Member Article

#NorthEastEngland No Longer a Northern Secret to GTOs

Over 100 group travel organisers will be welcomed to North East England this weekend as the Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA) hosts its annual Showcase Weekend in Newcastle between 18th and 20th September at Newcastle Marriott Hotel Gosforth Park.

GTOA members can look forward to a ship visit on Boudicca at Port of Tyne, networking sessions and familiarisation trips at its Showcase Weekend which brings together group organisers and associate members from all over the UK to participate in its programme of business and social sessions.

“The value of the groups market is £180 million per year in the UK and we want North East England economy to benefit more from this,” said Alex Jacobs, managing director of local tour operator Northern Secrets and also a Director of GTOA. “This is the first time that GTOA have showcased North East England to their members in this way. There is so much for them to see and do while they are here that we are hoping many of them will be inspired to bring their groups back for a full trip.”

Highlights will include a choice of five specially tailored familiarisation trips to local attractions including Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Cathedral, Alnwick Gardens, Lindisfarne and Beamish Museum as well as a super programme including study tours, networking, entertainment and a cruise ship visit.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “North East England is a place packed with stand-out experiences for the group travel market, so what better place to hold the Group Travel Organisers Association’s Showcase Weekend. I’m delighted to be speaking at the event and I’m sure that delegates will find our friendly welcome and fantastic experiences to exceed expectations. The event programme doesn’t fail to inspire and I’m sure they’ll leave the region with plenty of programme ideas to showcase to their own clients.”

Other elements of the Showcase programme include GTOA Branch AGMs, networking sessions, dinner with Northumbrian entertainment and a ship visit on board Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca

GTOA chief executive, Mike Bugsgang, said: “The Showcase provides a great opportunity for our members to get together to plan their itineraries for 2016 and beyond, as well as experiencing a part of Britain that is generally underutilised by groups.”

The GTOA is an independent organisation representing the interests of those who organise tours and trips for groups as well as those who provide services for group travel. The Association has over 200 supplier members that provide GTOs with information on everything from tours, hotels and destinations to museums, galleries, gardens and attractions.

Established in 2008 Northern Secrets is a small tour company based in Newcastle that specialises in trips and tours to Northern Britain. Bringing over 7000 people to the region every year it provides quality bespoke group holidays. It aims to not only bring people to the region but to let them really experience the north east.

For more information: www.northernsecrets.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Deb Sharratt Communications .