Finalists for the British Coach Tourism Awards 2020 have been announced. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday 22 September at a live presentation evening at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. It will be hosted by sports presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing Champion Chris Hollins and coincide with the British Tourism and Travel show, held at the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 September.
Included on the finalists’ list are coach tour operators, coach friendly destinations, attractions, hotels and tourism suppliers. The presentation evening has been postponed on three occasions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, but judges praised the “exceptional” quality of entries when first reviewing submissions in January 2020.
Says Event Director Helen Conway: “After 18 long months of widespread disruption across the sector, we are delighted to be able to host the British Coach Tourism Awards celebrations as we collectively welcome the return of coach tourism.
“Finally, we will find out which of the deserving finalists will be crowned winners for their exemplary pre-pandemic achievements, at a fantastic in-person presentation evening where we can truly celebrate the reunion and restart of our industry. Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists.”
Three new categories were introduced for the planned 2020 ceremony. One is for History and Heritage, a second is for those entrants that operate guided tours and the third is for operators and suppliers with the best social media campaign.
The finalists’ list is as follows:
Coach Friendly Destination (partnered by Floating Grace)
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Otley
- Southport
- Wells.
Coach Friendly Attraction – History and Heritage (partnered by Beverley, East Yorkshire)
- Bletchley Park Trust
- Castle Howard
- Hever Castle and Gardens
- Swanage Railway
- Warwick Castle.
Coach Friendly Attraction (partnered by Beverley, East Yorkshire)
- Aerospace Bristol
- Emirates Spinnaker Tower
- Land Rover Experience Solihull
- Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village and Garden Centre
- RHS Gardens
- The Royal Mint Experience.
Coach Friendly Guided Tour (partnered by Coachmarque)
- Bletchley Park Trust
- Canterbury Tourist Guides
- Culloden Battlefield
- Holkham
- Land Rover Experience Solihull
- The Royal Mint Experience.
Cross-Sea Carrier (partnered by Action Tours)
- DFDS
- Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
- P&O Ferries.
River and Inland Cruise Operator (partnered by DFDS)
- City Cruises Poole
- Floating Grace
- Forth Boat Tours
- Plymouth Boat Trips
- Stuart Line Cruises.
Accommodation Provider – Independent Hotel (partnered by Harmony Coach Holidays)
- Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold
- Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island
- Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton.
Accommodation Provider – Hotel Groups (partnered by Albatross Travel)
- Almarose Hotels and Resorts (The Q Hotels Collection)
- Best Western Hotels and Resorts GB
- Hilton
- Leisureplex Holiday Hotels.
Coach Tourism Industry Supplier (partnered by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle)
- Advantage Now
- Encore Tickets
- ITO Tours B.V.
- Roeville Reservation Software.
Tour Wholesaler (partnered by Planet Hollywood and The View from The Shard)
- Action Tours
- Albatross Travel
- Ashley and Newey
- Greatdays Travel Group
- Hospitality Line
- Norman Allen Group Travel.
Coach Tourism Professional of the Year (partnered by Continuum Attractions)
- Barry Cobb, Johnsons Coaches
- Steven Scott, Ashley and Newey
- Martin Slater, Greatdays Travel Group.
Coach Tour Driver of the Year (partnered by Roadchef Motorways)
- Glyn Harrison, Alfa Travel
- Andy Hinks, Lucketts Travel
- Damon Kiss, Dunwood Travel.
Holiday Programme (partnered by Distinctive Systems)
- Acklams Coaches
- Jones International
- Kirbys Coaches
- Leisuretime (Wales)
- Skills Holidays
- Woods Travel, Bognor Regis.
Day Excursion Programme (partnered by P&O Ferries)
- Exley’s Travel
- IC Travel
- Kirbys Coaches
- Skills Holidays
- Woods Travel, Bognor Regis.
Coach Tour Operator Social Media Campaign (partnered by John Hill Coach Sales and Services)
- Harry Shaw
- Johnsons Coaches
- Jones International.
Coach Tour Operator – Small Fleet (1-5 coaches) (partnered by City Cruises)
- Black’s of Brechin
- ICT Coaches
- Jones International
- Masons Minibus and Coach Hire.
Coach Tour Operator – Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches) (partnered by Warner Leisure)
- Acklams Coaches
- Dunwood Travel
- Kirbys Coaches
- Woods Travel, Bognor Regis.
Coach Tour Operator – Large Fleet (over 15 coaches) (partnered by Wrightsure Insurance Services)
- Alfa Travel
- Edwards Coaches
- Johnsons Coaches.
British Coach Tourism Recognition Awards (partnered by Hilton)
As in previous years, there is no shortlist for this category. The winner will be announced on the evening.
The British Coach Tourism Awards judging panel is made up of:
- Anthony Amos, Head of Business Development and Membership, UKinbound
- Richard Delahoy, Founder and Managing Director, Signal Training and Consultancy Services
- Stuart Duddy, formerly of DFDS, Eurotunnel and P&O Ferries
- Wendy Hartley-Scarff, CEO, Association of Group Travel Organisers
- Ian Jeffries, Director, Visit By Coach
- John Wales, Chair, Crafty Brewing Company; Co-Founder, Encore Tickets; former Chair, Coach Tourism Association
- Andy Warrender, Coach Operations Manager, RHA
- Steve Whiteway, Consultant, S R Whiteway and Son; three-time former President, Confederation of Passenger Transport.
Event organiser Diversified Communications has confirmed that tickets remain available for the British Coach Tourism Awards at £125 plus VAT each, or £1,250 plus VAT for a table of 10. The price includes a three-course dinner with wine. For more information and to book, click here. To find out more about the British Tourism and Travel Show, and to register for free tickets, click here.
