The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) has backed the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and stressed the need for government to classify coach holidays as part of the leisure sector in order to access financial support.
On 2 September CPT called on Minister Nigel Huddleston to support the coaching industry this winter or risk £14bn and 27,000 jobs to the UK economy.
Supporting the call, CTA Chair John Wales says he fails to understand how coach businesses transporting holidaymakers have not been classified as ‘in the leisure sector’.
He says: “CTA coach tour companies operate tours year round to all regions throughout the UK, delivering groups of clients to many destinations, attractions and hotels that rely on their group business, especially in off peak periods.
“It is vital for the UK tourism mix that this sector is given special attention so this vital contribution to Britain’s tourism industry continues.“