RT @VisitGreenwich: Christmas starts today in Greenwich! Follow a parade of beautiful handmade lanterns led by Santa and his merry jazz ban… about 2 weeks ago

A busy successful couple of days so far at @WTM for the AGTO team about 1 month ago

Happy Halloween to all our members. It’s a Treat to work with you. #Halloween #Groups #DaysOut https://t.co/z4agEyyXAM about 1 month ago

agto members have a fantastic night at the gl&t awards

At a glittering award ceremony held at the Milton Keynes Stadium, AGTO sponsored the Excellence Award, this is awarded for an individual’s service to group travel organisers, this award was created to shine a spotlight on travel industry professionals who go the extra mile for their customers. The award was won by one of our members Ellie Fulcher of Fred. Olsen Cruises, pictured below with Wendy Hartley-Scarff & celebrity  presenter Martin Bayfield (ex England Rugby player, commentator and stunt double for Hagrid in the Harry Potter films as you can see VERY tall!)

Star of the evening was our very own Sue Shapland who was awarded Group Travel Organiser of the Year 2019, Recognising special people for the last 20 years, the award was set up to highlight great GTOs, finding out about where they go, what they do and more about the people they organise for. Congratulations Sue, well deserved !

 

AGTO  Associate members members were also honoured winning the following categories:

Best Museum or Gallery  -  V & A

Best Coach or Tour Operator UK Tours  -  Edwards Coaches

Best Event for Groups  -  RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show

Best Christmas Experience  -  Waddesdon Manor

Best Guided Tour  -  Houses of Parliament

Best Accommodation for Groups  -  Daishs Holidays

Best Group Dining Experience  -  Warner Leisure Hotels

Best Cruise Line  -  Fred Olsen Cruise Line

Best Group Tour Operator - Long Haul   -  just for groups!

Best UK Attraction  -  Coca-Cola London Eye

   

After a great evening AGTO exhibited at the GL&T event the following day.  We launched our new video which was a resounding success and we were very busy recruiting new members, both GTOs and Associates.

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Uk TOURISM STATISTICS 2019

2019 Tourism Statistics Publication

With it increasing looking like we will have an election before the end of the year, the Tourism Alliance have produced a new version of the Tourism Statistics publication which is a compendium of facts and figures that you can use in putting together manifestos, lobbying documents and submissions. The headline figures are that tourism generates revenue of £149.5bn per annum. This is up £18.5bn over the last two years – which is growth of 14.5% - making tourism one of the UK’s largest and most successful industries.  If you would like a full copy of the report, please contact: ceo1@agto.co.uk 

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 NEW DIRECTORS JOIN THE AGTO BOARD

AGTO strengthens Board with four new directors

AGTO, the Association of Group Travel Organisers, has appointed four new directors as it moves forward to further strengthen membership and travel trade engagement.

The new directors are Lynne Cooper, group travel trade manager with New Lanark Mills World Heritage Site, Joanna Freeman, marketing and social media executive with UK Parliament (the Houses of Parliament), Helen Goggin, sales manager at national Coach Holiday operator Alfa Travel, and Elizabeth Mounser, proprietor of Yorkshire-based E. M. Consultancy. 

Commenting on the changes, Wendy Hartley-Scarff, AGTO chief executive, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Lynne, Joanna, Helen and Elizabeth to the AGTO Board. They bring with them valuable experience that will play a key role as we continue to strengthen our membership and travel trade engagement. I would also like to pay my special thanks to Alex and Martin. Over the last few years they, along with our other directors, have been instrumental in the continued growth of AGTO. We are now in a strong position to further develop our position as the UK’s largest independent membership organisation supporting and representing the interests of individuals who organise travel for groups.”

 

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DIRECTORS step down from the BOARD 

GOODBYE  FROM THE BOARD TO MARTIN HAY, GO CRUSIE  AND ALEX JACOBS NORTHERN SECRETS, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

BOTH WILL REMAIN ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION SO WE WILL STILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM

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2020 AGTO SHOWCASE WEEKEND

21, 22 ,23 February 2020

ETTINGton CHASE 

STRATFORD UPON AVON

The 2020 ‘AGTO Showcase Weekend’ will take place over the weekend of 21 to 23 February at Ettington Chase, a 4-star hotel, event and conference centre close to Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

The 2019 event saw GTO and Associate (supplier) members follow ‘Robin Hood’ to Wollaton Hall in Nottingham

The Showcase Weekend, one of the major annual events in the AGTO calendar, offers a unique opportunity for GTOs from across the country to network with many of the country’s leading destinations, visitor attractions and travel trade suppliers. The weekend programme includes a travel trade exhibition, familiarisation trips and a gala dinner.

Commenting, Wendy Hartley-Scarff, AGTO chief executive, says: “The AGTO Showcase Weekend is a unique and prestigious industry event. It brings together our GTO and Associate members, offering unique networking opportunities in a relaxed and tranquil setting. We’ve chosen Stratford-upon-Avon not only to make it is easy as possible for members from across the UK to attend, but also because of the magnificent choice of visitor attractions in the area.

“Our 2019 Showcase Weekend, held at Eastwood Hall in Nottinghamshire, and including ‘fam’ trips to find out more about Robin Hood, D.H.Lawrence and Lord Byron was very well received by members. We’re building on that success to offer a first-class weekend in Stratford that will appeal to our members across the country.”

The Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) is the UK’s largest independent membership organisation supporting and representing the interests of individuals who organise travel for groups. Associate membership is available to destinations, visitor attractions and any travel trade supplier that provide services for group travel.

Established in 1990, the Association now has more than 400 group travel organiser members and 200 Associate members. Membership services include bespoke organiser liability insurance, legal updates, an advice line, VIP registration to trade shows, free membership of the National Trust and English Heritage, free access to National Trust for Scotland properties, and a range of other discounts and offers.

 

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LEGAL HELPLINE

ALL AGTO MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE

 

30 minutes free telephone advice at a time, on areas such as:

-Litigation (i.e. customer or supplier disputes);

-Commercial (i.e. advice regarding Terms and Conditions, Agreements, GDPR etc.);

-Regulatory (i.e. advice concerning the Package Travel Regulations, ATOL Regulations etc.);

-Intellectual Property;

-Corporate Legal Advice;

-Health and Safety.

CALL 0113 258 0033

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