The Coach Tourism Association’s recent Winter Networking Event attracted over 160 delegates from the UK coach tourism sector, with CTA members reporting new business development for future trips and tours.

Based at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool from 23-25 November, the event included networking sessions between industry buyers and suppliers. A Supplier Showcase also matched coach tour operators and wholesalers with hotels, attractions, destinations and service providers to formalise new tourism products.

“Strong attendance from operators and wholesalers in Blackpool has driven excellent participation from high-quality suppliers,” says CTA Chair, Robert Shaw. “CTA operators were delighted with the opportunities to create new trips and tours. For suppliers, CTA Winter Networking was a demonstration of the commercial value of attending our industry’s most important business generation event.”

Ahead of the event’s networking dinner, the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Peter Hunter, addressed the CTA delegation in praise of coach tourism, speaking of the importance of coach tourism spend for the resort.

Providing an update on attractions from the area with fam trips, CTA Winter Networking included an Afternoon Tea experience in the spectacular setting of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, courtesy of Merlin Entertainments. CTA delegates also visited Merlin’s High Jinx circus, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, and Sea Life Blackpool Aquarium.

“The weekend showed the importance of hosting fam visits to meet coach tourism operators face-to-face to closely understand the needs of coach tour customers,” says Suzie Gildon of  Merlin Entertainments. “Participation in CTA Winter Networking generated a lot of new interest in our attractions and we look forward to partnering with many new coach operators as a result.”

The weekend also took in a visit to the National Trust’s Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk, as well as VisitBlackpool’s Christmas by the Sea festive event.

The event sponsors included Irish Ferries, Merlin Entertainments, CN Live Productions and Visit Blackpool. Bretherton’s Gold Line Tours provided transport for the fam trip.

CTA’s next event is the sector’s most important annual occasion, the CTA Conference & Workshop 2025, taking place 8-11 February 2025 in Stratford-upon-Avon. The event is open to all CTA members, and non-members interested in joining the organisation should contact admin@coachtourismassociation.co.uk