Solo travel as part of a group is thriving, according to Debbie Marshall, managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, the website for the over 50s mature traveller.
She was presenting to members of the Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) at the AGTO Showcase Weekend 2020 that took place at the end of February at Ettington Chase Hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Debbie Marshall (left), managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, Helen Peters (centre), chief executive of Shakespeare’s England, and Wendy Hartley-Scarff (right), chief executive of AGTO
She told the 115 delegates
that a growing number of solo travellers are choosing to travel on their own but
as part of a group, often because they no longer have a partner to travel with,
or by choice, either choosing to travel with girlfriends or simply because
their partner doesn’t want to go with them.
She explained that around
a quarter of people surveyed by Silver Travel Advisor said that the benefit of
travelling with an organised group was because it allowed them to travel as a
single person but have someone else organise everything for them. A third of
respondents said that having everything organised for them would encourage them
to travel with a group.
This year’s AGTO Showcase
Weekend included presentations from Helen Peters, chief executive of
Shakespeare’s England, who said that renewed efforts are being made to
encourage visitors to stop-over in the region rather than simply visit on a day
trip. Shakespeare’s England also arranged four familiarisation trips that
included Warwick and Kenilworth Castles, the British Motor Museum and
Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
AGTO GTO and Associate members enjoying a fam trip to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon
The popular AGTO
Associates’ Exhibition saw around 60 tourism suppliers meeting with GTO members
from around the UK. A highlight of the event was the Gala Dinner, sponsored by
made Tourism Marketing with a 1920s ‘Peaky Blinders’ theme. The prize for ‘Best
Dressed’ guest went to Matt Coulter from the groups and travel trade team at
Historic Royal Palaces.
Matt Coulter of Historic Royal Palaces won the prize for ‘best dressed’ at the ‘Peaky Blinders’-themed gala dinner. The dinner was sponsored by made Tourism Marketing. Matt (centre) is joined by Jonathan Mountford (left), managing director of made Tourism Marketing, Wendy Hartley-Scarff, chief executive of AGTO, and two 1920s flapper dancers
Commenting on the event,
AGTO chief executive Wendy Hartley-Scarff says: “The annual AGTO Showcase
Weekend provides a catalyst for GTOs and our Associate supplier members to
network and socialise. This year’s programme, supported by Shakespeare’s
England, made Tourism Marketing and Cruise & Maritime Voyages, provided our
GTO members with lots of inspiration and ideas to take back to their groups. It
also gave our Associate supplier members the opportunity to find out more about
the changing expectations of group travel organisers.”
The Association of Group Travel Organisers is an independent organisation
representing the interests of those who organise tours and trips for groups as
well as those who provide services for group travel. The Association has over
400 group travel organiser members and around 250 supplier members.
The Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) has appointed Wendy Hartley-Scarff as its new chief executive.
She will take up the position later this month. In her new role she will be responsible for developing the future strategy of AGTO, including membership, events and marketing communications.
Wendy Hartley-Scarff has been appointed chief executive of the Association of Group Travel Organisers
In a career spanning over 25 years, she has held senior positions in the travel industry at Reed Travel Exhibitions (World Travel Market), Stena Line and National Car Rental. She also has extensive experience of dealing with trade associations and tourist boards and served on the board of the Institute of Travel & Tourism for 10 years.
She succeeds Mike Bugsgang who stood down from the role after a three-year term of office at the end of December 2017.
Commenting on the appointment, AGTO Director, David Steele, says: “I’m delighted we have secured the services of Wendy Hartley-Scarff, she brings with her a wealth of experience covering the inbound, outbound and domestic tourism markets. Her contacts within these sectors will be highly beneficial to the Association. She will be introduced to our members at the forthcoming AGM at the Excursions show in London on 27 January.”
Wendy Hartley-Scarff says: “The groups market makes a huge contribution to the UK’s tourism economy and offers great potential for expansion. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to join AGTO at such an exciting time in the organisation’s development.”
AGTO is a nationwide trade body that has been representing the interests of group organisers as well as those who provide services for group travel, for over 25 years. The Association has seven branches around the UK. There are more than 600 members comprising mainly group organisers but also suppliers to the groups market.
The Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) held its 25th Anniversary Showcase Weekend on 28 to 30 October. The venue was QHotels’ Dunston Hall Hotel near Norwich.
On the Friday afternoon, AGTO CEO Mike Bugsgang introduced presentations from Pete Waters, Executive Director with Visit East Anglia, and Jason Triandafyllou, from marketing agency Designate. This was followed by a Networking Showcase with Associate Members (suppliers) giving delegates the opportunity to find out more about latest products and services.
On the Friday evening, delegates enjoyed an informal dinner, with magical entertainment by Roy Davenport from Davenport’s Magic Kingdom, and Rachel King, a very talented multi-instrumentalist.
On the Saturday, delegates took advantage of three familiarisation trips. The first visited Cromer where a Halloween open day was being held in the Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier. The photos below reveal some of the Halloween characters that popped up during the visit. The trip then travelled along the north Norfolk coast to Sandringham House. The second fam visited Norwich Cathedral, Banham Zoo and Melford Hall. The third fam visited Wroxham Barns and Great Yarmouth and its pleasure beach, with a Southern Comfort Paddle Boat trip on the Broads. The very well turned out coaches and drivers were provided by Eastons Coaches.
On the Saturday evening, in partnership with the event’s main sponsor, made tourism marketing, delegates were entertained by West End stars Emma Hatton (‘Wicked’) and Oliver Tompsett (‘Guys and Dolls’).
Here’s a selection of photos from the weekend taken by Stuart Render and Mike Bugsgang. The photos can also be seen at www.facebook.com/stuartrendertourism.
,
Welcome team at Norwich station: Royston Hanks and Maria Maltby. On the right is Colin Hayman from the event transport provider, Eastons Coaches
QHotels’ Dunston Hall Hotel
The AGTO registration team
Swapping their sea legs for time ashore! Ellie Fulcher and Sophie Austin from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines check in
GTOs James and Marilyn Sylvester take time to enjoy the pianist in the hotel lounge. He seems to be enjoying it too.
AGTO CEO Mike Bugsgang gets the Friday afternoon presentations under way
Mike Bugsgang welcomes members, associates and guests
Pete Waters, Executive Director with Visit East Anglia
Jason Triandafyllou from marketing agency Designate offered a few thoughts on attracting new business
AGTO Board members Tina Price (Blueprint Travel Media), Mike Bugsgang, Natalie Browne (made tourism marketing) and Brian Langford (Lucketts Travel) with delegates promoting the recently introduced ‘Ambassador’ scheme.
The Friday afternoon networking showcase gave AGTO Associates the opportunity to highlight new products and services. This is Tim Fleming and Rebecca Dance from Diamond Holidays
Stuart Parker from InterChoice Holidays
Helen Mulry and Stefania Lazurca from HF Holidays
Feet firmly on dry land, Ellie Fulcher and Sophie Austin from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
The smiling duo of David Lote and Harold Burke from Just for Groups!
Ollie Burton from BBC Tours
Claire Burgin, Sarah Holt (editor) and Sue Fletcher from Group Leisure Magazine
Brian Langford from Lucketts Travel.
Bobby Szente from Ripley’s Believe it or Not! London.
Jo Thomson from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, catching up on a bit of product
Jackie Cook and Lesley McDermott from Success Tours
Lianne Messis and Tricia Regan from South Quay Travel
Sophie Dennington from Potters Resort with one of the GTOs
Hilary Christmas from Norman Allen Group Travel
Amanda Casey and Agata Rusinek from the family-owned and run Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, with GTO Jill White
Roy Davenport, from Davenport’s Magic Kingdom, tries to confound GTO Len White
Sue Day from West Midland Safari Park with GTO Keith Prince
More smiling faces. GTO Bob Walker, centre, with Mark Wilson and John Bullock from Rondo Travel
Adrian Millan from Switzerland Travel Centre
David Townend from Constantinou Bros Hotels Cyprus offers some refreshment to GTO Clive Roylance
Amy O’Donovan from Royal Museums Greenwich with GTOs
Daryl Bennett from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Siobhan Harrison from English Heritage
Lesley Terrell from Historic Royal Palaces
Sergio Cicalo from Encore Tickets with a GTO
Down at ground level for a change is Lucy Hillyard from the View from the Shard
Clearly delighted to be hosting the event is Alan Lloyd from QHotels
Paul Palmer from Collette
Bernard Jones from TLH Leisure Resort with GTO Enid Pamment
Graham Hopcraft (left) from Condor Ferries with GTOs. Among the usual leaflets and brochures was a perfume display. The message was clear. Travelling to Guernsey for a day trip means that you could buy perfume on board and save money. A nice bit of creative thinking for a stand display, and it certainly caught the attention of GTOs, and other suppliers.
