Exciting ideas that will offer inspiration to group travel planners looking ahead to 2022 and beyond are promised when the British Tourism & Travel Show takes place on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September at the NEC, Birmingham.

Around 250 exhibitors, many attending the two-day show for the first time, will be highlighting the new and refreshed products that will provide group travel organisers, coach and tour operators, with inspiration and ideas for group travel experiences.

Here’s a look at some of what’s new at this year’s show.

Strawberry Field, stand D17

The latest addition to the choice of group-friendly attractions in Liverpool is Strawberry Field, exhibiting at the show for the first time. Strawberry Field is the former children’s home, run by The Salvation Army, where John Lennon played as a child. It was that experience that inspired him to write ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Today, the site features an award-winning visitor centre where you can see the piano on which John composed and recorded his 1971 song ‘Imagine’. The serene gardens, where visitors can relax and reflect, provide a contrast to the exhibition’s rich array of images and filmed interviews from witnesses to the story, including John’s sister Julia Baird, Honorary President of Strawberry Field. New tours for the visually impaired have recently been introduced. Located to the south of Liverpool city centre, Strawberry Field is ideally located as a stop-off point as you arrive or leave Liverpool.

The RLB360 Tour is another notable new attraction in the area. The tour takes visitors around the Royal Liver Building for the first time in its 100+ year history, and provides panoramic views across Liverpool. To find out about these and eight further attractions in the area, head to the Liverpool Stand D17 to collect a copy of the new Liverpool Groups Guide. A networking drinks reception will be taking place here on 22 September at 1400hrs.

Visit Wallonia – Southern Belgium, Stand B42

The Belgian Tourist Office – Wallonia, one of the UK’s nearest continental neighbours, has re-released its group travel brochure offering a fresh perspective on ideas to inspire group travel organisers for 2022 and beyond. The focus is very much on the region’s fresh air, nature and open spaces, but not forgetting a group travel planner’s wish to see historic towns and cities, steam railways, underground caves, many castles, citadels and gardens, a Venetian Costume Festival, World War remembrance sites and copious amounts of chocolate, food, beer and wine tasting.

Llys Y Fran Visitor Centre, Stand A16

Another first-time exhibitor, the Llys Y Fran Visitor Centre in Pembrokeshire opened in June this year. Groups can enjoy a range of waters sports, together with walking and cycle trails. Follow that with reserved seating at the café for lunch or refreshments. There’s free coach parking that can be booked in advance.

Exmoor Walking Breaks, Stand E14

Since reopening, the team from Exmoor Walking breaks have been highlighting the unique environs of Exmoor to promote outdoor activities. The team offers guided and non-guided walking holidays, including the South West Coast Path. New for October 2021 and March 2021 are Exmoor Stargazing Breaks. Visit the stand to find out more.

Aerospace Bristol, Stand A49

Aerospace Bristol is an aerospace museum at Filton, to the north of Bristol, housing a varied collection of exhibits, including the final Concorde to be built and the last to fly. The attraction has opened a new conservation workshop, and introduced bookable conservation tours for groups for the first time. The tours give visitors the opportunity to see conservation volunteers at work, as they restore and conserve three historic aircraft: a Bristol Freighter, Fighter and Bolingbroke.

Visit East Lothian, Stand B5

Visit East Lothian has created a new dedicated area on its website especially for the travel trade. The site is packed full of information on East Lothian’s group travel offering from locally-produced food and drink to unique experiences. There are itinerary builders and fact sheets. Visit the stand to find out more.

Experiencing Sacred Wales / Explore Churches, Stand G22

The team behind Experiencing Sacred Wales, an initiative that has already brought together over 500 historic places of worship in Wales on ‘ExploreChurches’, the UK’s church tourism hub, has launched new tourism packages that it says offers future travellers engaging and meaningful travel experiences. From kayaking along the Pembrokeshire coast and cycling through Anglesey, exploring pilgrim churches en route, to churchyard stargazing and willow weaving workshops, the experiences are designed to reveal the very best of Wales’ rich culture, history, heritage.

Revealing Gilbert White, Stand G1

The home of author and naturalist Gilbert White in Selborne, Hampshire has long been a popular destination for groups. Although the house is always lovely, 2020 saw Gilbert White’s 300th anniversary, prompting the decision to give the house a much needed, and now completed make-over.

New Inspiring Views Arts Trail in Kent, Stand A38

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has launched a new inspiring views arts trail with eight permanent artworks on the 153-mile North Downs Way in Kent and Surrey. Each art installation acts as a sculptural seat to frame the beautiful views and provide places for rest and reflection. Visit the stand to find out how to programme a group visit.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, Stand A40

BC&P Tourism will be promoting ‘Hardy’s Wessex’, a major exhibition that looks at the life and literature of the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy. The exhibition is across four venues in the area, including Poole Museum. Each exhibition explores a different Hardy theme and there are generous discounts for groups visiting more than one Museum.

