The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) is inviting coach operators to attend CTA Spring Networking in Oxford on 19 and 20 May. The event will give coach operators the potential to develop business by enhancing their trip and tour programmes, and will also provide the latest digital marketing insights.
CTA’s Spring Networking event will include an expert-led, artificial intelligence (AI) marketing for tourism seminar, plus a zero-emission pathway update seminar. These sessions will take place alongside a Supplier Showcase, exclusive fam trips, plus business networking.
The UK’s leading coach tourism organisation is also encouraging attendance from industry suppliers, including hotels, attractions, and service providers. Suppliers to coach tourism operators will be able to make new business connections and present their latest offers.
“CTA’s Spring Networking has been designed with coach operator input, and securing business growth is the main objective,” says Robert Shaw, CTA Chair, and Director of coach tour operator, Harry Shaw. “The special programme of new fam trips will give operators the opportunity to add exciting product. Meanwhile, the event’s business sessions, including the AI digital marketing seminar and zero emission update, will enable operators to learn the latest insights to drive commercial opportunities.”
Based at the Holiday Inn Oxford, CTA’s Spring Networking features several fam trips including a special visit to Blenheim Palace, with travel provided by Johnsons Coaches. Event attendees will have access to the biggest exhibition in Blenheim’s history, Icons of Fashion, including famous names such as Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, and Barbour.
This year also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at Blenheim Palace, and Spring Networking delegates can learn more about Churchill-themed events taking place. Blue Badge Guide, Roger Bailey, will also lead event attendees on an expert guided tour at the venue.
Fam trips also include a tour of The Bodleian Library, central to the academic prowess of Oxford, where delegates can learn more about the library’s heritage, such as former patrons including monarchs, Prime Ministers, and literary greats. Spring Networking also includes an optional visit to Oxford Castle and Prison, presenting a guided tour with over 1,000 years of history, as well as offering panoramic views over the city.
The event’s Supplier Showcase will give operators the opportunity to meet new suppliers, while the seminar session includes a focus on digital marketing and the potential of AI. Manu Kastia, founder of Digital Dialog, marketing experts specialising in the tourism sector, will explain how AI in marketing can be pivotal to present new product and attract more customers.
Dan Hayes from Zemo Partnership, which brings government, industry, and experts together to accelerate transport to zero emissions, will also present an update on the zero emission pathway for coaches, as well as a focus on infrastructure at tourist attractions and destinations.
To find out more about CTA Spring Networking and to book, visit this CTA website link
With two bank holidays and a half-term, May is the perfect time for everyone to come together and enjoy fun May days by the sea at Dreamland, Margate. There are rides, roller coasters, roller skating, street food and fun to be had at Margate’s famous Dreamland with free park entry.
For 2024, alongside the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster, the scenic railway, and the iconic big wheel, a variety of new additions have joined the line up, including the all-new pirate ship, Noah’s ark and cups and saucers. Rides are operated on a pay per ride basis, with ride token bundles available.
Families and friends can enjoy the delights of the retro roller disco, the popular arcade and amusements plus food and drink, provided by the renowned street food aficionados, KERB in collaboration with LevyUK & Ireland.
May will also see the return of Dog Day – free to enter, guests are invited to enjoy a day out at Dreamland with their four-legged pal. Activities include agility courses (priced at £1.50 per pooch), free films on the Scenic Screen, an array of gifts and treats from stallholders and free doggy ice cream at Rosco’s Ice Cream from midday (whilst stocks last).
Dreamland continues to build its reputation as the South Coast’s most exciting live music venue. Live performances in May include English singer, songwriter, poet and political activist Billy Bragg (10 May), From The Jam (11 May) perform hits and fan favourites of The Jam, and the sold-out Recessland (25 May) welcomes everyone to come together to dance, socialise and celebrate the richness of Black British culture.
Dreamland is now open and free to enter on weekends (excluding Sat 25th May which is a ticketed live music event) plus Monday 6 May and every day from Monday 27 May - Sunday 2 June.
