The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) Winter Networking event in the UK drew more than 160 participants from the country’s coach tourism industry. CTA members shared positive outcomes, with new business opportunities emerging for upcoming trips and tours.

Held at The Imperial Hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire, from November 23-25, the event featured valuable networking sessions that connected industry buyers and suppliers. A dedicated Supplier Showcase further facilitated partnerships, enabling coach tour operators and wholesalers to collaborate with hotels, attractions, destinations, and service providers to develop new tourism products.

“Strong attendance from operators and wholesalers in Blackpool has driven excellent participation from high-quality suppliers,” says CTA Chair, Robert Shaw. “CTA operators were delighted with the opportunities to create new trips and tours. For suppliers, CTA Winter Networking was a demonstration of the commercial value of attending our industry’s most important business generation events.”

Before the networking dinner at the event, Councillor Peter Hunter, the Mayor of Blackpool, commended coach tourism during his address to the CTA delegation, emphasizing the significant economic impact of coach tourism on the resort.

The CTA Winter Networking event also featured an Afternoon Tea in the stunning Blackpool Tower Ballroom, hosted by Merlin Entertainments. Attendees enjoyed exclusive familiarization trips to local attractions, including Merlin’s High Jinx circus, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, and Sea Life Blackpool Aquarium.

“The weekend showed the importance of hosting fam visits to meet coach tourism operators face-to-face to closely understand the needs of coach tour customers,” says Suzie Gildon, Merlin Entertainments. “Participation in CTA Winter Networking generated a lot of new interest in our attractions and we look forward to partnering with many new coach operators as a result.”

The weekend also included a trip to Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust property located near Ormskirk, and the Christmas by the Sea celebration hosted by VisitBlackpool.

Event sponsors featured Irish Ferries, Merlin Entertainments, CN Live Productions, and Visit Blackpool, with transport provided by Bretherton’s Gold Line Tours for the Fam trip.

Looking ahead, the CTA’s next major event is the CTA Conference & Workshop 2025, the UK sector’s key annual gathering, scheduled for 8-11 February 2025 in Stratford-upon-Avon.