Wells is the latest city to be awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
It comes after two years’ work to improve all aspects of group visits in the city in a successful ‘Visit by Coach’ project.
It also follows the Bishop’s Palace and Cathedral both being awarded Coach Friendly Attraction status last year.
CPT SW Regional Manager John Burch says: “The partnership in the City of Wells have now won Coach Friendly status for the entire city, and demonstrated that the principles can be expanded to really benefit businesses and attractions across an even wider area.
“Ian Jefferies led the successful bid team who have combined forces to offer coach groups an excellent package at this beautiful Somerset destination. CPT hopes that the work undertaken to achieve the award will result in a growth in coach numbers and indeed, the actual length of coach stays, in the city.
“CPT will continue to liaise with City of Wells to monitor how coach traffic develops.”
Ian Jefferies of Visit by Coach says: “This award is great recognition of two years’ collaborative working by many groups and individuals within Wells.
“The accreditation is highly regarded within the industry and will hopefully reinforce the great name Wells has gained in the group travel world and improve the visit of the passengers and drivers even more.
“It is fantastic that the tourism forum in Wells recognised the value of group travel and the huge financial impact it has on a destination, and they all should be congratulated on their positive attitude that has now seen this national recognition.
“The project has grown at a rapid pace with the support of many groups, businesses, the local authorities and not forgetting our amazing voluntary ‘meet and greet’ team.”
Wells was a finalist for Coach Friendly Destination in the British Coach Tourism Awards for the second year running.
