British Coach Tourism Awards 2018: Winners announced

The UK’s best coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions, hotels, and tourism industry suppliers, were honoured on the 21st March at the 2018 British Coach Tourism Awards, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be announced as "Coach Tour Operator" of the year in the Medium Fleet category.

The prestigious awards ceremony, which took place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham following the first day of the British Tourism & Travel Show, brought together nearly 400 industry professionals to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation across the multi-billion-pound coach tourism sector.

Beverley, National Memorial Arboretum, Lovers Canal Cruises, Condor Ferries, Broads Tours, West Somerset Railway, Rendezvous Hotel (Skipton), Hilton Worldwide, ICT Group Travel, Bateaux London, 42nd Street, Gardiners NMC, and Shaws of Maxey all took home accolades.  While winning coach tour operators included: Gardiners NMC, Bakers Dolphin, Bayliss Executive Travel, Travel by Knight and Hough’s of Lincolnshire. 

Full list of winners

Coach Friendly Destination (partnered by The NEC)

– Beverley

Coach Friendly Attraction (partnered by Shearings)

– National Memorial Arboretum

European Coach Friendly Attraction (partnered by DFDS)

– Lovers Canal Cruises

Cross-Sea Carrier (partnered by Edwards Coach Holidays)

– Condor Ferries

River and Inland Cruise Operator (partnered by Eastons Holidays)

– Broads Tours

Heritage Railway (partnered by the British Tourism & Travel Show)

– West Somerset Railway

Accommodation Provider (independent hotels) (partnered by West Midland Safari & Leisure Park)

– Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton

Accommodation Provider (hotel groups) (partnered by Bakers Dolphin)

–  Hilton Worldwide

Tour Wholesaler and Industry Supplier (partnered by Planet Hollywood & The View from The Shard)

– ICT Group Travel

Dining Experience (NEW) (partnered by the AGTO – Association of Group Travel Organisers)

– Bateaux London

Theatre Production – readers’ choice award (partnered by Group Tourism & Travel Magazine)

– 42nd Street

Holiday Programme (partnered by Distinctive Systems)

– Gardiners NMC

Day Excursion Programme (partnered by Warner Leisure Hotels)

– Shaws of Maxey

Coach Tourism Innovation of the Year (partnered by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle)

– Travel by Knight: Mini sleeper coach

Coach Tourism Professional of the Year (partnered by Longleat)

– Adrian Smith, Melanie Cox, and Alistair Scott, Gardiners NMC

Coach Tour Driver of the Year (partnered by Roadchef)

– Michael Blowers, Bakers Dolphin

Coach Tour Operator: Small Fleet (1-5 coaches) (partnered by Condor Ferries)

– Hough’s of Lincolnshire

Coach Tour Operator: Medium Fleet (6-15 coaches) (partnered by P&O Ferries)

– Bayliss Executive Travel

Coach Tour Operator: Large Fleet (more than 15 coaches) (partnered by Wrightsure)

– Bakers Dolphin

The British Coach Tourism Recognition Award (partnered by Hilton Worldwide)

– Brian Way, Wayahead Travel (posthumous)

For further information, including a full list of finalists and the judging panel, please visit www.britishcoachawards.co.uk.