Southport’s long-established
reputation as one of the UK’s most welcoming towns for coaches and groups has
once again been confirmed with a place on the shortlist at this year’s British
Coach Tourism Awards.
The national awards scheme,
launched in 2006, recognises the UK’s most coach-friendly destinations, visitor
attractions, hotels and tourism suppliers.
Southport will be battling it
out against the south coast resorts of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the
Somerset destinations of Burnham-on-Sea and Wells, and the Yorkshire town of
Otley.
Southport has won the award
twice in the last 11 years, in 2009 and 2017, and has been a finalist in 2010,
2011, 2014 and 2019. The town was also awarded ‘Coach-Friendly’ status by the
Confederation of Passenger Transport UK in 2004.
Cllr Marion Atkinson,
Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said: “Across the UK’s coach and group
tourism industry, Southport has long been recognised as being ‘coach friendly’.
The ‘Southport Welcome’ travel trade initiative introduced in 2018 continues to
highlight the way we look after coaches and groups. This includes our secure
coach parking at the Eco Centre on Esplanade, a special Coach Drivers’
Passport, and the development of ‘Southport Pick ‘n’ Mix’, a range of short
break itineraries to inspire and encourage tour operators to spend a few days
in the town and the surrounding area.”
Cllr Atkinson added: “In 2019 we celebrated 25 years of
our unique ‘Meet and Greet’ service that sees our Coach Welcome Hosts boarding
coaches from March to October to hand out maps and leaflets. Our entry for the
2020 award focused on the meet and greet and the role it plays as part of the ‘Southport
Welcome’.”
The winners of the British
Coach Tourism Awards will be announced on 25 March.
For more information about the
‘Southport Welcome’, go to www.visitsouthport.com
For more information about the
British Coach Tourism Awards, go to www.britishcoachawards.co.uk
For press information, contact
Steve Christian on 0151 934 2319.
