BATH & North East Somerset council has developed a new booking system for coach operators visiting Bath, and tour organisers are being urged to register their group visits during the busy Christmas Market period.

Bath Christmas market, which takes place from 29 November to 9 December, is an increasingly popular attraction for coach tour operators. In order to manage the large number of coaches visiting the city, operators are urged to fill a new booking form, available directly from www.bathnes.gov.uk.

Each registered operator will receive detailed information in the lead up to the 11-day event. The new booking form will also take effect after the event to help control the number of coach visits to Bath more effectively.

Any operators that do not register with the council may incur a £60 penalty charge notice. The charge for a pre-booked coach parking permit is £25 per visit. Coaches which do not pre-book will be refused access to the designated parking areas.

www.bathnes.gov.uk

THE COACH Tourism Council will once again join forces with coach tourism industry organisation Bonded Coach Holidays for its annual Coach Holiday Conference, to be held from Thursday 7 February to Saturday 9 February 2008.

The Holiday Inn in Harrogate has been chosen as the venue for the event. Full conference details, speakers and the programme of events will be sent out to members later this month. Special delegate rates will be available to coach operators in the hope of encouraging as many members as possible to help support the event.

In the meantime, following the success of the socials at Belvoir Castle, the Leicester Marriott and the recent summer party at the Ramada Hotel & Resort Birmingham, the CTC is arranging another social event for the autumn.

The Renaissance Reading, also part of Marriott, is hosting an overnight social on 21 October to which all members are welcome to attend. The event will feature a familiarisation visit to Windsor Castle during the afternoon followed by an informal networking event in the evening. Those interested should register with admin@coachtourismcouncil.co.uk

www.coachtourismcouncil.co.uk

ORGANISERS of Excursions 2008 have confirmed a 20 per cent increase in stand bookings on the same period last year. The one-day group travel show will be held at Alexandra Palace, North London on Saturday 12 January (10.30am-4pm).

Joint show organiser Fran Downton, Tourism South East travel trade manager says: “Excursions is continuing to grow in popularity by both exhibitors and visitors alike. The 2008 show promises to offer new and unmissable opportunities for group travel organisers planning their days out and short beaks next year.”

Over 200 exhibitors from across the UK, but with emphasis on London and the south and east of England, are expected to take part in the free entry show.

Exhibitors will include castles, museums, wild animal parks and zoos, botanical gardens, historic houses, art galleries and steam train and riverboat operators as well as heritage destinations, theatre agencies and tour operators that offer group packages and tailor-made tours.

Amongst the first time exhibitors for 2008 are the Royal Horticultural Society garden Wisley and Whitchurch Silk Mill, BBC Tours, Cadbury World, the National Maritime Museum Greenwich, Windsor and the Royal Borough, Simply Groups and Airedale Tours.

Free coach travel is available with pick-ups from around 20 major towns as well as selected central London main line railway stations. Pre-booking is essential.

www.excursions.org.uk