One of the north west’s most popular retail coach stops is re-opening its doors to groups and coaches. The team at Ena Mill Retail in the Lancashire town of Atherton, Greater Manchester, are looking forward to welcoming back these important customers to its historic...

One of the country’s leading tourist attractions is to welcome groups back again – and Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey is celebrating with a special re-launch event for coach and tour operators, group travel organisers and inbound operators on Monday 19th October. An...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled its plans to have three of the fleet ‘back in the water’ in March and April 2021, with Balmoral to sail even sooner. The company’s two new ships, Bolette and Borealis, will take on the existing itineraries for Boudicca and Black...

Christmas at Waddesdon is back for 2020 with magical lights as well as a 30-day Christmas fair. The house is not open due to social distancing protocols, but instead an outdoor Winter Light experience will be created. To make the most of the Winter Light programme,...

English Heritage has re-opened six of its most popular attractions for pre-booked travel trade and group visits. They join Stonehenge, which has now been successfully welcoming pre-booked groups since early July. The charity has introduced a central booking system,...

East Cambridgeshire District Council has launched a new website to help visitors plan their ‘staycation’ in the district this summer – www.exploreeastcambs.co.uk With staying in the UK considered the safest option this summer, the Explore East Cambs interactive...

Brand new for the Christmas season in December this year, the award-winning South Devon Railway (SDR) will be welcoming Polar Express trains to the seven-mile heritage steam line. Held in partnership with UK-based PNP Events Ltd - who describe The Polar Express...

One of the country’s top fish and chip restaurants is to welcome back groups – and there’s never been a better time to book a group visit. The Olympus Fish and Chip Restaurant in Bolton, Lancashire has for long been a true destination for groups of coach parties...

Staff at West Midland Safari Park have been busy behind the scenes in a bid to make an impact on rhino conservation. The park is home to a ‘crash’ of southern white rhinos, which are part of an EEP (European Endangered Species Programme). This is a collaboration...

With the Netherlands now confirmed as a quarantine-free destination for UK travellers, there’s no better place to spend quality time with the family than at Efteling – the fairytale theme park in the south of Holland. Until 30 August, Efteling is celebrating the...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm will celebrate its 35th birthday this Friday (24 July) – and although the celebrations will be low key, the gates will be open to warmly welcome visitors back. The attraction reopened safely on 4 July in accordance with COVID-19...

Hever Castle in Kent has been awarded the VisitEngland We’re Good to Go industry standard, confirming it is adhering to the Government’s COVID-19 re-opening guidance. We’re Good to Go status has been award to Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever Castle Venue &...

As people and businesses tentatively expand their post-lockdown horizons, one north Lancashire heritage attraction has been putting itself through a testing time – deliberately. Leighton Hall, just north of Lancaster near Carnforth, joined forces with the staff of...

After the Covid-19 forced lockdown, Yorkshire tourism is taking its first tentative steps to normality. Many attractions, such as stately homes and gardens, are opening up, and Yorkshire is expected to benefit from a surge in domestic tourism. Yorkshire Blue Badge...

Airedale Tours has launched its 2021 brochure and biggest ever programme, with over 40 new tour ideas for groups in the UK, Europe and beyond. Commercial Director Rob Carroll explains: “All the Airedale favourites are there, but we have expanded our selection to...

Having received its 'Good to Go' industry standard mark from VisitEngland, the British Motor Museum will reopen on Saturday 4 July and is looking forward to welcoming visitors back through its doors. As part of a phased reopening plan the Museum will be open from...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm has announced that it's to re-open on 4 July in accordance with COVID-19 Government guidelines and social distancing measures. Since the Butterfly Farm temporarily closed, the team have worked hard to ensure best procedure is in...

Following the Government's announcement on 23 June, staff at West Midland Safari Park are thrilled to be able to open the attraction fully, including the Adventure Theme Park, from Saturday 4 July. Since 15 June the Park has only been partially open, allowing guests...

Hatton Shopping Village and Hatton Adventure World in Warwickshire will re-open on Friday (19 June) after what has clearly been a deeply worrying time for the local independent shops that occupy the old Victorian farm buildings, and for those looking after the...

One of the UK’s leading hotel and holiday companies - Daish’s Holidays - has purchased another hotel to add to its growing portfolio. The Esplanade Hotel in Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast has 72 bedrooms, many with incredible views from its hilltop location...

Two leading retail sites in Lancashire - Ena Mill in Atherton https://www.enamill.co.uk/ and Courtyard at Tarleton https://courtyardtarleton.co.uk/ - are set to re-open their doors to shoppers from Monday June 15th.   Social distancing protocols will be in place in...

The hospitality industry may be able to be partially re-activated in July after an extended period of lockdown and closure for the UK tourism economy. This was announced in a special TV address by the Prime Minister this week and has created much debate among...

