New booking service for group trips to West Yorkshire

Group tour operators are set to benefit from a new ‘one-stop shop’ booking service and dedicated brochure launched today by the West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership to simplify the organisation of coach trips for group travellers to the region.

The Leeds & Pennine Yorkshire Group Travel service will provide travel organisers with a suite of support services ranging from creating itineraries; booking and negotiating rates for accommodation, meals and attractions and offering support at each stage of the trip.

A brochure has also been launched to help Group Travel Organisers; focusing on flagship cities including Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, as well as the rural market towns of Haworth, Holmfirth and Hebden Bridge. Bespoke itineraries blending the region’s wealth of attractions, shopping destinations and areas of natural beauty will be provided to cover all needs.

In addition, the service, which will be operated by a dedicated support team, can tailor needs around various specific themes, including shopping, culture, TV themes and sport, ensuring every taste is catered for regardless of budget.

Liz Tattersley, Manager at West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership, said: “This new service and brochure we are offering to group travel organisers is a great platform upon which to highlight the diversity and accessibility of the Leeds and Pennine Yorkshire region.

“Our cities make a great base for group travellers to start their trips, be it the fantastic shopping in Leeds, or a visit to the National Media Museum in Bradford.

“Beyond the vibrant city centres we have amazing natural attractions and rural treats, from the waterfalls at Hardcastle Crags to Standedge Tunnel – the deepest and longest canal tunnel in the country.

“The region has a proud heritage, which is truly unique to the area; visitors can see pre-historic rock carvings at Ilkley Moor where the first settlers to Pennine Yorkshire, as well as stately homes such as Harewood House. In addition, it boasts the village of Saltaire, which is credited as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Itineraries are not set in stone and our dedicated team can create personalised programmes to suit the visiting group. This can range from film and TV tours around the sets of ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ to visits to the bustling market towns such as Hebden Bridge, voted one of Europe’s ‘funkiest towns’.

“Using our in depth local knowledge, our team can help make any sized group visit really special and we are confident it will promote the region as a vibrant, contemporary and exciting group destination.”

For further information on the Leeds & Pennine Yorkshire Group Travel service and to request a brochure email lpy@visitleeds.co.uk.