Chester Zoo welcomed a different kind of gathering alongside its usual crowds earlier this month: tour planners and group travel organisers (GTOs) from across the UK. They had signed up for the Group Travel Roadshow, organised by Daish’s Holidays and Steve Reed Tourism.

Judging by the response from attendees, the event was a roaring success. Coach and tour operators, together with active GTOs, met a strong line-up of destinations, attractions, hotels and venues to discuss future group business — and, according to Daish’s, some bookings were already being made. “Each year, we invite GTOs to one of our northern, Midlands or southern roadshows so we can meet face to face,” said Martin Jenkins of Daish’s Holidays. “The Chester Zoo event gave me the opportunity to tell attendees all about our excellent seaside hotels and group tours.”

Martin confirmed that plans are already under way for Daish’s major 2027 GTO familiarisation trip, showcasing the soon-to-be-refurbished Sandringham Hotel in Weston-super-Mare from 11–15 November 2027.

Chester Zoo also had the opportunity to demonstrate its first-class conference facilities by hosting the roadshow. “We knew the team at Chester Zoo were experts in attracting coach parties, but the quality of the venue exceeded even our expectations,” said Steve Reed.

The exhibitor line-up read like a who’s who of the tourism industry. Organisations taking part included Viva Blackpool; West Midlands Safari Park; Kynren; The Lowry; Visit County Durham; Olympus Restaurant, Bolton; Classic Lodges Hotels; Visit Chester And Cheshire; Port Sunlight Village Trust; ChesterBoat; Mersey Ferries; The Moxy Chester Hotel; Royal Airforce Museum, Midlands; Leighton Hall; Gulliver’s Resorts; Snowdon Mountain Railway; Fragrance Hotel Collection c/o RBH Hospitality; Visit Northumberland; HotelCo; Royal British Legion National Remembrance; Starboard Hotels; Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement; Elizabeth Gaskell House, Manchester; Ribble Valley Borough Council; Vale of Rheidol and Brecon Mountain Railway.

The next Group Travel Roadshow will take place at the Bush Hotel in Farnham, Surrey, on Monday 19 April 2027. Tour planners and potential exhibitors interested in taking part can contact Steve Reed Tourism at steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk