2020 Travel Partners

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Ireland is an all-time favourite destination with plenty of opportunity to put together fantastic resort and touring itineraries. When thinking about what is so great about the Emerald Isle there are so many things to choose from – countryside, coastline, history, culture, literature, music & dance, Guinness, Irish whiskey and sports – however the one thing that overwhelmingly wins is the people. From bustling capital Dublin to the smallest village you are always guaranteed a warm welcome.

Wishing all my industry friends and colleagues a happy and prosperous 2023.

Merry Christmas from 2020 Travel Partners.

Let Us Remember Them.

One of my proudest moments at Shearings Holidays was my Grandad’s picture featuring on the back of a coach promoting their battlefields programme which I had worked on as Product Manager. The other black and white photos are genuine family photos from World War I. It was a privilege to follow in their footsteps recently on a visit to the battlefields recently with Visit Flanders.

Fantastic couple of days at a bustling Workd Travel Market . Great to catch up with old friends, business contacts and colleagues. Lots of news to catch up on and share.

Happy Halloween. Children and parents, dressed up in fabulous costumes, will no doubt enjoy trick-or-treating this evening and calling at neighbours houses adorned with pumpkins, skeletons, spiders webs and even more imaginative decorations.

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble..… Halloween originates from a Celtic festival and the occasion has many links to witchcraft.

This year 2020 Travel Partners has put together several witch-themed day trips & tours including Pendle Witch Country and Essex Witch Trail, concentrated around the Colchester area. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides accompany groups and recount fascinating tales along the way of witches, ghosts and legends.

2020 Travel Partners can provide a selection of ‘spooky’ day trips, weekend and short breaks for coach operators throughout the UK. Please contact [email protected] at 2020 Travel Partners for more details.

Last week 2020 Travel Partners was in France for the Showcase Paris Region 2022. Many thanks to Magali Kennedy at SNCF for providing Eurostar travel as well as Paris Region Tourism Board and Eugenio Raez for such a well-organised and enjoyable event with fabulous hotel accommodation. It was great to catch up with industry colleagues and friends as well as meeting new connections at the workshop.

Highlights of the trip included dinner at the new Madame Brasserie restaurant at the Eiffel Tower and excursions to Provins, Château de Fontainebleau, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Moret-sur-Loing and Domaine des Macarons de Réau.

Watch this space for a selection of bespoke tours to this wonderful region. If interested, contact me for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected].

Last week 2020 Travel Partners was in Bruges for the 2022 Flanders Travel Forum. Many thanks to Visit Flanders for arranging such a well-organised and enjoyable event. It was great to catch up with so many industry colleagues and friends as well as meeting new connections. Along with a guided walking tour of Ghent, there were excursions in and around Bruges and a chance to visit the nearby Flanders Battlefields. An interesting and relaxing highlight was attending a lie down piano concert.

Watch this space for a selection of bespoke tours to Flanders including food and drink breaks and Battlefields tours. If interested, contact me for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected].

Visit Flanders
Flanders Investment & Trade
Visit Bruges

Last week 2020 Travel Partners celebrated two years in business. And what better places to have been in than on fam trips to Belgium and France.

This year has certainly brought a number of challenges - professional and personal – although this has not dulled any ambition to succeed. There have equally been many positives during the year but securing a first river cruise group recently has been a definite highlight. Huge thanks and gratitude go to my wonderful coach operator clients, supportive industry supplier partners, lovely family and friends, especially Andrew Sowry, all without whom 2020 Travel Partners would simply not exist.

A glass, or two, has certainly been raised to look forward to what 2023 has in store and working on some exciting projects in the coming months.

*** Torquay 2023 Coach Group Availability ***
*** From £39 per person per night ***
*** Headland Hotel, Torquay ***
*** Jan / Feb / Apr / May / Sep/ Oct 3 nights DBB ***
*** Jan / Feb / Oct 4 nights DBB ***
*** Nov / Dec 3 nights Turkey & Tinsel Packages DBB ***

Four and five-day tours available to the beautiful English Riviera. Staying in Torquay with time to explore the resort including the harbour and public gardens famous for its subtropical plants and palm trees. Included excursions along the coast to Exmouth with a cruise along the River Exe (from £8.50 pp); a scenic drive through the Dartmoor National Park and visit to Plymouth.

Based at the elegant Headland Hotel, set on a stunning headland with magnificent views across Torbay. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, lift to most floors, restaurant, lounge bar indoor pool, spa, fitness centre and gardens. Rooms are equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Coach parking is available

Get in touch with Patricia Parry at 2020 Travel Partners to secure your group booking. Buying costs are kept to a minimum by contracting on your behalf and passing on negotiated rates directly to you with no mark-up. In return an arrangement fee is charged.

Happy Swiss National Day to all my friends and industry colleagues. What makes this wonderful country such a great holiday destination?

Switzerland’s faultless transport system of trains, buses and cable cars complements coach holiday tours perfectly and allows access to traffic-free towns such as Wengen and Zermatt. The Glacier Express, with its iconic viaducts, is an ever-popular journey through landscapes unreachable by coach. The Swiss Alpine Mountain scenery allows for an all- year-round destination with winter sports galore, a winter wonderland for the less active, tranquil lakes and spa resorts for total relaxation, and summer. Let’s not forget the bustling cities of Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Lausanne which reflect the country’s differing characteristics contributed to by France, Germany & Italy.

