The glamorous British Coach Tourism Awards returns to the National Motorcycle Museum next year. We’ve lined up our judges, and we’re inviting you to enter now
It’s time to start getting ready for the hottest night of the coach tourism calendar.
Yes, the prestigious British Coach Tourism Awards (BCTAs) has its date for next year.
Taking place on Wednesday 21 March 2018, the BCTAs will once again be held at the National Motorcycle Museum adjacent to the NEC, Birmingham, thanks to the success of the venue for this year’s event. Plans are already being made for the most show-stopping BCTAs yet.
Two raisons d’être
There are two purposes to the BCTAs.
The first is to recognise and reward those businesses that make life as easy as possible for coach group organisers – attractions, destinations, hotels, wholesalers and other suppliers that contribute to the UK’s thriving group tourism sector by being as “coach-friendly” as possible.
The second strand to the BCTAs is the all-important operator awards. From having a stunning holiday brochure to efficiently running a high-quality fleet, the BCTAs reward coach tour operators that showcase to the rest of the world just how good coach holidays can be.
And, we’ve introduced a couple of exciting new awards this year.
The first is Dining Experience, which recognises the many exceptional food and drink options that are now available for groups – from dining on board a river cruise, to visiting a themed restaurant that’s an attraction in itself.
The second is Theatre Production, and this is where our readers come in. In the next few months, we will be inviting you through the pages of GT&T to nominate your favourite stage show of 2017. It’s your opinion that will count, so look out for the chance to have your say.
The judges
As always, judging will be carried out by a panel of coach tourism industry experts, led by GT&T Editor Jessamy Chapman.
We’re delighted to welcome to the panel Steve Whiteway. Steve needs little introduction – he is well-known as the last Managing Director of Epsom Coaches, where he spent well over 30 years of his career, starting out as a coach driver in 1980.
We are particularly pleased and grateful that he’s able to lend his time and expertise to the BCTAs judging, as he embarks on his new-found state of retirement.
Another well-known face joining the panel this year is Antony Amos, Head of Business Development and Membership at UKinbound, the trade body for incoming tourism. Antony’s career and passion for tourism took him to Lord’s Cricket Ground for 10 years running the tours and museum department, before joining UKinbound three years ago. He now regularly travels the UK visiting and engaging with tourism businesses.
Our final new judge is Mark King, Chairman of the British Guild of Tourist Guides. Mark is a Blue Badge Guide in his hometown of London. He has a degree from Oxford University, and worked in marketing before moving to the City’s professional services sector in law firms. He has worked alongside many coach tour operators in his time as a tour guide.
Last but certainly not least, Chris Wales, Chief Executive of the Coach Tourism Association, rejoins the judges for another exciting year on the panel.
Get entering
The deadline for awards submissions is 17 November 2017.
That gives you a good four months to put your best foot forward and enter. Entry is by self-nomination, with a simple form to fill out and the opportunity to send plenty of supplementary evidence to demonstrate you’re a first-class coach tourism star.
Your submission will be carefully considered in December by our panel of judges, who will be going through entries with fine-tooth combs to identify the very best in the business.
Once they have made their decisions, the shortlist will be published in the issue of GT&T dated January 2018.
And while that’s going on, you can get ready to celebrate the industry in style by booking your tickets in advance, so as not to miss out on another fantastic night.
We promise you an evening to remember.
The categories are…
- Coach Friendly Destination
- Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction
- European Coach Friendly Attraction
- Cross-Sea Carrier
- River and Inland Cruise Operator
- Heritage Railway
- Accommodation Provider (independent hotels)
- Accommodation Provider (hotel groups)
- Tour Wholesaler and Industry Supplier
- Dining Experience (NEW)
- Theatre Production – reader’s choice award (NEW)
- Holiday Programme
- Day Excursion Programme
- Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year
- Coach Tourism Professional of the Year
- Coach Tour Driver of the Year
- Coach Tour Operator – Small Fleet (1-5 coaches)
- Coach Tour Operator – Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches)
- Coach Tour Operator – Large Fleet (more than 15 coaches)
- The British Coach Tourism Recognition Award
Full entry criteria and entry form are at britishcoachawards.co.uk
The deadline for entries is Friday 17 November 2017
To nominate yourself or a colleague, download and complete the entry form at britishcoachawards.co.uk
For enquiries contact Helen Milton on hmilton@divcom.co.uk or 01273 645121. To book tickets visit britishcoachawards.co.uk
