A record 1,200 meetings between coach operators and industry suppliers are scheduled to take place at the Coach Tourism Association Conference and Workshop, due to be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on 8-11 February.
The annual event includes the Meet the Buyer Workshop, which is a series of pre-arranged, one-to-one business meetings between buyers, including operators and wholesalers, and suppliers, including hotels, ferry operators, service providers, attractions and destinations.
That element of the programme on 10 February is set to outdo the record of 860 meetings staged during last year’s workshop.
“The success of the Meet the Buyer Workshop is a result of pairing coach tourism operators and wholesalers with the industry suppliers they want to meet,” says CTA Chair Robert Shaw.
“Held over one morning, the event helps buyers generate product for coach trips and tours across the UK and Europe. For industry suppliers, the workshop gives them an audience that is actively seeking to progress business opportunities.”
The conference session itself, on the afternoon of 10 February, will feature an operator panel, and question-and-answer session hosted by former BBC transport correspondent Peter Plisner. The panel will include David Blake, Blakes Coaches; Roger Bull, RB Travel/Taurus Holidays; Jason Edwards, Jason Edwards Travel; and Louise Webster, Acklams Coaches.
The event will also host a question-and-answer session between Mr Plisner and Anthea Turner, TV presenter whose range of programmes include travel show Wish You Were Here…?
Over the four days, delegates will have chance to take part in familiarisation trips to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and houses, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, Shakespeare Distillery, and Coventry’s St. Mary’s Guildhall.
Sponsored by DFDS and Trust My Travel, the CTA Conference and Workshop will be based at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon.
CTA has this week relaunched its We Love Coaches advertising campaign. The initiative features online media targeted to consumers via websites and social media, while the official website carries a “find a coach operator” facility.
