Celebrate English Tourism Week at BTTS18

From its vibrant cities and historic towns, to its beautiful countryside, England’s tourism product has been called ‘the envy of the world’. This year BTTS18 is taking place during English Tourism Week – a week long celebration of the value and quality of tourism in England. To mark the occasion, here’s a few English exhibitors to meet at the show…

Cogges Manor Farm is promoting tours to the farm featured in Downton Abbey, otherwise known as Yew Tree Farm from the popular TV series. Visitors can discover over 1000 years of history and an authentic window into life in The Cotswolds as far back as the Domesday Book.

“What better time to visit the British Tourism & Travel Show than during English Tourism week. At Cogges, we’re keen to celebrate the fabulous hidden gems of the English Countryside,” says Kim Hall, marketing manager at Cogges Manor Farm.

Dunster in Exmoor is previewing its five-night residential walking holiday based in the medieval village of Dunster. Visitors can arrive on 3 April 2018 to walk the first 35 miles of the scenic South West Coast Path over 4 days. The holiday includes all meals, guiding and transport to and from the walk locations (stand E14).

Marketing Manchester is previewing its new bookable walking tour. Visitors can hop on the sightseeing bus, take a private taxi tour or jump aboard one of the cruises and see the city by water (stand A1).

Southport is launching its new ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’, a selection of inspirational ideas for a 4-night group-friendly itinerary. The itinerary includes time to discover Southport, and a choice of other destinations and attractions in the area, including Liverpool, Ena Mill and WWT Martin Mere (stand E20).

Marketing Liverpool is launching a new Groups Guide at this year’s show. They’ll also be celebrating ten years since winning European Capital of Culture with its blockbuster 2018 events programmes which includes: Terracotta Warriors at World Museum, waterfront events like Tall Ships Regatta, and Clipper Yacht Race, and Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s largest celebration of contemporary art (stand D17).

Rendezvous Hotel Skipton, the ‘Yorkshire Hotel by the Canal’ is launching its updated ‘The Real Yorkshire Experience’, 3 or 4-night packages for groups that include the opportunity to experience many of Yorkshire’s best known attractions like Bronte Parsonage, steam railways, Skipton Castle, vintage bus tours of the Dales and many more. The updates follow on from feedback from guests who have taken the packages over the last 12 months (stand F26).

The two resorts of Bournemouth and Poole have now joined together to form a fully integrated tourism service. With 10 miles of award winning sandy beaches between them, Bournemouth and Poole will be promoting its group adventures on the South Coast (stand A39).

Interactive Theatre International is promoting three new shows which includes: Faulty Towers A One Night Stand (for private events); Pamela’s Palace (PG); and Signor Baffo (for children). Also showcasing two 5* shows which are internationally acclaimed: The Wedding Reception, and Faulty Towers The Dining Experience (stand E13).

Mill Rythe by Away Resorts on Hayling Island has a packed programme of entertainment breaks for GTOs and their groups to experience in 2018, with new shows and celebrity appearances, including ‘The Ultimate Variety Weekend’ featuring Eddie the Eagle and Too Rex. This year over £150,000 has been spent on the park and accommodation which has received a 4-star rating from Visit England (stand G40).

Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire is showcasing its attractions: Sir Roy Strong’s Laskett Garden, White Heron’s group accommodation with British Cassis experience, and Labels designer shopping village. A prize draw will be open to visitors to win a free trip to all three destinations, plus new group day trips and short breaks in Herefordshire with TeamESL (stand D54).

Visit Worcester is promoting its new website which includes information on a wealth of heritage attractions, culture, shops and restaurants plus its latest event listing (stand C33).

Dartington Hall is promoting its recently carried out conservation works to its heritage deer park on the estate and are offering new tours of the magnificent landscape, the deer themselves and the abundant wildlife. Tours available to book for groups at a discounted rate of £5.00 per head (stand E40).

Welcome to Lincolnshire is promoting its special tribute to Lincolnshire’s RAF connections. Lincoln will be marking the 100th anniversary of the RAF with a new trail called 100 Voices – a collection of 100 voices sharing personal stories of military and civilian connections to the RAF (stand A20).

The Beatles Story in Liverpoolis celebrating 50 years since The Beatles travelled to Rishikesh, India with the launch of a new special exhibition, ‘Beatles in India’. The exhibition will look at this key and relatively secretive part of the Beatles’ story with never-before-seen memorabilia, imagery and personal accounts from the people who were there with the band in 1968 (stand D17).

To view the initial exhibitor list, please visit – www.tourismshow.co.uk/who-exhibits/

For more information about English Tourism Week, please visit – https://www.visitbritain.org/english-tourism-week

British Tourism & Travel Show returns to NEC Birmingham on 21-22 March 2018. For further information and to register, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk (direct link: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/BTTS2018.aspx?TrackingCode=BTTSPR)