E newsletter

June 2019

Group Bookings Event in Surrey.

Next One in Salford Quays 14 Oct.
Painshill Park in Surrey was the venue for one of the most successful Group Buyer Forum events arranged by Steve Reed Tourism in what is SRT’s 20^th consecutive year of putting buyers together with sellers.
http://www.stevereedtourism.co.uk/news-group-buyer-forum-industry-makes-a-date-with-the-travel-trade.aspx
To accomplish this SRT invited coach and tour operators; wholesalers; GTOS and inbound tour operators to the event. They met the exhibitors [from all over the country] face to face for a series of ten minute meetings.  The Grovefield House Hotel near Windsor hosted some of the buyers with dinner and a night’s accommodation. French Brothers of Windsor treated the overnight attendees to a special River Thames Cruise.

The next Group Buyer Forum takes place on Monday 14^th October from 10.30 – 14.00 at the Lowry in Salford Quays, Manchester. The Farringdon Lodge Hotel at Leyland in Lancashire will be looking after some of the buyers the night before and City Centre Cruises of Manchester will be hosting a cruise at 14.00 from the Lowry on the 14^th October immediately after the Group Buyer Forum.

Any tourism businesses interested in exhibiting at the Lowry or tour planners wishing to attend the event should email steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk  Tel: [01420] 560288.

Durham City Christmas Festival

Friday 29^th, Saturday 30^th November & Sunday 1^st December 2019
To book NOW for your coach party – click here.
A coach trip to Durham Christmas Festival is a must – combine a visit to the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle, with one of the North’s finest shopping festivals … perfectly timed at the start of the Christmas season.
Arriving by coach means you’ll be dropped at a city centre location, and from there you can make the most of four markets in the City Centre.  The Craft & Gift Marquee on Palace Green in front of the Cathedral is an Aladdin’s cave of gift ideas and Christmas treats (over 180 stalls) – make sure you purchase discounted entrance tickets to this marquee in advance via our festival website*.
The Cloisters of Durham Cathedral hosts our Regional Producers’ Market where you’ll discover artisan food and drink producers, Durham’s Market Hall is open with 45 varied independent businesses, and the Market Place also hosts a festive market.
Alongside the shopping, you’re guaranteed to feel truly Christmassy as the city fills with caroling, performing, and special events, the highlight of which is the Children’s Lantern Procession.  Our website* has full details allowing you to plan your visit in advance.
The Coach Package costs £60.00 (inc VAT) per coach, and includes:

• City centre coach drop off / collection
• Guaranteed city centre coach parking
• Lunch facility for drivers
• Free entry to Craft & Gift Marquee for drivers
• Festival Team to welcome pre-booked coach groups
• Festival information pack for coach driver and festival information for passengers
• Discounted advance entrance tickets from festival website*

To book NOW for your coach party – click here.
Any queries, please contact Sarah Harrington: cra5@durham.ac.uk 0191 334 3036 * www.durhamchristmasfestival.com

English Riveria

English Riviera Welcomes Travel Trade. 17-19 March 2020.
The English Riviera shone and shimmered like a true Riviera should as the UK travel trade made a bee-line for this iconic destination.

The English Riviera Group Buyer Showcase – arranged by the English Riviera BID Company [Business Improvement District] – attracted coach and tour operators and GTOS from all over the country for a three day familiarisation visit in the Devon sunshine.

The hotels involved in hosting the tour buyers included The Carlton Hotel; the Grand Hotel; Abbey Sands Hotel, the Livermead Cliff Hotel and the Redcliffe Hotel.

Attractions opening their doors to the buyers included the Babbacombe Theatre; The Dartmouth Steam Railway; Kent’s Cavern; Torre Abbey and Gardens; Bygones Museum and the Babbacombe Model Village.

The group also participated in the annual English Riviera Show also arranged by the BID Company and housed in the English Riviera Centre.
http://www.stevereedtourism.co.uk/news-english-riviera-welcomes-travel-trade.aspx
Anyone wishing to find out more of the English Riviera group travel offering should contact Angela Wright:
Email: angela@englishrivierabid.co.uk; Tel:[01803] 296296

Lift Off for New GTO Club. Steve Reed Announced as TWA ‘Champion’.

UK group travel specialists Steve Reed Tourism Ltd [SRT] from Hampshire recently announced an exciting new tie up geared towards Group Travel Organisers and businesses seeking to gain new group bookings.
http://www.stevereedtourism.co.uk/news-lift-off-for-new-gto-club-steve-reed-announced-as-twa-champion.aspx
MD Steve Reed is now the ‘Champion’ of a brand new and exclusive club for GTOS entitled TWA – Travel World Association.

