Steve Reed has added another short film to his collection of 'virtual' fam trips, in a bid to help tour planners put their tours and excursions together. The new film, for North West England, can be seen at Fkf9Ql2NCQU and includes Daish’s Hotel Blackpool, Samlesbury...

Set in a beautiful honey coloured Georgian Terrace, Hotel Indigo Bath opened its doors in autumn 2020 after a multi-million-pound restoration project that saw its 166 rooms given an elegant makeover. GTW's Editor Helen Milbank spent the night there and found it a...

The festive season has launched at Markshall Estate in Essex, as 'Storytelling with Father Christmas' runs every weekend from now until December 19, and then from December 21-24. Visitors can join Father Christmas in his woodland hideaway as he reads a yuletide tale...

UKinbound has signed a new partnership agreement with the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), which will give UKinbound supplier members the opportunity to attend ETOA’s 2022 British and Ireland Marketplace (BIM) event. Taking place in-person on Friday 28...

Shakespeare Distillery in Stratford-upon-Avon has a range of exciting new products for the festive season, including a personalisation service on four of its gin products. The independent artisan spirit producer is offering personalised labels on its Stratford Dry,...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a return to its homeland as new ship Borealis sets sail in search of the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon after which she’s named. This is Fred. Olsen’s first cruise to Norway since the line resumed sailing in the summer, and...

This December and throughout the Christmas season, The Story Museum in Oxford’s Christmas show is back and pulling out all the stops after being postponed last Christmas due to Covid-19 restrictions.  Suddenly A Star is an amalgamation of traditional tales, written...

Register today for a free fam event and discover what’s on offer for groups at the fantastic Silverstone Interactive Museum and nearby Stowe House. The Silverstone Interactive Museum is an immersive visitor attraction that celebrates the past, present and future of...

The award-winning Christmas extravaganza at Waddesdon, the Rothschild House and Gardens in Buckinghamshire, is back this winter with a brand new route that will light up the formal Parterre for the first time. From November, visitors can stroll under the stars in a...

The film and the travel industries have combined to help put Yorkshire’s maritime city on the tourism map. Hull in East Yorkshire has always been of interest to groups, and the production of a special coach road-trip movie will help the city destination to reinforce...

The British Tourism & Travel Show 2021 (BTTS), the first major group travel trade show to return following lockdown, produced a much-needed buzz and a sign that the sector is on the road to recovery. Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 22 and 23 September,...

Markshall Estate’s new shop and plant centre near Colchester in Essex has opened following a six-month development project.  The brand-new 90sq/m retail space will put the work of local craftspeople, artists and suppliers in the spotlight, and stock more than 50...

Visitor registration is now open for Excursions 2022 – the longest running Group Travel Show, which has inspired and connected the group travel market for more than 45 years. Excursions 2022 will take place on 22 January 2022 at its new home of Twickenham Stadium....

Shakespeare Distillery in Stratford-upon-Avon has launched a range of group experiences for the autumn season, including distillery tours and tastings, a cocktail masterclass and gin school. The independent artisan spirit producer has been successfully distilling gin...

That’s The Ticket Tourism Consultancy welcomes Karen Sloane, who joins the team as Business Development Manager.  That’s The Ticket is a new trade sales and marketing group, which is revolutionising how marketing budgets have been spent before by operating affordable...

This weekend's Tram Day at Crich Tramway Village – on Saturday 18th September – is a great chance to ride on a range of vintage vehicles. Home to the National Tramway Museum, Crich Tramway Village usually runs 2-3 trams per day during its opening season, with more...

Organisers of the British Tourism & Travel Show (BTTS) are reminding tour planners that with no show planned for March 2022, visiting the event later this month will prove invaluable for tour planning for 2022 and 2023. The two-day group travel trade show, which...

The September edition of Which? Magazine includes an article on the best new holidays at home and away – and Group Travel World favourites Riviera Travel are not only included in the list, but described as 'top notch'. In Which? Magazine's 'Why Riviera?' section it...

Leger Shearings Group has announced the appointment of Rob Carroll as senior product manager. Reporting to operations director Chris Plummer, Rob will lead and direct the product management team across both the Leger Holidays and Shearings brands. Rob joins Leger...

From 22-23 September at the NEC Birmingham, top-tier industry speakers will be taking to the stage at the British Tourism & Travel Show to bring you up to speed on the latest developments. Get up to date on new trends and innovations in group travel, business...

The fields surrounding Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire will be filled with the sights and sounds of more than 40 horses and their riders for the first ever Festival of the Horse taking place across the weekend of 11-12 September 2021. The soldiers and horses of Her...

The British Motor Museum will host ‘Jaguars at Gaydon’ on 4 September to celebrate two milestone events – Sir William Lyon’s 120th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the XK8.  A joint show between the Museum and the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, Jaguars at Gaydon...

Group attractions around Southern Wales feature in a new short film. Aimed at coach and tour operators and GTOs across the UK, the movie offers a virtual fact-finding fam to tour planners seeking to arrange tours to the area, and serves as a reminder of what the...

One of the most charismatic individuals in UK tourism has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bolton. Tasos Pattichis – now Dr Tasos Pattichis – is a well-known figure in coach and group travel, working to attract coaches to Bolton, and...

Group travel organisers and tour operators explored one of the south of England’s undiscovered gems for coaches and groups on the Watford Group Experience earlier this week.     Showcasing a variety of group-friendly sites, restaurants and top-class shopping, the...

