Group Awards

Bournemouth recognised as a finalist at the annual Coach Tourism Awards.

Bournemouth was recognised as a finalist at the annual Coach Tourism Awards, held on the 9th May in Liverpool.

The national awards scheme, organised by trade magazine Coach Monthly, and hosted by television presenter and travel and tourism expert, Judith Chalmers, recognises excellence and innovation across the coach tourism industry. It includes tourist destinations and attractions, industry suppliers, and coach tour operators.

Bournemouth was a finalist in the category for 'Coach Friendly Town or City of the Year' that recognises towns or cities that have demonstrated a commitment to welcoming coaches, coach-groups, and coach drivers.
“Our winners and finalists are at the forefront in delivering excellence across all sectors of the industry, helping to raise the quality of customer service and quality across coach operators, destinations, visitor attractions and tourism industry suppliers.” says the editor of Coach Monthly, Stuart Render.

Bournemouth takes the stress out of planning a group holiday and makes sure that all groups visiting Bournemouth have a relaxed and enjoyable experience - our FREE Group Accommodation Service saves the time and effort of finding accommodation. We also have a dedicated group section on our website: bournemouth.co.uk/lovegroups, with a permanent home page banner, which displays everything anyone could need to know about group holidays in Bournemouth.

Bournemouth Tourism is proud to have been listed as a finalist for such a well respect award and we will continue to improve as a coach friendly destination.

Bournemouth dubbed “Best UK Resort”

Bournemouth has yet again been voted the top resort in the UK by readers of leading travel title Group Leisure magazine.  This is the fourth time the resort has won the coveted award having topped the poll in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and being a runner-up in 2012.

Bournemouth beat off stiff competition from Blackpool, Great Yarmouth and Weymouth to win the 2012 Group Leisure Awards Best UK Resort, announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole last night. (Wednesday).

The award is especially prized as it is voted for by travel organisers from sports and social clubs, retired associations, special interest societies and other travel trade groups.

It was received by Councillor Rod Cooper, Tourism, Leisure and Culture Portfolio holder for Bournemouth Borough Council and Sheena Leaman, Bournemouth Tourism Groups and Travel Trade Co-ordinator at a sparkling awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, attended by some of the biggest names in the travel industry. They were presented by Group Leisure magazine editor Rob Yandell alongside special guest comedian Bobby Davro.

Councillor Cooper said: “On behalf of everyone in Bournemouth I am delighted to accept this award and would like to thank all the readers of Group Leisure magazine for voting Bournemouth the Best UK Resort. We are looking forward to welcoming your groups to Bournemouth as they continue to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our unique seaside resort.”

Mark Smith, Director of Bournemouth Tourism commented: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to win this award for Bournemouth, not least because it is voted for by the very people who organise group trips to the resort.

“Although we are privileged to have superb natural assets in our beaches, gardens and countryside, what really makes a top tourist resort is the service provided by the people.  The voters of this award bring visitors back to Bournemouth year after year because they know their customers will have a great holiday experience.

“Very few resorts in the UK can offer such a choice of hotels, restaurants and attractions, but competition is increasingly tough which makes us far from complacent. The tourism industry in Bournemouth strives hard to keep standards high, so we’re delighted their hard work has been recognised with this coveted award.”