The Coach Tourism Association’s 2024 event will give operators and suppliers a chance to network and gather information on new products and services
Bookings are now open for the Coach Tourism Association (CTA) Conference & Workshop 2024, which will take place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne from Sunday 28 to Tuesday 30 January. The annual event for the UK coach tourism industry brings together coach operators and wholesalers with suppliers including hotels, attractions, and service providers, each year generating new business opportunities.
The CTA Conference & Workshop is open to all CTA members, and non-members are also welcome to join the organisation to attend. The Association is offering a special October-only discount with a saving of £50 per person for bookings made by 31 October.
The event will be based at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead hotel and includes the CTA Meet the Buyer Workshop on the morning of Monday 29 January. The 2023 event featured nearly 800 pre-arranged 10-minute meetings, introducing coach operator and wholesaler buyers with suppliers, the Association reports. Supplier Showcases over the weekend will also give further opportunity to develop new product ideas.
Looking at attractions in detail, the event will also include guided trips to two locations in the North East, including lunch at the Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond on Sunday 28 January. Ahead of the main conference and workshop proceedings, delegates can also take part in a bonus experience trip to the Auckland Project on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January. Buyer attendees can also join a special DFDS cruise to Amsterdam following the conference, taking place from Tuesday 30 January to Thursday 1 February.
Meanwhile, the conference session is set to address industry hot topics, and networking dinners will present extensive opportunity to discuss coach tourism subjects including business development. “Booking your place now to the CTA Conference & Workshop 2024 makes a lot of sense,” said CTA Chair Robert Shaw. “Early booking not only guarantees your place, but it also gives you the potential to join the bonus fam trips. With hundreds of meetings between operators, wholesalers, and coach tourism suppliers all taking place at one event, there’s huge opportunity to develop business and new product. If there’s one event in the year that everyone involved in coach tourism should attend, it’s the annual Conference & Workshop.”
