The Coach Tourism Association’s (CTA) Conference and Workshop achieved its highest ever attendance on 8-11 February as 200 members gathered at the Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon by Valor Hotels.
The Meet the Buyer Workshop also saw a record after 1,200 pre-arranged one-to-one business meetings were staged.
The event, which had DFDS as “gold sponsor” and Trust My Travel as “silver sponsor”, included a familiarisation trip to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, as well as the playwright’s houses, plus a performance of Romeo and Juliet – with transport provided by Johnsons Coaches.
After the successful Workshop, the conference session featured an interview of former Wish You Were Here…? host Anthea Turner by BBC report Peter Pilsner.
“Know what you do well – and keep doing it,” was Ms Turner’s advice to gathered operators, also praising the industry on its ability to engage with engage with customers personally to provide a trusted experience.
Also on the programme was a question-and-answer session with David Blake of Blakes Coaches, Roger Bull of RB Travel/Taurus Holidays, Jason Edwards of Jason Edwards Travel and Louise Webster of Acklams Coaches.
“Record attendance at the CTA Conference is a demonstration for the travel trade of the power of face-to-face discussions with a dedicated, business development focus,” says CTA Chair Robert Shaw. “Coach tourism operators increasingly see the Conference and Workshop as the annual event to help develop their future product.
“With a fertile audience of buyers who are ready to do business, it’s clear why the event is so popular with suppliers to the sector, from hotels to attractions.”
Next year’s CTA Conference is scheduled for Derry-Londonderry on 7-10 February 2026. Meanwhile, CTA will host a networking reception within the British Tourism and Travel Show at the Birmingham NEC on 19 March.
Further dates and venues to note are: CTA Spring Networking 2025, 17-19 May, in Norwich, and CTA Winter Networking 2025, 21-24 November, Perthshire.
Booking details will be available soon at this link.