For details of what’s going on at Dreamland, opening times and more information visit dreamland.co.uk
Discover Newmarket will now manage Visitor Services on behalf of the National Horseracing Museum in an exciting new partnership agreed this month. The tourism organisation for the home of horseracing has entered into a formal partnership to look after all commercial aspects of the Museum including its day-to-day management.
The experience and expertise brought by Discover Newmarket’s team and its steering group, which includes representatives from The Jockey Club, National Stud, Juddmonte, Godolphin. Tattersalls as well as other key stakeholders in the town, will enable this new partnership to deliver a more cohesive and strengthened tourism offer.
As well as promoting Newmarket as a key destination for the eastern region, Discover Newmarket runs an impressive programme of guided tours of the area, enabling racing enthusiasts to go behind the scenes of some of racing’s most prestigious training yards and studs. Its packages include visits to the Museum and the new relationship will enhance opportunities to increase both general admissions and group visits.
Noel Byrne, Chief Executive of Bedford Lodge Hotel and Chair of Discover Newmarket, says: “We have always had an excellent working relationship with the Museum and this new agreement builds on the support that we have been providing for the last year. Our extended partnership ensures that we work even closer together to attract visitors to our internationally recognised town. This is an important development for Discover Newmarket as an organisation, which has gone from strength to strength since it started trading in 2015. Without a doubt, this is an exciting venture for both us and the Museum, which will bring huge benefits to the local economy, making Newmarket a better place to live, visit and work.”
The Hon. Frances Stanley DL, the Executive Chairman of the National Horseracing Museum, adds: “As an existing stakeholder of Discover Newmarket, we are delighted that the Museum has been able to strengthen its relationship and bring on board additional expertise to assist with our ambitious plans for the Museum. The trustees and I are hugely grateful to Discover Newmarket for the invaluable support that the organisation has provided over the course of the last 12 months. The Museum plays an important role in the town’s tourism offer as well as supporting the horseracing industry nationally, and therefore our new union with Discover Newmarket is an obvious fit to ensure continued success.”
Plans for a series of exciting events, new exhibitions and an enhanced visitor experience are already underway at the Museum alongside revised membership offers.
For more information about Discover Newmarket visit discovernewmarket.co.uk or telephone 01638 501122.
The East Wing of Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors for the first time this summer, when special guided tours of the Principal Floor will be available in July and August.
The East Wing encompasses the front façade of the historic building and features the famous central balcony, where the monarch and members of the Royal Family have gathered for public appearances during special occasions or historic moments since 1851.
Access this year has been made possible due to the conclusion of more than five years of improvement works to the East Wing. The essential works are part of the Buckingham Palace Reservicing Programme to upgrade the historic building’s infrastructure, improve access and preserve it for future generations.
Led by expert guides, small groups of visitors will be able to visit spectacular rooms on the Principal Floor, furnished with highlights from the Royal Collection. Visitors will discover the history of the Wing, first occupied by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children and still used by the Royal Family today for official meetings and events.
At the request of Queen Victoria, the architect Edward Blore was commissioned to draw up plans for alterations to Buckingham Palace, in order to increase the accommodation for her growing family. Between 1847 and 1849, the East Wing was added, enclosing what had previously been an open, horseshoe-shaped courtyard, following George IV’s conversion of Buckingham House into a Palace to the designs of John Nash.
The build of the East Wing was financed through the sale of George IV’s seaside retreat in Brighton, the Royal Pavilion, in 1850. The style of the architecture and interiors of the Pavilion reflected the King's love of Asian art and design and upon the sale of the building, its contents, including some of the finest ceramics and furniture in the Royal Collection, were transferred to the Wing and inspired the Chinese-themed décor of its principal rooms.
