THE trade association for UK export tourism businesses, UKinbound, is changing its membership and corporate structure following a successful vote by its current members earlier last month.

The membership changes will allow the merger of the Full and Associate Members categories in a new single membership classification with immediate effect, and the association will convert from a not-for-profit organisation to a company limited by guarantee, with effect from 1 January 2008.

UKinbound says the modifications are required to reflect the changes within the tourism industry in recent years that have significantly altered the business relationship between the previously defined Full and Associate Members.

UKinbound chairman Philip Green says: “This is an important development for the association which will enable us to go forward together as equal partners in the wider interest of the whole inbound industry.”

Company chief executive Stephen Dowd says: “The members of UKinbound have clearly demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the association remains relevant to today’s inbound tourism sector and is ready to face the challenges of the next decade.”

www.ukinbound.org

A GROUP of CTC coach operators and suppliers were royally treated on a familiarisation visit to London last month, which featured tours of Kensington Palace, the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, with overnight stay accommodated by Thistle Hotels. Other popular attractions included Historic Royal Palaces, Imperial War Museum and The Royal Collection.

Meanwhile, The CTC is looking to revive its popular social event on the first evening of BTTF by holding a dinner with entertainment at the Metropole Hotel in Birmingham on Tuesday 11 March. Joy Perrett of member Hilton Hotels is organising the social with prices, based on 200 people attending, set at £500 for a table of ten or £50pp for individuals attending. Those interested can register their interest now by e-mailing admin@coachtourismcouncil.co.uk

Furthermore, the CTC is delighted to welcome Shakespeare’s Globe, the famous theatre attraction on the South Bank in London, as a new member. It has a renowned visitor experience and offers guided tours for groups all year round. Also joining the CTC is QHotels, which has a prestigious selection of elegant, beautiful and sometimes historic individual properties, throughout the UK.

www.coachtourismcouncil.co.uk

BAKERS Dolphin Coaches, based in Weston-super-Mare, is acting to find better value for single people when they go on holiday by supporting hotels that do not charge single room supplements.

Single room supplements, charged by most UK hotels, can add around 50 per cent to a UK break away, says the operator, and with 38 per cent of UK households set to be occupied by single people by 2026, the company says the move is being made to recognise this growing sector of the holiday market.

Bakers Dolphin managing director Tim Newcombe says: “We have noticed a huge rise in the number of single people booking holidays with us over recent years. But on some trips we have to charge up to £175 extra for a single person because of the hotel single room supplements.” Bakers Dolphin will have a singles section for the first time in its brochure for 2008 holidays after negotiating with a number of hotels to end the single supplement.

www.bakersdolphin.com