The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) is encouraging operators, wholesalers and industry suppliers to book for its Summer Networking event in Hertfordshire on Sunday 23 and Monday 24 July.

Sponsored by Visit Herts as well as VisitScotland, the business development weekend includes a fam trip and supplier networking event. The programme also hosts a special seminar on the industry’s transition to zero-emission coaches, aimed at operators as well as supplier venues and locations.

The event is based at the DoubleTree by Hilton London Elstree and Sunday’s agenda includes a fam trip of Hatfield House. A lunch at the historic venue followed by a tour of the house and its 40-acre gardens will explain the 400-year history, including the location for much of Elizabeth I’s childhood.

Returning to the hotel, a reception of local suppliers is followed by a networking dinner with the opportunity to meet new members. On Monday, a CTA Supplier Member Showcase enables operators and wholesalers to meet suppliers, ranging from hotels, attractions and destinations, through to service providers, to develop new product for tours and trips.

“Coach tourism is an important market for Hertfordshire, so we’re delighted to be hosting CTA’s Summer Networking event, showcasing to coach operators the breadth of amazing attractions, destinations, and accommodation we have on offer,” says Deirdre Wells of VisitHerts.

“From historic venues such as Hatfield House and stunning gardens across the county, to our Herts, Camera, Action! film and TV tours, Hertfordshire has a great deal to offer coach groups, and CTA’s event will present operators and wholesalers with an excellent overview of these facilities.”

The event is also sponsored by CTA Partner Member, VisitScotland. Denise Hill, Head of Intermediary Marketing at VisitScotland says: “At VisitScotland we are committed to developing Scotland as a leading responsible tourism destination, and an important part of this is working with industry to support the transition to net zero. After hosting the first CTA Summer Networking event in Scotland last year, we are pleased again to sponsor the event with a focus this year on sustainability.

“Coach tourism that delivers a spread of visitors throughout the year and locations across Scotland, while at the same time working to drive down carbon emissions, can help us achieve this. We are looking forward to attending the event and collaborating with CTA and partners on this shared ambition.”

Monday also includes a special seminar on the journey towards zero-emission (ZE) coaches. This event is highly relevant to coach operators and will include speakers from Yutong and Equipmake to discuss the latest updates and potential in vehicles and technology. The seminar will also be important for attractions and destinations as it explains the developments and implications of charging infrastructure and needs for ZE coaches.

“The transition to ZE coaches will be an historic step for the coach tourism industry but there is clearly a lot of work still to do,” says Robert Shaw, CTA’s Chair. “Already, travel by coach is more environmentally friendly than travel by car, train, or aeroplane, and the ZE transition will push the industry’s environmental sustainability further still. There are some important steps for all stakeholders in coach tourism, including attractions and destinations, to take before then, so this seminar will be a very useful event for all CTA members.”

To view the event itinerary and to book, visit coachtourismassociation.co.uk