The Coach Tourism Association (CTA)'s annual Coach Holiday Conference and AGM saw an impressive 150 delegates gather at the beautiful Imperial Hotel Blackpool.
At the CTA’s AGM on Tuesday 27 February, Denise Bridges announced she is stepping down as Chair and from the Board after three years at the helm.
In a meeting after the AGM, the Board elected John Wales, of ticket agency Encore, as its new Chair, hailing a “new era” for the organisation.
John Wales says: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected Chairman of the CTA, having been a board member for over six years and involved in the industry since 1982, working in various aspects of the trade.
“The timing is perfect.”
He is joined by three new board members: Daniel Kirby, Kirby’s Coaches; Roger Bull, RB Travel; and Colin Fawcus, DFDS Ferries. Robert Shaw of Harry Shaw becomes vice-chairman.
CEO Chris Wales thanked Ms Bridges and praised her “excellent legacy”, saying she had steered the CTA through choppy waters. He said: “Along with Treasurer Steve Lee, the CTA has never been in better financial shape.”
Ms Bridges spoke about the challenges faced by the industry.
She also talked about major changes in the CTA itself, including the retirement of Paul Ovington and the appointment of Steve and Sue Rooney to fill his shoes; the loss of Stuart Duddy and Graham Hopcraft from the Board; and the CTA’s joining of the Tourism Alliance, giving it the opportunity to lobby the government.
The centrepiece of the event was the full-day conference on Monday 26 February, which started with a networking event of 10-minute face-to-face meetings between suppliers and tour operators.
In the afternoon, the delegates gathered to see Countryfile's Anita Rani speak about her career, Countryfile Live and her surprisingly broad experience of coach travel.
In an informal session with Countryfile producer Tim Etchells, she talked about the wholesome effect of the TV show – one of the most consistently popular TV programmes in Britain – on people’s lives, especially people in cities, and she paid tribute to Countryfile’s top presenter John Craven.
She talked about why groups should visit Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace, a four-day county show-style celebration taking place in August.
The other speakers were:
Debbie Marshall from Silver Travel Advisor. She spoke about different kinds of travellers the coach sector can tap into, including ‘empty nesters’ looking for luxury short breaks, ‘golden retirees’ looking for multiple longer holidays, and ‘home birds’ looking for UK tours, day trips and theatre breaks.
She also pointed out that the coach tourism sector has a 25-year window of opportunity, because as ‘millennials’ age they will work for longer, won’t be as wealthy and will probably look at travel in a different way.
Simon Smith of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, who updated delegates on new Clean Air Zones (CAZs) coming into force in the next few years, which require coach operators to run Euro 6 fleets.
Seven CAZs including London have already been announced for the UK, but there is potential for more in 59 local authorities, and Wales is expected to announced a Clean Air Plan this year.
Philip Welsh, from Visit Blackpool, who talked about the town’s regeneration in recent years and its plans for the future. These include a £25m conference centre by 2019; new modern hotels, including Blackpool’s first five-star hotel; a new IMAX cinema; electrification of the rail network; and a tram extension to Blackpool North station.