Tours will take visitors through rooms and spaces including the Principal Corridor, which runs the length of the Wing, where paintings by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Thomas Lawrence and Franz Xaver Winterhalter are on display. In the Yellow Drawing Room, decorated with recently restored Chinese hand-painted wallpaper from the 18th century, visitors will see two hexagonal, nine-tiered Chinese porcelain pagodas and the Kylin Clock, which incorporates two turquoise Chinese lions. Tours will conclude in the Centre Room, which leads on to the balcony, where highlights include a newly restored glass chandelier, shaped to resemble a lotus flower, and two Chinese 18th-century Imperial Silk wall hangings, presented to Queen Victoria by Guangxu, Emperor of China on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
A limited number of East Wing Highlights Tours will run daily in July and August, from Monday, 15 July. Tours must be booked in addition to the standard admission ticket to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The Palace will be open for seven days a week during July and August for the first time since 2019, returning to five days a week during September.
The Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace is from Thursday, 11 July to Sunday, 29 September 2024. The Palace will be open for seven days a week during July and August and five days a week (Thursday to Monday) during September.
East Wing Highlights Tours will go on sale on Tuesday, 9 April. Priority access will be given to Royal Collection Trust email subscribers for 24 hours, before remaining tickets go on general sale to the public on Wednesday, 10 April. More information about the newsletter can be found here.
East Wing Highlights Tours must be purchased with a ticket to visit to the State Rooms. The combined ticket price is £75 for Adults. Tours start from Monday, 15 July.
Admission to the State Rooms only is £32 (in advance) and £35 on the day.
Visitor information and tickets: www.rct.uk, +44 (0)303 123 7300.
Photo: Andrew Holt
This month will see Blenheim Palace unveil a new, permanent exhibition, The Blenheim Story, which will shine a light on the 300 years of history of the Baroque Palace.
During the exhibition, visitors can discover the opening chapter of Blenheim Palace’s story, from the birth of John Churchill in 1650, the First Duke of Marlborough, to the completion of the Palace, over 75 years later.
Through a layered timeline around the room, visitors can find out about the key people who influenced the building of the Palace and discover their personalities and stories as well as their pivotal moments in history. They will be able to find out about the drama and friction of these historical figures’ relationships with one another and how this influenced British military history, the monarchy and the time it took to build Blenheim Palace – a turbulent period of almost 30 years.
The Blenheim Story is an introduction to the Palace and its history, where visitors will begin their experience inside the Palace before continuing on to the Palace State Rooms where they will be able to see the stories of these main characters in Blenheim Palace’s history represented in everything from the tapestries and portraits to the ceilings and statues.
Kate Ballenger, Keeper of Palace and Collections, said: “Known as ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’, Blenheim Palace has a deep and fascinating 300-year history. We want all those who visit to know the reason why it was built, and the stories of all those that have lived in it over the years - and our new permanent exhibition will do just that. One of our aims is to keep the history of the palace alive, and shining a light on its illuminating past allows us to share this with all who visit, to enhance their experience.”
Entry to The Blenheim Story exhibition is included within the Blenheim Palace ticket, including Annual Pass or a Privilege Pass.
For more information and to book tickets visit, www.blenheimpalace.com/
Groups seeking an adventure with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2024 can enjoy savings of up to £200 per person this Easter weekend. With destinations including Iceland, the Norwegian fjords, the Azores, the Adriatic and the British Isles, guests can make the most of savings on selected cruises for bookings made between now and Tuesday 2 April.
Among the cruises featured in the offer are opportunities to see puffins before they migrate from Iceland, enjoy a short trip to the Norwegian fjords, explore the rugged beauty of the British Isles and sample local produce in northern Spain. Departures are available from Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth, on board all three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ smaller-sized ships, Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.
Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, says: “We know that many people are eager to have an adventure or two to look forward to this year. So, we are giving travellers the chance to experience the world for less with savings of up to £200 per person on selected 2024 cruises. And what’s more, the savings are combinable with our current free credit to spend on board offer.
“All of our itineraries are hand-crafted by our team of expert Journey Planners to ensure guests are shown the very best of each destination and at the right time, whether that’s to seek out wildlife in its natural habitat, witness a natural phenomena or experience a cultural event. We look forward to welcoming guests, both returning and brand new to Fred. Olsen, on board a cruise soon.”
