The finalists of the 2019 British Coach Tourism Awards – the only national awards scheme to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation across the coach tourism sector – have been announced.
The finalists of the 2019 British Coach Tourism Awards – the only national awards scheme to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation across the coach tourism sector – have been announced. Bournemouth & Poole, Burnham-On-Sea, Newmarket, Southport, and Wells are among the destinations up for the Coach Friendly Destination Award.
The winners will be announced at the glamorous black-tie awards ceremony taking place at the National Motorcycle Museum on 20 March 2019 and will be hosted by TV personality Carol Vorderman. Following the first day of the British Tourism & Travel Show, the British Coach Tourism Awards offers a rare opportunity to recognise the hard-work and dedication of some of the most talented coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions, hotels, and tourism industry suppliers across Britain.
The judging panel, chaired by David Maguire, group event director at Diversified Communications UK, includes John Wales, chairman of the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), Wendy Hartley-Scarff, CEO of the AGTO, and Steve Whiteway, former MD of Epsom Coaches.
David Maguire says: “The awards celebrate and recognise those who contribute to the continual growth and development of the vibrant coach tourism sector and continues to play a vital role in encouraging destinations and visitor attractions to improve the welcome they offer to coaches and groups. As in previous years, the calibre of entries has been incredible – congratulations and good luck to all our shortlisted finalists for 2019.”
The British Coach Tourism 2019 finalists include:
Coach Friendly Destination
- Bournemouth & Poole
- Burnham-On-Sea
- Newmarket
- Southport
- Wells
Coach Friendly Attraction
- Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
- The Bishop’s Palace
- Blenheim Palace
- Brick Lane Music Hall
- The British Ironwork Centre
- Chatsworth
- Holkham
- New Lanark Mills
- RHS Gardens Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall and Rosemoor
- West Midland Safari Park
- World of James Herriot
Cross-Sea Carrier – partnered by Edwards Coach Holidays
- DFDS
- Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
- P & O Ferries
River and Inland Cruise Operator – partnered by DFDS
- Princess River Cruises
- Stuart Line Cruises
- Ullswater Steamers
- Windermere Lake Cruises
- Lovers Canal Cruises
Heritage Railway– partnered by City Cruises
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
- Swanage Railway
- Vale of Rheidol Railway
Accommodation provider (Independent Hotels) – partnered by Independent Coach Travel
- Hallmark Hotel Leyland, Preston
- The Hallmark Queen Hotel, Chester
- Mill Rythe Holiday Village / Away Resorts
- The Portbyhan Hotel
- Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
Accommodation Provider (Hotel Groups) – partnered by Bakers Dolphin
- Best Western Hotels GB
- Classic Lodges
- Hallmark Hotels
- Hilton Worldwide
- Warner Leisure Hotels
Tour Wholesaler and Industry Supplier– partnered by Planet Hollywood & The View from the Shard
- Advantage Now
- Action Tours
- Ashley & Newey
- Encore
- Greatdays Travel Group
- ICT Group Travel
- Norman Allen Group Travel
Dining Experience
- 360 Cookhouse Restaurant
- The British Ironwork Centre
- Planet Hollywood
- Poplars Garden Centre
- Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
Holiday Programme – partnered by Distinctive Systems
- Bakers Dolphin
- Crusader Holidays
- Eastons Coaches
- Edwards Coaches
- Galloway Coach Travel
- Glenton Holidays
- Grand UK Holidays
- Johnsons Coaches
- Reays Coaches
Day Excursion Programme – partnered by P&O Ferries
- Johnsons Coaches
- Bakers Dolphin
- Eastons Coaches
- Gardiners NMC
- Lucketts Travel
- Richmond’s Coaches
Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year – partnered by Eurotunnel
- All About Tours – The Coach Café
- Buzzlines Travel – Integrated Tour & Cruise Experience
- Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton – Dinner Cruise
- Teignbridge District Council – Coach Tour Survey
- United Minibuses & Coaches – Online Live Pricing Tool
Coach Tourism Professional of the Year – partnered by Continuum
- Kate Bastin – Bakers Dolphin
- Suzanne Evans – Boon’s Calibre Travel
- Andrew Simpson – Classic Britain Hotels
- Martin Slater – Greatdays Travel Group
- Amy Lizzimore – Groups Direct
- Kristy Elsmere – Woods Travel Ltd
Coach Tour Driver of the Year – partnered by Roadchef
- Allan Lonsdale – Alfa Travel Ltd
- Chris Nelson – Galloway Coach Travel
- Ken Cato – Masons Minibus & Coach Hire
- Barry Jolly – Woods Travel Ltd
Coach Tour Operator – Small Fleet (1-5 Coaches) – partnered by Warner Leisure Hotels
- Acklams Coaches
- Hough’s of Lincolnshire
- Masons Minibus & Coach Hire
Coach Tour Operator – Medium Fleet (6-15 Coaches) – partnered by Condor Ferries
- Bluebird Coaches (Weymouth) Ltd
- Crusader Holidays
- Kirbys Coaches
- United Minibuses & Coaches
- Woods Travel Ltd
Coach Tour Operator – Large Fleet (more than 15 Coaches) – partnered by Condor Ferries
- Bakers Dolphin
- Edwards Coaches
- Johnsons Coaches
- Lucketts Travel
- Shearings Holidays
The British Coach Tourism Recognition Award – partnered by Hilton Worldwide will also be announced.
The British Coach Tourism Awards will take place at the National Motorcycle Museum on 20 March 2019. For further information and to book tickets to attend, please visit www.britishcoachawards.co.uk/ticket-bookings.
Register for British Tourism & Travel Show
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