The UK’s best coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions, hotels, and tourism industry suppliers, were honoured last night (20 March) at the 2019 British Coach Tourism Awards.
The prestigious awards ceremony, which took place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham following the first day of the British Tourism & Travel Show, brought together hundreds of industry professionals to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation across the multi-billion-pound coach tourism sector.
Wells, Planet Hollywood, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Warner Leisure Hotels, Rendezvous Hotel, The Bishop’s Palace, Classic Britain Hotels, P&O Ferries, Ullswater Steamers and Greatdays Travel Group all took home accolades. While winning coach tour operators included Masons Minibus & Coach Hire, Johnsons Coaches, Bluebird Coaches (Weymouth), Acklams Coaches, United Minibuses & Coaches, Reays Coaches, and Richmond’s Coaches.
Chris Wales, former Coach Tourism Association chief executive, Coach Drivers’ Club president and British Coach Tourism Awards judge, was posthumouslypresented the British Coach Tourism Special Recognition Award for hissignificant contribution to the coach tourism industry.
The annual awards – the only national awards scheme that specifically focuses on coach tourism – were organised by Diversified Communications UK. This year’s celebrity presenter was TV personality Carol Vorderman MBE.
David Maguire, chair of judges and event director of British Coach Tourism Awards says: “Huge congratulations goes to all our winners in this year’s British Coach Tourism Awards. With real emotion among our highly deserving winners and a fantastic atmosphere of celebration, I believe it was one of our best awards yet.
Once again, the quality of the entries reflected the quality and importance of the amazing coach tourism sector and the inspiring professionals working in it. The awards are a great way to reward them for their hard work and dedication to the UK tourism sector, so it’s an honor to be a part of that. Well done to everyone who took home an award, and a huge thanks to our judges, our partners, and everyone in the industry who supports the event,” says Maguire.
British Coach Tourism Awards 2019 winners:
Coach Friendly Destination – partnered by the Coach Tourism Association
Wells – WINNER
Bournemouth & Poole – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Coach Friendly Attraction – partnered by Beverley. East Yorkshire
The Bishop’s Palace – WINNER
New Lanark Mills – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cross-Sea Carrier – partnered by Edwards Coach Holidays
P & O Ferries
River and Inland Cruise Operator – partnered by DFDS
Ullswater Steamers
Heritage Railway– partnered by City Cruises
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Accommodation provider (Independent Hotels)– partnered by ICT Group Travel
Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
Accommodation Provider (Hotel Groups)– partnered by Bakers Dolphin
Warner Leisure Hotels – WINNER
Hallmark Hotels – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Tour Wholesaler and Industry Supplier– partnered by Planet Hollywood & The View from the Shard
Greatdays Travel Group
Dining Experience – partnered by AGTO (Association of Group Travel Organisers)
Planet Hollywood – WINNER
360 Cookhouse – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Holiday Programme – partnered by Distinctive Systems
Reays Coaches – WINNER
Bakers Dolphin – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Day Excursion Programme – partnered by P&O Ferries
Richmond’s Coaches – WINNER
Lucketts Travel – HIGHLY COMMENDED
Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year – partnered by Eurotunnel
United Minibuses & Coaches – Online Live Pricing Tool
Coach Tourism Professional of the Year – partnered by Continuum
Andrew Simpson – Classic Britain Hotels
Coach Tour Driver of the Year – partnered by Roadchef
Ken Cato – Masons Minibus & Coach Hire
Coach Tour Operator – Small Fleet (1-5 Coaches) – partnered by Condor Ferries
Acklams Coaches
Coach Tour Operator – Medium Fleet (6-15 Coaches) – partnered by Warner Leisure Hotels
Bluebird Coaches (Weymouth) Ltd
Coach Tour Operator – Large Fleet (more than 15 Coaches) – partnered by Wrightsure
Johnsons Coaches
For further information, including a full list of finalists and the judging panel, please visit www.britishcoachawards.co.uk.
British Tourism & Travel Show
The second day of British Tourism and Travel Show is open from 10am to 4pm today at the NEC Birmingham (Thursday 21 March).
The Keynote Theatre line-up includes: Simon Calder, The Independent; Tony Berry, National Trust; AGTO Question Time panel; and Debbie Marshall, Silver Travel Advisor. For more information, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk.
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