For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Easter Sale, visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise-deals/easter-saleBook online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.
The 45th Warwick Folk Festival returns to Castle Park in Warwick from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 July featuring 82 acts. The family friendly festival brings the local community together for a celebration of folk history, dance, and general revelry over four days. This year the headline acts include The Unthanks, Oysterband, Spooky Mens Chorale, and Breabach. Early bird tickets are available until 6 April including weekend and day/evening options.
Oysterband are a well-known English punk ceilidh band who have been on their musical journey for 45 years. They have won several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including Best Band twice. They will be playing at Warwick Folk Festival on their final tour before they retire as a touring band. The Unthanks are an English folk group known for their eclectic approach in combining traditional English folk, particularly Northumbrian folk music with other musical genres. With 14 records to date, they have earnt a Mercury Music Prize nomination, won Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year twice and were the only British folk representation in The Guardian’s and Uncut’s Best Albums of the Decade.
The Spooky Men's Chorale is a group of Australian male singers who have attracted attention with a judicious combination of Georgian table songs, beautiful ballads, highly inappropriate covers, and a swag of original songs which seek to both celebrate the ‘boof’ and mock it. Breabach are ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts. 2022 saw them release their latest studio album ‘Fàs’ and be awarded ‘Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards.
Dick Dixon, Festival Director said: “Warwick Folk Festival is renowned for being a very friendly, relaxed, and chilled out event and the location is stunning. We will be increasing our ticket prices on 6 April so now is your chance to get a great deal on a wonderful weekend where you can enjoy live music from a variety of local, national, and international talented folk performers over a gorgeous long summer weekend.”
Warwick Folk Festival moved to its new location, next to Warwick Castle in 2022, which meant all the venues and camping were on one site. The move proved to be a big hit with the festival goers who also enjoyed being closer to Warwick town.
Weekend ticket prices start from just £127. Visitors can choose from Friday – Sunday tickets, Thursday – Sunday tickets or just visit for the day, plus under 14s go free. There is a 20% discount for those living in the following postcode areas: CV31, CV32, CV33 or CV34 by applying the code LIVEWARWICK24 for any day or evening tickets. Those aged between 18 and 24 can apply the discount code YOUTHFOLK24 for all tickets. Access to the festival village is from 10am to 6pm and costs £5 on Friday £5 and £10 on Saturday/Sunday. For more information and to book tickets please visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk
Shakespeare Distillery's Gin School has been named ‘Experience of the Year’ in the West Midlands Tourism Awards. The independent artisan spirit producer based in Stratford-upon-Avon picked up the top gold award at a ceremony held on 20 March at the Bear Grylls Adventure in Solihull. As a gold winner, Shakespeare Distillery will automatically be entered into the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which takes place in June.
Shakespeare Distillery is no stranger to receiving accolades, in 2020 and 2022 the company won gold and silver in the West Midlands Tourism Awards for their destination distillery experiences. A TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice award winner, they were also voted as ‘Stratford’s Top Attraction’ in the Herald Business & Tourism Awards for the past two years running and named by the Spirits Business magazine in the top 10 UK gin distillery experiences in 2023.
The Gin School, which was launched five years ago, enables visitors to try their own hand at being a distiller and create their own gin using a miniature copper still and an array of botanicals, alongside expert tuition. After 3 hours visitors will have distilled, blended, bottled, sealed, and labelled their own unique bottles of gin to take away with them. Peter Monks, Director at Shakespeare Distillery said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won Gold in the West Midlands Tourism Awards. Winning this award is testament to our brilliant team whom we are so proud of, and who work incredibly hard producing our handcrafted spirits and delivering a five-star visitor experience.”
