The UK travel trade descended on one of the top attractions in the country for a special group booking event this week.

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, see https://www.thenma.org.uk/ was the quality venue for the latest Group Buyer Forum event, arranged by group travel company Steve Reed Tourism Ltd from Hampshire in association with Group Travel World magazine.

Attracting exhibitors from far and wide - Visit Exeter from Devon and River Escapes from Newcastle upon Tyne were typical of the great spread - the 40-plus attractions, destinations and hotels met GTOs and coach and tour operators face to face in a business-like setting. The venue was the brand new Aspects conference facility in the NMA, and Blue Badge Guide Roger Bailey was involved in the event, see https://www.tourist-guides.net/bluebadgecov/

Classic Lodges Hotels hosted some of the buyers the night before at their flagship Charingworth manor Hotel in the Cotswolds, https://www.classiclodges.co.uk/ And the operators enjoyed a visit to popular attraction Compton Verney, https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/ Many of the attendees at the NMA also took in a special afternoon tea and Factory Tour at the World of Wedgwood, https://www.worldofwedgwood.com/

‘We were so pleased to work with the National Memorial Arboretum with regard to our Group Buyer Forum,’ says Steve Reed. ‘Lots of enquiries, positive leads and real bookings were achieved on the day. Although the weather was very kind to us and the parkland and gardens looked truly sublime, the new Aspects facility at the NMA helped make the event a big success.’

The next group booking event is the Group Buyer Forum at Painshill Park in Surrey on Monday 29th April. Tour planners or exhibitors wishing to attend should email steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk