Reading the Big Story about CPT’s Coaching Conference (routeone/Big Story/22 November) really highlighted the need for operators to move with the times when it comes to technology.
People often hark back to the ‘good old days’ of the coach industry, but they need to accept that change is inevitable and embracing technology rather than rebuff it is the way forward.
However, the use of social media and digital platforms to entice more business and new customers is all very well, but the coach industry can only continue to thrive if more towns and cities welcome coaches and their passengers.
More and more it seems that coach parking facilities are being moved further out of towns or closed completely.
While attracting younger generations to coach travel and changing their perceptions of coach holidays is important, we must also work to change the views of those working for councils and local authorities. Not only are we bringing in a coach-load of tourists to spend money in their towns and cities, one coach is much better for congestion than 10 cars, for example.
How hard is it to provide basic facilities for coaches?
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