This award is designed to recognise and reward providers of services such as meals, sea crossings, event tickets and accommodation. We were looking for those suppliers who have made outstanding efforts to accommodate, attract, and welcome coaches, their drivers and their passengers in four sectors:

• Hotels and Catering
• Theatre and Venue Ticketing
• Tour Wholesaling
• Sea Transport/Water Crossing

This page covers the third of these, looking at tour wholesaling. In addition, the judges selected an overall winner, named Coach Passenger Service Provider of the Year.

Winner: Greatdays Travel Group

Cheshire-based Greatdays is one of the UK's leading tour wholesalers to the coaching industry.

Founded in 1985, the company is set to expand in 2013 and beyond with the acquisition of spacious new premises. Following the purchase of day trip operator “Welcome Days Out”, Greatdays are the only wholesalers offering a choice of gently-paced day trips.

A new look website is another 2013 development and the judges were impressed by the company’s forward-looking attitude in the current difficult trading conditions.

Runner Up: Albatross Travel Group

Also founded in 1985, Albatross Travel now employs around 100 people and in 2011/12 ran almost 3,000 group tours to the UK and the continent.

The company prides itself on the professional service provided by its experienced and trained staff and personally inspects all hotels used in its comprehensive programme. In 2012 a new website was launched, providing a strong online presence to support its traditional services.

The judges noted the comprehensive range of services and meticulous attention to detail by the owners and staff.

Highly Commended

Norman Allen Group Travel

Established in 1972, Norman Allen Group Travel celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, but the company is not resting on its laurels.

In recent years great efforts have been made to find ways of adding value to tour packages, making for an even better experience for customers.

Support for operators before and during tours is second to none and the judges felt this worthy of commendation.

Who could be nominated?

This category was open to:

• tour wholesaling companies offering products for coach operators

… and by whom

Coach operators were asked to nominate providers of services they have admired during the last 12 months.

They were asked to explain why they think the nominated service provider deserves this award – this will cover such matters as:

• the ease of booking
• the flexibility and quality of customer service during the enquiry and booking stages
• the welcome provided on the ground to
  • the coach
  • the passengers
  • the driver