Leicestershire welcomes leading UK group travel specialists

Leading UK coach tour operators and group travel organisers visited Leicestershire from
25-27 March 2011 on an exclusive familiarisation trip, organised by Leicester Shire Promotions. 31 representatives from 17 organisations attended the trip, hosted by Leicester Shire Promotions and the National Forest Company, and aimed at showcasing some of the destination's tourism highlights for the important group travel market.

The group travel representatives were hosted on a tour that included Snibston Discovery Museum, Twycross Zoo, Conkers, Bosworth Battlefield, National Memorial Arboretum, Calke Abbey and The National Forest. Accommodation partners included Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel and Aspect Hotel Tamworth.

Ken Shreeve from Belle Coaches said: "The familiarisation visit was very useful - gave me a great insight into the attractions in Leicestershire. It's good to learn more about the attractions, as until you visit them for yourself you can't sell them on to group travel organisers. I thought that Snibston and Twycross Zoo were great."

Terry & Beverly Hunt from Reg's Coaches said: "It was great that Conkers was developing woodlands using British trees. We found the National Memorial Arboretum very interesting, relaxing and informative - far more detailed that we thought it would be. Snibston was excellent for group travel organisers and Twycross Zoo was very well laid out. This familiarisation visit has been very useful - the whole reason why we came on this visit was to find out more."

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, commented: "The group travel market continues to provide opportunities for the local visitor economy and experience has shown that the most effective way of promoting Leicester and Leicestershire is directly to the coach tour operators and group travel organisers themselves. These trips provide guests with an opportunity to experience Leicester and Leicestershire's tourism offering first-hand and previous visits have led to numerous repeat bookings from these groups."

This familiarisation trip continues Leicester Shire Promotions ongoing campaign to promote the city and county to the group travel market. Leicester Shire Promotions recently launched the new Group Travel Guide for Leicester and Leicestershire. The new publication is aimed at group travel organisers and coach tour operators, and includes highlights of accommodation and places for groups to visit in the city and county.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Group Travel Guide was officially launched at the major Best of Britain and Ireland (BOBI) exhibition at NEC Birmingham from 16-17 March 2011. To request a copy of the brochure, please contact groups@goleicestershire.com or call 0116 299 6666.