The team at historic Painshill in Surrey are urging Group Travel World magazine readers to look at bringing a group to visit the attraction in the later part of 2020 or throughout 2021 to experience the unique delights of a park where the walk is a work of art. It's...

Following news that this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show has had to be cancelled, the RHS has announced it will create an online Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate the great horticultural industry and joys of gardening during what should have been show week. ...

Following the recent news that the NEC, Birmingham is being repurposed into a temporary NHS 'Nightingale' Hospital for patients with Coronavirus we have made the tough decision to move the British Tourism & Travel Show to the 22-23 October 2020.  We have been...

Steve Reed, who runs Steve Reed Tourism with his wife Judith, says... As you can imagine, we have had to postpone some of our showcases, events, fams and group activities – but that’s nothing compared to what many companies have had to experience. We are genuinely...

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is encouraging passengers to look forward to 2021 - and the arrival of their new flagship and latest addition to their fleet, Amy Johnson. Passengers who book now for next year can take advantage of a buy one, get one free offer...

A SMALL PAUSE FOR OUR SMALL SHIPS You will no doubt be aware that we have taken the difficult decision to pause cruise operations for a period of time. The travel industry is facing challenging and unprecedented times as a result of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19....

Following last week’s announcement of the planned opening date of BeWILDerwood Cheshire, (www.bewilderwood.co.uk), the team have confirmed the date has been postponed to 18th July 2020. Given the current global situation and uncertainty at this time, BeWILDerwood...

Following the announcement that it has delayed its 2020 season opening, North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has launched a crisis appeal to secure its livelihood and keep it on track to reopen later this year. The attraction was first formed in 1967, and as the UK’s...

As of today, Tuesday 17th March 2020, Twycross Zoo has announced that its doors will remain open and its team of hard-working staff is on hand to welcome visitors from across the region to the 100-acre, open-air zoo. Those who are making a visit can rest assured the...

HEATHROW EXPRESS PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY WITH FIXED DATE TICKETS Heathrow Express is offering customers with fixed date tickets including Duo Saver and Group Saver tickets the option to change their travel date for free. If customers have a Fixed Day Single Standard...

Information for UK tourism businesses on the outbreak of COVID-19, including the current situation impact on travel to and from the UK and links to useful information and advice. The best source of information for any visitors with individual questions or health...

Hatton Adventure World in Warwickshire will once again host its annual “Spring Spectacular” from 4 - 19 April when the family attraction welcomes an abundance of spring-born animals. Visitors can visit the Spring Arrivals Marquee and see baby chicks, ducklings,...

A range of new cycling holidays, due to launch in June 2020, have already secured hundreds of advanced accommodation bookings from travel giant TUI Holidays. The holidays have been created by tourism experts Visit Lincoln after funding was secured through Visit...

The British Travel & Tourism Show 2020 is fast approaching, and many of this year’s 250+ exhibitors are planning some exciting new launches. The event will showcase some of the best new up and coming trends, products and experiences in the tourism and travel...

The UK travel trade saw and experienced all that was good about the Southern Wales tourism industry last week during a special fact-finding tour 1-3 March. Coach and tour operators, GTOS and inbound tour operators made a bee line for the region for a series of tours,...

The next generation of ferry travel sailed into Belfast Harbour last month, with Stena Edda undertaking important final trials before it welcomes passengers on the Belfast to Liverpool route in the coming weeks. Welcomed by a flotilla of boats, Stena Edda arrived at...

Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides have unveiled a series of special brand-new tours for 2020 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund. In this special anniversary year, the Tour Guides are preparing for an increase in interest in the...

Parents, grandparents and children of all ages can get their half term off to an exciting start at BeWILDerwood Cheshire, opening for the first time on Saturday 23rd May 2020. BeWILDerwood is a fabulous family day out full of fun, imagination and adventure and, unlike...

Hotel Indigo Stratford upon Avon has won a Silver award in the prestigious West Midlands Tourism Awards. The boutique hotel picked up the award in the New Tourism Business Award category at a special ceremony held last month at the University of Birmingham’s Great...

‘Mini Madness’ returns to the British Motor Museum this Easter, from 4-26 April with a host of Mini-themed family activities. Visitors can join the Mini Factory costumed characters on a family tour, design and make a Mini, or explore the museum with the Fix It Family...

Celebrity chefs Sean Wilson and Paul Rankin will be demonstrating their culinary skills in the Stoves Cookery Theatre at Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival over the summer bank holiday weekend on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August.  Top chefs from some of the...

Albatross Travel has appointed Louise Fitzpatrick as Senior Account Manager with immediate effect. Louise joins from Marriott Hotels Ltd, where she has worked for 16 years, most recently as National Account Manager – Leisure, based in the North of England. In her new...

The River Cruise Line has been re-named and re-branded as Arena River Cruises, bringing it into line with the rest of parent company Arena Travel's portfolio, ahead of the start of the 2020 cruising season. The move comes almost exactly three years after the river...