Choose from city breaks, touring itineraries, rail themed tours, river cruises, mountain resorts, spa resorts, gourmet tours and activity breaks. Contact 2020 Travel Partners for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected]

Switzerland.
Switzerland Travel Centre

Happy Yorkshire Day to all my friends and industry colleagues! Whilst not being Yorkshire born and bred, my maiden name, Hardcastle, has family roots linked to Yorkshire and gives me a close affinity with this beautiful region. There is a seemingly endless list of reasons to programme a Yorkshire coach tour - stunning coastline dotted with popular seaside resorts, breath-taking scenery of the Moors and Dales; classic stately homes and formal gardens; and shop ‘til you drop at Yorkshire’s bustling cities such as Leeds and York with their atmospheric markets during the festive season.

Yorkshire is the setting for all-time favourite TV programmes such as Emmerdale, Last of the Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Heartbeat; as well as a new series of All Creatures Great & Small coming to your screen soon. Going further back in time literary greats such as the Bronte Sisters and Bram Stoker were inspired by the surrounding Yorkshire landscapes to write their masterpieces. Bradford’s wealth of cultural diversity has rightfully earned it the title of the UK’s 2025 city of culture.

Yorkshire is full of gourmet delights. No roast dinner is complete without Yorkshire pudding and finished off with a tasty Rhubarb crumble. Who can resist an afternoon tea at Betty’s famous tearooms in Harrogate? Which is your favourite Licorice Allsort? There would be no adventures for Wallace & Gromit without Wensleydale cheese and no KitKat breaks without Rowntree’s legacy.

Contact 2020 Travel Partners for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected]

Discover Belgium – a small country with a big heart. In addition to the cosmopolitan capital city of Brussels, this much underrated country boasts an attractive coastline, charming Flemish towns and cities – each with a unique character; moving landmarks associated with World War I, floral attractions and proximity to the springtime Dutch bulbfields, atmospheric Christmas markets and not forgetting the country’s infamous beer and chocolate. The popular seaside resort of Ostend is an ideal coaching base from which to discover all Belgium has to offer your customers.

Get in touch with 2020 Travel Partners to secure your group booking at the Royal Astrid Hotel, Ostend (3*) and ask for details of ferry/Eurotunnel rates, including North Sea routes.

Happy National Day to all my industry connections and friends in Belgium. During much of my time at Shearings Holidays I was the Belgian Product Manager and loved putting together tours to this small country with a big heart. As 2020 Travel Partners grows I am now putting together a number of bespoke tours for my coach operator clients including Ostend & 3 Cities, Ostend & Bulbfields, Medieval Bruges, Antwerp & Hidden Gems of Belgium, Scenic Ardennes, Brussels & A Taste of Belgium, Battlefields of World War I, Belgian Christmas Markets. Contact me for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected]

Toerisme Vlaanderen

Today let’s celebrate France’s National Day and reflect on what makes it such a perfect holiday destination. In addition to arguably the most romantic city, Paris; there are so many beautiful and varied regions from Normandy, Brittany, Alsace, the Loire, Dordogne, Auvergne, Aquitaine, Cote d’Azur and Provence all with diverse character and landscapes. Choose from city breaks, battlefields tours, river cruises, beach resorts, mountain resorts, gourmet tours and activity breaks. Contact 2020 Travel Partners for more information on 07979 818763 or [email protected]

Under pressure to meet tight brochure deadlines? 2020 Travel Partners can assist you and offers a cost-effective solution

2020 Travel Partners realises that, now more than ever before, in this ever-changing business environment, there are times when you need extra resources without having to commit to taking on a full time/permanent team member or incur costly consultancy fees. When it comes to personal and practical hands-on assistance 2020 Travel Partners is your perfect choice as can slot into your team without the need for time consuming training or induction.

Attention to detail is a key strength having been involved in the planning and completion of UK, European and River Cruise brochures with over 20 years working in the tourism industry, mainly with Shearings Holidays. Copywriting skills will accurately portray your holiday programmes for brochures, mailers and website. Excellent proofreading skills will ensure that unnecessary errors are avoided. Destination, accommodation and atmospheric images can also be selected.

Let 2020 Travel Partners become a flexible extension of your own team, whether an end-to-end service or shorter-term project of any size and duration.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch with Tricia Parry on 07979 818763 or [email protected]

Coach Day Trips are not just for summer. Let 2020 Travel Partners assist you and services include programme planning, venue booking with copy and images provided. We can even facilitate brochure/leaflet printing. Day excursions are a great way to boost profit and utilise spare coach capacity, particularly during the low season. Wherever you are based in the UK there is a fantastic choice of seasonal destinations and venues - as well as special events - within a couple of hours drive. It is an excellent chance to diversify your customer base with midweek, weekend, mystery and school holiday departures. There is something on offer during the festive season and winter period for everyone from boat cruises, steam train journeys, beautifully decorated stately homes, seasonal gardens, illuminated trails, Christmas markets, shopping and more…

Day trips provide your customers with excellent value-for-money and repeat customers are highly likely. Afternoon teas and lunches can be added to enhance the experience. They are also a great starting point for coach operators looking to expand into tours providing a ready-made customer database.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch with Tricia Parry at [email protected].

***Late 2022 & 2023 Allocations***

Do you need to find any 2022 mystery tours, fill gaps in your late 2022 programme or finalising your 2023 tours? 2020 Travel Partners can assist you with UK and European short breaks and longer duration tours as well as river cruising. Choose from winter savers, relaxing spring & autumn getaways to summer seaside tours, fantastic value Turkey & Tinsel packages as well as festive breaks.

2020 Travel Partners contract directly on your behalf with no hotel/venue mark-up and as a new client a reduced service fee per tour applies with savings to be made on multiple tours.

Contact [email protected] or call 07979 818763 to discuss your tour requirements.

Join the steadily growing number of coach operators working with 2020 Travel Partners for their day trip, private groups, mystery breaks, UK and European holiday programmes.

20 reasons to work with 2020 Travel Partners:

· