The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) reports that its Conference & Workshop 2025 achieved its best-ever attendance, as 200 members gathered in Stratford-upon-Avon on 8-11 February. The main business session saw a record number of 1,200 meetings at the event’s Meet the Buyer Workshop. With gold sponsor DFDS and silver sponsor Trust My Travel supporting the event, early attendees on Saturday were welcomed at Vine Hotels’ Clarion Charlecote Pheasant hotel before transfer to the main host venue, Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon.
“Record attendance at the CTA Conference is a demonstration for the travel trade of the power of face-to-face discussions with a dedicated, business development focus,” said CTA Chair Robert Shaw. “Coach tourism operators increasingly see the Conference & Workshop as the annual event to help develop their future products. With a fertile audience of buyers who are ready to do business, it’s clear why the event is so popular with suppliers to the sector, from hotels to attractions.”
The event included a familiarisation trip to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and an orientation tour of Shakespeare’s houses, including Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, led by a Blue Badge Guide and with transport by Johnsons Coaches, followed by a tour and guided tasting session at Shakespeare Distillery. The Shakespearean theme continued in the evening with performances by Events From History, including a 20-minute version of Romeo & Juliet.
An operator panel featuring David Blake of Blakes Coaches, Roger Bull from RB Travel/Taurus Holidays, Jason Edwards of Jason Edwards Travel and Louise Webster from Acklams Coaches then faced a question and answer session, focusing on issues around attracting a younger audience and workforce, service levels at hotels and ports, plus changing the coach tourism image. The evening was capped with a trip to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, followed by dinner at RSC Stratford Rooftop restaurant, and the event concluded on the Tuesday with a trip to St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry, home to over 700 years of history and a one-time host of The Crown Jewels, Next year’s CTA Conference is scheduled to take place in Derry-Londonderry from 7 to 10 February, whilst the next CTA events are a networking reception on 19 March, the Spring Networking event on 17 to 19 May and the Winter Networking event from
21 to 24 November.