The awards are supported by the West Midlands Growth Company, the regions official destination marketing agency. Pre-pandemic, the tourism sector contributed £13.1 billion to the West Midlands economy, attracting 134 million visitors, and supporting more than 137,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Andrew Lovett, chair of the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, said: “This year’s West Midlands Tourism Awards gave us the opportunity to come together to applaud the talent, business acumen and hard work of our tourism sector. With an evening of celebration and entertainment, we paid tribute to the visitor attractions, events, accommodation, and hospitality venues, which have helped the region to secure record visitors, create jobs and grow the tourism economy. These awards get better each year and I thank the judges for their dedication in drawing out the best of the best. Congratulations to the winners and runners-up in each category, all of whom can be extremely proud. We hope the winners go on to even wider recognition at the national awards later this year.”
Shakespeare Distillery, which was founded in 2015 by Simon Picken and Peter Monks, is Stratford-upon-Avon's only working distillery and produces a series of sprits including their signature Stratford Gin, Jester Rums, and distillery specials. But the experience doesn't end there, Shakespeare Distillery offers daily Tours, Cocktail Masterclasses, and River Avon Gin Tasting Cruises, ensuring there's something to delight every discerning spirit enthusiast. With their latest addition of a shop, Tasting Rooms, and Rum School nestled in the historic 1 High Street – once the residence of Judith, William Shakespeare’s daughter, and her husband, Thomas Quiney – visitors can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Shakespearean history while savouring the finest spirits the town has to offer.
For more information about Shakespeare Distillery please visit http://www.shakespearedistillery.com/ For more information about the West Midlands Tourism Awards visit http://westmidlandstourismawards.com/
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Ahead of Disabled Access Day on the 16th March 2024, Blenheim Palace has revealed the introduction of its updated elevator to the heritage attraction, meaning every visitor can now enter Blenheim Palace directly through the front door for the first time.
The new and improved lift will be in place for three years, whilst plans for a permanently installed one are in the works. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site, equality and accessibility is as important as heritage, and so this is a vital project to ensure all receive the same experience.
Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage, said, “We are embarking on a journey of equity and inclusivity, and are committed to ensuring that every visitor, regardless of their background or ability, has equal access within our World Heritage Site. Whether wandering through our exhibitions or strolling through the park and gardens, our ongoing efforts in enhancing accessibility features underscore our dedication to fostering a truly inclusive environment.”
Last year, Blenheim Palace was awarded an Accessibility Award at the Blue Badge Awards 2023 for Best Venue in a Historical Building. Companion tickets for blue badge holders are admitted for free and assistance or support dogs are welcome.
For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.blenheimpalace.com/
Get set to discover everything you need to plan your next group excursion. The British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 20-21 March. Showcasing a broad spectrum of group friendly attractions, destinations and accommodation providers, and with an impressive keynote programme, it is a must-attend for anyone planning group trips and tours.
This major travel trade event is designed to showcase the very best group travel opportunities in the UK, Ireland and beyond. Over 200 exhibitors, including more than 60 exhibiting for the first time, will provide plenty of ideas for unique tours and excursions to inspire group holidays, day trips and excursions.
There are 84 attractions to discover, including historic properties and heritage sites, beautiful gardens, museums, boat cruises, rail tours, restaurants, distilleries, vineyards, food tours, adventure challenges, safaris, performing arts and more.
If you plan overnight stays, you will be spoilt for choice with 73 group friendly hoteliers, including boutique independents, plus local and multinational chains representing hundreds of venues.
41 diverse destinations can be explored, from off-the-beaten track idyllic villages, through towns, counties and countries. If you’re in the business of planning international tours, exhibiting teams from France, India, Netherlands, Somalia, Spain, South Africa, and Uzbekistan will be keen to showcase their destinations to you.
In addition to igniting itinerary inspiration, the show’s free keynote programme, sponsored by the Home Office, will keep attendees well-informed about crucial changes in the travel landscape, and about emerging trends that present new opportunities.
New Keynote Announcements
Paul Howarth, the Home Office’s Head of Engagement, Future Border and Immigration Systems (FBIS) Programme, joins the keynote line up. He will bring attendees up to speed on how UK travel requirements are changing. In his presentation, Paul will guide attendees through the UK’s introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), who it applies to, and what it means for tourist and business visitors to the UK.
