AGTO APPOINTS NEW CEO

The Association of Group Travel Organisers  has announced the appointment of Wendy Hartley-Scarff as its new Chief Executive. She succeeds Mike Bugsgang who stood down from the role after a three-year term of office at the end of December 2017. For further details click here

AGTO AGM ANNOUNCED

Save the date. For the second year in succession, the AGTO AGM will take place at the Excursions Show at Alexandra Place on Saturday, 27th January 2018. Getting to the show is easy, Excursions™ is once again running its programme of free coach transfers for visitors with 17 coaches covering around 70 pick-up points. To pre-register for show entry and book seats on a free transfer coach visit www.excursionsshow.com or call 023 8062 5516 for details. Timing, Agenda etc for the AGM will be issued to members nearer the date.

'wicked' warrington  WEEKEND 

Over 100 delegates comprising GTOs and Associate members from around the UK gathered at the Q Park Royal Hotel Warrington for a series of business sessions, networking and familiarisation trips aimed at boosting group tourism to the region.

AGTO Associate members reported brisk enquiries from GTOs during the Showcase following business sessions about the success story of tourism marketing in Cheshire and ‘Experiential Travel.’

As part of the weekend Marketing Cheshire arranged fam. trips to the surrounding area, themed ‘Stately Homes and Gardens’, ‘Waterways and Heritage’ and ‘City Sightseeing’.

Proceedings ended on a high note at dinner with entertainment from West End theatre star Ashleigh Gray singing numbers from ‘Wicked’ in which she starred as Elphaba. Ashleigh’s appearance was courtesy of Showcase headline sponsor, made tourism marketing.

To view a selection of photographs from the Showcase Weekend click here

NEW BOARD DIRECTOR

Pam Wharton of Ellen Smith Tours has been appointed a Director of AGTO. She has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years in various roles. The last 15 years have been focused on putting together itineraries and developing products for groups, worldwide – both tailor-made and scheduled tours.  Her current role is Groups & Day Excursions Manager for Ellen Smith Tours, an independent coach tour operator in North West England. 

Pam has always been a great supporter of AGTO in the North of England. Her considerable knowledge of group operations will further strengthen the Association’s expansion plans in 2018 and beyond.The move follows the resignation of Tina Price of Leisuretime who is standing down owing to a change of her role within the company.

EVENTS DIARY AND TRADE SHOWS 2017/18

AGTO attends all the major trade shows during the year. It also exhibits at many of the regional trade events.  For the latest Events Diary listing, click here

RECENT ARTICLES APPEARING IN THE PRESS

AGTO Chief Executive To Step Down article in Group Leisure & Travel click here

See AGTO's update in the latest edition of Group Travel World by clicking here

MEMBERS NEWS

British Tourism & Travel Show

Firmly placed, as the largest event for travel ideas from across the British Isles and beyond, the Show will take place on the 21-22 March at the NEC, Birmingham. Attendance is FREE if you register in advance and for 2018 there are even more reasons for GTOs to attend. The 22nd March has been designated National GTO Day at BTTS, a celebration of all the great work that GTOs do. The BTTS GTO Special Rcognition of the Year Award, in partnership with AGTO, will be announced at the AGTO session on 22 March.

To register visit: www.tourismshow.co.uk or call Ruth on 01273 645147.

AGTO SCOTLAND LAUNCH

Great turnout for AGTO Scotland's first event organised by David Urquhart Travel and kindly hosted onboard Fred.Olsen Cruises Lines Braemar in the Port of Leith.

huge gto membership increase

A combination of AGTO's Ambassador Recruitment Scheme and attendance at trade shows has led to over 80 organisers joining the Association in the past three months. 

Another new GTO member joins at the Great for Groups Show