Coach tour operators and coach-friendly suppliers are lauded at the British Coach Tourism Awards 2017, another fantastic night
It was another triumphant night for the coach tourism industry at the British Coach Tourism Awards 2017.
With a new name and branding – having previously been known as the National Coach Tourism Awards – the event also saw a new venue, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
It was the second year that this highlight of the industry’s calendar has been timed to coincide with the British Tourism & Travel Show on 22-23 March, a format that allowed the 350 guests of the Awards to network with peers at the show before and after the event – with an air of anticipation on the first day, and of bleary-eyed triumph the next.
The event was compered by TV star Gethin Jones, described as “gorgeous” by too many guests to count. He was an effortlessly charismatic and natural host, welcoming the sponsors and winners to the stage with ad-libbed jokes and bucketfuls of charm.
Entertainment was provided in partnership with Made, and saw two West End stars – Oliver Thompsett and Louise Dearman – performing gut-busting hits from musicals.
But the real stars of the night were the people who make up the coach tourism industry, and all winners and finalists should be very proud.
Coach winners
The BCTAs recognise the best coach tour operators in the business, and the judges were hard-pressed this year in judging such worthy finalists.
Edwards Coaches took home the top trophy, winning the award for Best Coach Tour Operator – Large Fleet.
Best Coach Tour Operator – Small Fleet went to Tally Ho! Holidays of Devon, while the Medium Fleet category was won by Highland Explorer Tours in Scotland.
Crusader Holidays also won big, taking home both the Coach Tour Operator Brochure award, and the Coach Tour Driver award for its driving team.
Glenton Holidays took home the Holiday Programme award, and Eastons Coaches won for its Day Excursion Programme – while Galloway Coach Travel won the Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year with its School of Rock branding.
Supplier categories
The event isn’t just about celebrating coach tour operators, but those destinations, attractions, hotels and other suppliers that make it as easy as possible for coach tour organisers to plan their trips.
Southport took home the accolade for Coach Friendly Destination.
The Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction award went to West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, while the European Coach Friendly Attraction award – new for 2017 – went to Titanic Belfast.
The Sea, Canal, Inland Riverboat Carrier (including Under-Sea) category was a tough one, won by Windermere Lake Cruises, and the Heritage Railway award was won by Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.
The Accommodation Provider and Tour Wholesaler awards went to Warner Leisure Hotels and Albatross Travel respectively, while the Accessibility Award (new for 2017) was won by Chester Zoo.
The special award
The most tear-jerking moment of the night came with the announcement of the British Coach Tourism Recognition Award, which went to Joan Johnson, of Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden.
Having been in the business for 60 years, Joan retired in 2016.
She joined in 1956 when Johnsons had just three coaches, a furniture removal lorry and a taxi, and was soon raising five children while running the business. She was also one of the first female coach drivers in the UK.
In 1981 she completed her first coach tour to Blair Gowrie with her son, and from there has escorted over 350 tours all over the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Her dedication saw her taking on research to each destination and excursion – her particular favourite was the Isles of Scilly. She has always made sure her customers are well looked after, even coming up with the company’s motto ‘Travel with Johnsons, Travel with Friends’.
To top it all off, in her spare time she volunteers for the local charity, raising over £11,000 in just three years.
Joan was unfortunately unable to attend the BCTAs, but her family were delighted to accept the award on her behalf – and sent a photo the next day of her with her trophy.
Congratulations from all of us at GT&T to all the worthy winners.
- Coach Friendly Destination (sponsored by P&O Ferries): Southport
- Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction (sponsored by Coach Tourism Association): West Midland Safari & Leisure Park
- European Coach Friendly Attraction (sponsored by DFDS): Titanic Belfast
- Sea, Canal, Inland Riverboat Carrier (including under-sea) (sponsored by Edward Coaches): Windermere Lake Cruises
- Heritage Railway (sponsored by Group Tourism & Travel magazine): Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
- Accommodation Provider (sponsored by British Tourism & Travel Show): Warner Leisure Hotels
- Tour Wholesaler (sponsored by Planet Hollywood & Ripley's): Albatross Travel
- Holiday Programme (sponsored by Irish Ferries): Glenton Holidays
- Day Excursion Programme (sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels): Eastons Coaches
- Accessibility Award (sponsored by Coach & Bus UK): Chester Zoo
- Coach Tour Operator Brochure (sponsored by Hospitality Line & City Cruises): Crusader Holidays
- Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Eurotunnel): Galloway Coach Travel: School of Rock coach
- Coach Tourism Professional of the Year (sponsored by Association of Group Travel Organisers): Lisa Weaver, Groups Coordinator, Woburn Abbey
- Coach Tour Driver of the Year (sponsored by Coach Drivers Club): Driver team at Crusader Holidays
- Coach Tour Operator: Small Fleet (1-5 coaches) (sponsored by Rendezvous Hotel): Tally Ho! Holidays
- Coach Tour Operator: Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches) (sponsored by Roadchef): Highland Explorer Tours
- Coach Tour Operator: Large Fleet (more than 15 coaches) (sponsored by Wrightsure): Edwards Coach Holidays
- The British Coach Tourism Recognition Award (sponsored by Hilton Worldwide): Joan Johnson
