The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) has appointed Helen Bowron, pictured here, to the new position of Communications Director.

Helen has extensive experience of the group travel industry, including working with an inbound ground handler, a Japanese wholesaler, a scheduled American Tour Operator and a wide range of online intermediaries. Helen will continue as a director of her own consultancy, TVL.

“I am honoured to be representing coach tourism, a sector within which I have worked for most of my career," says Helen. "In an age of rapid change, coach tourism represents much of what is good and stable in our industry. CTA members add value by caring for and informing their clients, as well as giving them outstanding value. I particularly look forward to outlining the benefits of membership to prospective members and working with the CTA members.

CTA chair John Wales adds: “I am thrilled that we have secured Helen for this key role. Her extensive experience and organisational skills will be invaluable to the association and will help us communicate the core messages about the value of coach tourism and the professionalism and dynamism of our CTA members.”

The CTA has a membership of more than 300, nearly half of whom are coach tour operators and tour wholesalers. The other half of the membership is made up of industry suppliers and other organisations, including attractions, hotel groups, tourist, ticket agencies and ferry operators, as well as professional advisers and B2B companies.

The CTA brings the two sides of the industry together as the only UK-wide association that actively promotes coach tourism and delivers key benefits to operators and suppliers.

Helen is already contacting members and potential members and will be attending the forthcoming CTA Conference & Workshop being held at the Hallmark Cambridge on 24-26 February. “The Conference & Workshop is a highlight of the CTA calendar,” adds Helen, “and I am looking forward to meeting many of our members there as they make the most of this unique coach tourism networking opportunity.”