Formerly a Director of AGTO [the Association of Group Travel Organisers] Steve is to use all of the 20 years’ experience and networking of Steve Reed Tourism to help develop TWA into the ‘go-to’ organisation for the tourism industry.

The concept of the club is to provide regular opportunities for active GTOS to meet and do business with tourism businesses directly – including hotels, attractions and destinations. GTOS joining TWA must prove that they are active in tour planning and have a touring history.

Anyone requiring information about TWA – either as a group travel organiser or as a tourism provider can access this link www.travelworldassociation.com

Severn Valley Railway FAM trip

Tour operators, GTOS and coach tour planners were all chuffed to experience a memorable and unique educational trip on board the Severn Valley Railway. The 40 VIPS enjoyed a highly successful and rewarding showcase visit taking in a number of stops and scenic views along the stunning Severn Valley from Worcestershire through to Shropshire.
http://www.coachtoursuk.com/severn-valley-railway-fam-trip-just-ticket-tour-buyers/
The event was arranged in conjunction with well-known coach and tour company Elgar Travel from Worcester, the event also took in a special safari and familiarisation to the nearby and popular West Midland Safari Park.

The Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel – part of the Jupiter Hotels group – hosted the buyers with a first class reception, dinner and accommodation.

To book or to enquire about a group trip with the Severn Valley Railway please telephone 01562 757900 (option 1)

Email Karen.bromell@svrlive.com   Website https://www.svr.co.uk/

Ena Mill Superb Coach stops fr Groups

Ena Mill is one of the Northwest’s top retail coach stops for groups. Set in the historic Lancashire mill town of Atherton, you can always find your way there by simply looking for the big chimney! Owners Simon Yates and Jonathan Addis have developed and invested in this superb shopping experience and coach parties will always be able to enjoy a visit there.

• Close proximity to North West`s motorway network
• FREE and Convenient coach parking
• Good disabled access
• Meet and Greet Service
• £10 for coach drivers*
• FREE snack and drink for coach drivers
• £10 for Group
  Organiser/Courier*
• Great discounts for passengers
• Fantastic Shopping experience
• Great Food served in
  Massarella`s

*Applies to coaches with over 30 passengers and minimum 2 hour stay
Address:
Ena Mill
Gloucester Street, Atherton
Lancashire
SAT NAV M46 0HB
STORE OPENING HOURS: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 6.00pm
Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm (Browsing from 10.30am)

www.enamill.co.uk/group-visits
Email: jon@enamill.co.uk
Tel: 01942 882 406

Celebration Showcase to Welcome Tour Planners 2-6 October 2019.

Four decades of looking after groups is to be celebrated during 2019 when one of the UK’s top hotel and holiday companies celebrates its 40^th anniversary.

Daish’s Holidays was created by owner Jeannie Wilson in 1979 when she purchased her first hotel – a landmark hotel that gave the company its name – Daish’s Hotel in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.

40 years later and Daish’s have 10 hotels in 9 popular tourist destinations across the country. They also operate 23 luxury coaches to take their customers on highly enjoyable group tours.

Now, they’ve announced a special 40^th Anniversary Daish’s Celebration Showcase to take place 2-6 October 2019 based at the original Daish’s Hotel right in the heart of Shanklin.

The event involves a 4 night DBB stay in Daish’s Hotel with fam’ visits to some of the top IOW group attractions including Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, the Isle of Wight Railway and several other attractions on the holiday island.

The Celebration Showcase also includes return travel with a car onboard Wightlink Ferries.

 Any tour planner wishing to book their places on the Daish’s Holidays 40^th Anniversary Celebration Showcase should email steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk or telephone [01420] 560288.

Hotel Showcase on Offer to Travel Trade. 21 July.

It would be Rood Not To. Opportunity to Discover Group Hotel.
Coach and tour operators from around the UK are being invited to sample a group hotel that may not be on their radar.

Durker Roods – on the edge of the Peak District and the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield – nestles in beautiful rolling countryside near to the much loved group destination of Holmfirth – location for many years of ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.

Working with group travel specialists Steve Reed Tourism Ltd, tour planners have the opportunity to experience this lovely hotel for themselves by registering for a complimentary hosted buyer place[s] to stay at Durker Roods on the Sunday night 21^st July. Including dinner, breakfast and showrounds, the invitation also includes the chance to enjoy nearby Holmfirth and local attractions.

Places are subject to availability and eligibility. Each attending company/organisation will be allocated one room with a maximum of two people per company. Durker Roods Hotel is an award winning provider of overnight accommodation and fine dining.

Anyone keen to snap up a complimentary place on this exciting and highly pleasurable hosted buyer opportunity should email steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk or telephone [01420] 560288.
Website https://merydion.co.uk/investments/durker-roods