Despite getting caught in the rain, the 100 guests of the Coach Tourism Association had a good time at annual shindig and VisitScotland event
Over 100 coach tour operators and industry suppliers attended the Coach Tourism Association (CTA)’s annual Summer BBQ on Sunday 30 July.
Due to the disappointing weather, the Best Western Burn Hall Hotel in York arranged for the barbecue to be turned into an indoor dinner party instead, which CTA Chair Denise Bridges says was “clearly enjoyed by all”.
A highlight of the afternoon was greeting Martin Laver of All About Tours, who had cycled from his home in Nottingham to York to raise sponsorship for the favourite charity of the late Brian Way, who was a board member of the CTA.
On top of this, the evening charity raffle raised over £600 towards a brick, engraved with Brian’s name, to be placed in the “Path of Remembrance” at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Training Centre.
The event saw fam trips in York on the Sunday, and on the Monday a VisitScotland workshop was held at Burn Hall Hotel.
Rona Wallace, from Visit Scotland, says: “I am delighted that so many English and Welsh operators turned up to see a showcase of Scotland’s finest attractions.
“It is important that we keep in personal contact with the UK Travel Trade to keep them updated on Scotland’s latest tourism offer.”
Taking a desk at the Workshop along with major hotel groups were leading Scottish visitor attractions, including Cairngorm Mountain, Historic Scotland, New Lanark World Heritage Site, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Yacht Britannia.