The award-winning Christmas extravaganza at Waddesdon returns this winter, with a brand new route that will light up the formal Parterre for the very first time. Christmas preparations usually begin 12-18 months in advance at the Rothschild house and gardens in...

Lose yourself in the new Horrible Histories maze at Warwick Castle this summer, as the past's most gruesome elements combine to invade the grounds of the fortress, bringing the hit TV show to life. The new attraction adds to the theatre of this epic attraction -...

Jousting knights, fierce Cossack warriors and spectacular cavalry parades lead the action-packed programme at Belvoir Castle’s first-ever Festival of the Horse from Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 September 2021. Excitement is on the cards as crowd favourites, The Knights of...

Darwin Escapes has developed its offering of premium UK breaks with the opening of its new Stratford-Upon-Avon Lodge Retreat, deep in the heart of Warwickshire. The 44 luxury lodges sit in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to historic Stratford-upon-Avon,...

Hatton Adventure World in Warwickshire will welcome an invasion of dinosaurs for the first time this summer, as they entertain families throughout the summer holidays from 24 July to 5 September. Children can get up close to the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and ...

The team at Discover Newmarket are keen to welcome back groups with a special message to Group Travel World's readers… We have so missed our group visits here in Newmarket and so to show our appreciation we are welcoming you back with two packs of our famous sausages!...

The British Motor Museum is inviting families to explore nature in its car collection this summer from 22 July to 2 September. Many car designers and engineers have taken inspiration from nature, and families can explore these fun facts with a 'nature trail' to seek...

Experience a fusion of history and scenic countryside views in Arundel in South Downs National Park. Here, Richard Campbell (10Adventures.com) shares his five top walks from the epic Arundel Castle… Charming shops may line the streets, but the imposing Arundel Castle...

Travel and tourism companies looking to profit from the eager-to-return group travel market can now secure their spot at Excursions™ 2022 - the popular group travel show, which has inspired and connected the group travel market for more than 45 years. Excursions...

This summer sees the launch of a new company dedicated to all things UK. Holiday Club Staycation will offer wholesale rates on UK hotels, holiday parks, attractions, events and theatre tickets. The brainchild of Ian Marsh, who has held previous roles as Head of Sales...

A new consumer campaign to promote coach tours and excursions has been launched by the Coach Tourism Association (CTA). ‘WeLoveCoaches’ highlights the core messages: coach travel is back; coaches are safe, fun and social; and coaches are ready and waiting to take you...

This year will see the UK Bus Awards and the UK Coach Awards combine via a virtual event in the autumn. Both award schemes recognise and appreciate the recent and continuing difficulties encountered by the bus and coach Industries during the pandemic. The awards'...

Shakespeare Distillery has launched a second unique rum to accompany its newly launched white rum. Jester Spiced Rum is the result of a team effort from the independent artisan spirit producer in Stratford-upon-Avon. The team have distilled their 100% British-made...

Warwick Folk Festival has announced it will not be taking place this year. Festival organisers took the decision to postpone the popular weekend gathering until 2022 in the light of the latest Government announcements and concerns over safety. The festival’s managers...

The historic town of Watford is set to welcome back coaches and groups with a special group experience day this summer. The Watford Day Trip Group Showcase takes place on Tuesday 27th July, and group travel organisers and coach and tour operators are invited to sign...

Tour planners across the UK are being invited to sign up for The Southern Wales Group and Travel Trade Buyer Event. Each year, Southern Wales Tourism runs the event, where businesses across the region can meet with buyers and set up new tours and visits. The 2020...

One of the UK’s most beautiful tourism destinations is to attract new groups of visitors through a unique ‘road trip’ film. Port Sunlight Village on Merseyside in the Wirral was founded by industrialist William Lever in 1888. The village was built to house Lever’s...

The award-winning Shakespeare Distillery has re-started its popular group distillery tours. The independent artisan spirit producer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been distilling gin for the past five years on its own premises, with products inspired by the Tudor...

Castlebridge Hospitality has signed a management agreement with Hotel Exe Limited to open and operate the new Hotel Indigo Exeter. Castlebridge Hospitality was selected as operating partner following its recent success in opening and operating its own three leading UK...

As southern Wales continues its drive to attract groups, it's switching to socially distanced methods of targeting coach and tour operators. For the past seven years Southern Wales Tourism has co-ordinated regular sales missions, fact finding visits and ‘meet the...

Discover England-funded ‘Connections’ has developed 40 new and updated ancestral, WWII and migration bookable tours to encourage both domestic and international visitors to experience more of real England. The purpose of the project - running in partnership with Visit...

Shakespeare Distillery has launched a new and unique white rum - ‘Jester’ - to accompany its portfolio of handcrafted premium products. The independent artisan spirit producer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been distilling gin for the past five years on its...

Group visits to more than 80 of English Heritage’s historic attractions countrywide will once again be possible from 17 May, provided the country successfully passes each milestone on the government’s roadmap.  They include Tintagel Castle (pictured here), Stonehenge...

Group travel organisers are invited to discover Coventry this summer on a special fam trip organised by Harry Shaw Group Travel. The three-day, two-night trip, run in partnership with Visit Coventry, takes place from Monday 21st June and costs £129 per person. The...

One of the UK’s top tourist destinations has surveyed the travel trade to ask them about bringing groups and coaches to their area. The survey took place over two weeks in February 2021 and the initial findings show that this year could, after all, be a bumper year...