The team will also be highlighting ‘Christmas Tree Wonderland’ which is back this year.  From 19 November to 2 January, visitors will be able to “experience the magical spectacle of hundreds of glittering trees from around the world, see them shimmer against the night skies along pine-scented walkways, explore the Alpine Market and skate under the stars in the enchanting Victorian gardens.”

Along the coast, Highcliffe Castle has opened a new studio that will enable the conservation of the visitor attraction’s large stained glass collection, a collection once owned by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. Entrance to the studio is included in the group admission prices, and group tours or talks and refreshments can be arranged when visiting the castle.

To make it easier for group travel organisers and tour planners to see what’s on in the area, BC&P Tourism has launched a new Travel Trade & Group Travel Resource Hub. The hub includes itinerary suggestions and the latest information from group-friendly business partners.

Food and Drink Trail

Visitors will be able to enjoy a food and drink trail of tastes from exhibitors’ local areas. Here are some of those offering samples along the way.

Kittywake Canal Cruises on Stand G4

Based at Wigan Pier in Wigan, will have Kittywake Pale Ale and Elleswake IPA on their stand. These two unique pale ales are brewed by Clay Brown Nano Brewery especially for the canal cruise operator. And as a bonus, don’t miss Uncle Joes Mint Balls, described by the Kittywake team as “Everyone’s favourite boiled sweet with a minty flavour.”

A Welsh Coal Mining Experience – Rhondda Heritage, Stand A19

Located near Pontypridd in South Wales, this attraction gives an opportunity for groups to take a tour with guides, all of whom are retired miners. After all, nobody knows the coal industry better than them! A visit to the stand will give you a different experience; the opportunity to sample Hensol Gin. This is a traditional copper pot distilled London Dry Gin from Wales’ largest distillery located in the cellars of the Grade I listed, 17th Century Hensol Castle.

Chase Distillery, Stand A8

GB Gin is crafted by copper pot distilling Chase Vodka with 10 botanicals; juniper, coriander seed, bitter almond, cinnamon bark, ginger, cloves, angelica root, liquorice root, lemon peel, and cardamom. This handcrafted gin is distinct and full bodied in flavour. The team from Chase Distillery, which is located between Hereford and Bromyard, say the gin is bound to become a favourite in anyone’s gin collection. Don’t forget to pick up your free 20-page ‘Sip, Drink, Tour’ guide.

Crawford & Company Legal Services, Stand D8

Crawford & Company will have locally distilled Liverpool gin and vodka to be sampled by visitors as they pass by or stop to find out more about the services offered to tour planners.

Tiffany’s Hotel, Blackpool, Stand F45

Tiffany’s Hotel is located on Blackpool’s North Promenade. At BTTS, the team is offering the opportunity to sample a Blackpool Rock Gin, a true Lancashire gin, expertly distilled and hand crafted, using 10 premium botanicals, and with a little helping of real Blackpool Rock from one of the oldest family rock factories in Blackpool.

York’s Chocolate Story, Stand D39

Likely to be the one of the most popular stands at this year’s show, York’s Chocolate Story is bringing along one of its professional chocolatiers who will produce fresh Belgian chocolate samples ready for visitors to experience at their leisure. The stand will also display some of its more complex chocolate products that are used as show pieces.

Fabulous Welshcakes, Stand A10

Exhibiting on the Visit Wales stand, Fabulous Welshcakes -a small bakery in Cardiff that only makes these delights, invites visitors to sample their Welsh cakes. The team take great pride in their hand-made products that are cooked in the traditional way – on a cast iron griddle.

Discover Ormskirk, Stand C16

Ormskirk Gingerbread has been renowned for several centuries. Manufactured by women in the town from as early as 1732, it was reputed that Edward VII requested the Royal train stop at Ormskirk to buy stocks of gingerbread en route to Balmoral. Whilst they’re enjoying some gingerbread, visitors can also find out more about this popular Lancashire town.

New keynote session: ‘Managing a coach operation: agility and resilience’

This recently announced panel session will take place in the Keynote Theatre at 1.30pm on Wednesday 22 September. Host Stuart Render, consultant at Stuart Render Tourism, will lead the discussion to uncover what managing a coach operation through challenging times looks like, and how to adapt, flexibly respond, and develop a business for success. Each panellist represents a standout coach operating business. Speakers include Robert Shaw of Harry Shaw Group Travel, Coventry UK City of Culture, and CTA chair; Colin Duncan, director at Dunwood Travel; and John Docherty, founder and MD of Harmony Coaches.

And that’s just a taster. For full details of this year’s exhibitors, and to see the latest news about this year’s keynote programme, visit www.tourismshow.co.uk.

The British Tourism & Travel Show is open to anyone organising holidays and day trips for groups. To register, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk.

 

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Notes to editors:

Show images are available from www.tourismshow.co.uk/photo-gallery

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