach and tour operators discover Ireland’s hidden gems

Discover France’s Hidden Waterways with Backwaters Tours

What happens to continental European coach tour operation after Brexit?

Hilton Blackpool acquired by Britannia Hotels

Coach and group tourism in London under threat

Sweet success for ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’

New Lanark Mill Hotel celebrates 20th anniversary with 4-star rating from VisitScotland

Stuart Render Tourism launches press release-writing service for coach operators

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