Family affair! Mary and Lesley Marshall from Tripcenter
John Gibbs from Gosport Tourism
Simon Dodds and Tina Price from Blueprint Travel Media
Bobby Szente and Mike Bugsgang
Multi-instrumentalist Rachel King entertained on the Friday evening with violin, alto sax, pan pipes and clarinet
Called up on stage, Sergio Cicalo looks set for a soaking as Roy Davenport performs the ‘glass full of water’ trick. Sergio emerged unscathed, and dry, from the ordeal
Lesley Terrell handles an ‘invisible egg’. No comment!
The very nicely presented vehicles of Eastons Coaches prepare to leave Dunston Hall on the Saturday familiarisation trips. Nice bit of parking chaps!
“Yes, I’m definitely on this coach.”
Excellent presentation from Eastons
A beautiful sunny day at Cromer Pier
Traditional Punch and Judy show on Cromer Pier
It was a Halloween Open Day at Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre. The tour guide for a behind-the-scenes tour was Deb Lewis, Box Office Manager, and part-time ghoul
“He’s behind you!” GTOs hear from Deb Lewis about Cromer’s famous ‘End of the Pier Show’
Lurking under the Pavilion Theatre stage, and making occasional forays into the auditorium, was the ‘Theatre ghost’. We asked for her name. She didn’t tell us. Well, ghosts can’t speak!
Oh these theatre people! Another member of the Pavilion Theatre team enters into the Halloween spirit. Perhaps he saw us coming!
All aboard for the journey via the scenic north Norfolk coast to Sandringham House
The team at Sandringham House laid on a delightful afternoon tea
Two days after this visit, Sandringham House closed for the winter, and to prepare for the arrival of the Queen.
Even the visitor shuttle is posh at Sandringham
There’s a fascinating collection of the royal Rolls’ and other official cars from over the years
Ah, the official photograph. A few of the group at the end of their day out to Cromer, the north Norfolk coast and Sandringham House
Meanwhile, over at Banham Zoo…
Sunshine on the Norfolk Broads
It’s the law. Wherever GTOs gather, there has to be a group photo!
Melford Hall
Norwich Cathedral
No group photo, but a tour guide in full flow on the walking tour of Norwich
On the Saturday evening it was time to celebrate AGTO’s 25th anniversary
A selection of photos of GTOs, Associates (suppliers) and guests arriving for the anniversary dinner. Cheers!
Inside the function room: Sergio Cicalo, Robert Easton, Maggie Wright and David Steele
Sue Day and Stuart Parker
Stefania Lazurca, Helen Mulry and Harold Burke
Agata Rusinek and Amanda Casey from the family-owned and run Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, the ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’
GTO delegates
David and Jane Lote and GTO delegates
GTO delegates
Graham Hopcraft and Alan Lloyd
Ellie Fulcher, Sophie Austin and Ollie Burton
Lesley Terrell and Lucy Hillyard
Bobby Szente with Jonathan Mountford (left) and Adam Reeves from main sponsor made tourism marketing
Mike Bugsgang with Natalie Browne and Jonathan Mountford from main sponsor made tourism marketing
West End royalty. Oliver Tompsett (Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls) and Emma Hatton (Elphaba in Wicked) provided first class entertainment perfoming two sets of songs from West End musicals
Congratulations AGTO! Here’s to the next 25 years.