VisitEngland will also be joining the keynote lineup. It’s business Support Project Manager, Vicky Parr, will be joined by Jon Chamberlain from Visit West (Bath & Bristol), Sally Graff from Cotswold Tourism, and Stella Birks from Visit Derby.
Attendees will hear the latest research on the volume and value of tourism in England, stemming from VisitEngland’s English Tourism Week (15-24 March 2024) campaign. They will also be introduced to representatives from newly created Local Visitor Economy Partnerships, and will hear from panellists about the exciting visitor opportunities in Bristol, Bath, The Cotswolds, Derby and Plymouth.
The Blue Badge Guides are set to deliver insightful talks over the two days. They are leaders in the tourist guide sector, providing unparalleled expertise. Their rigorous training, continuous professional development, internationally recognised qualifications, and diverse language capabilities make them cultural and social historians. They breathe life into destinations through engaging stories, anecdotes, and facts, elevating the overall group tour experience.
Guides including Verity Tiff, Paul Beesley, Neil McDonald, Ildi Pelikan, Roger Bailey and Alexander Jacobs will draw on their in-depth local knowledge to unveil hidden gems, cultural nuances, and historical context across a variety of destinations across the UK. These talks will help visitors to plan immersive, educational and unforgettable tours and excursions.
More Keynotes to Inform and Inspire
Further keynotes include Alexander Göransson, Senior Consultant at Euromonitor International, who will provide valuable insights into traveller trends and types. Anthony Rawlins, CEO of Navigate, will share tourism marketing trends, advice, and tactics to drive growth for tourism brands. Prominent coach tour operators will share their expertise on changing customer expectations. AGTO members will explore changing expectations in group travel. Visitors will also hear from Coach Tourism Association members on the value of B2B networking through trade association membership.
Free Registration
Attend the British Tourism & Travel Show for an unparalleled opportunity to gain inspiration, valuable insights, and a comprehensive understanding of the evolving travel landscape. Don't miss the chance to connect with industry experts, discover exciting destinations, and stay ahead in the world of group travel planning. For more information and to register for a free trade ticket, visit www.tourismshow.co.uk
A visit to Newmarket isn’t just about looking at the horses, it’s also a chance to get an insight into just what makes the home of horseracing so special. Newmarket is a hive of places to explore, offering groups the perfect day out.
The team at Discover Newmarket are able to offer group visitors a full, bespoke tour service for a number of attractions, which can accommodate all group sizes and budgets. Your group will be able to learn about the rich history and heritage the town has to offer, alongside its royal connections, all expertly told by informative and entertaining tour guides. The pairing of a morning at The National Stud and an afternoon at the National Horseracing Museum takes some beating.
The National Stud is the only commercial stud farm in the UK open to public tours, making it a unique feature within this town. Whether you’re a racing fan or not, you’ll be able to engross yourself in the history and life on the stud as you explore the 500-acre site. As well as being the home to famous stallions, such as Stradivarius, you’ll also be in with a chance of seeing 2024’s newest arrivals.
The team at Discover Newmarket are able to accommodate group tours on any day of the week using their own 26-seater bus, or their tour guides are happy to hop on to your own coach. A guided tour of this beautiful stud farm takes approximately 90 minutes and involves some walking.
Why not continue your tour and head to the National Horseracing Museum, situated in the heart of Newmarket? Refreshments can be provided to your group via the two onsite catering facilities: take a seat in The Tack Room for a bite to eat or pick up a hot drink at The Bakery, before taking a wander round the museum, the former racing yard of Charles II.
The Discover Newmarket tour guides provide an overview of this impressive five-acre site, explaining how this small town became the British home of horseracing. You’ll then be able to explore the impressive Sporting Art Collections in Palace House, immerse in the interactive displays and exhibitions and also hear the stories about the resident ex-racehorses on a behind the scenes tour, finding out about their new careers post racing.
With ample coach parking, toilets, gift shop, café and restaurant, all your group's needs are provided. Get in contact with the dedicated Tours Advisor and organise the perfect day out for you.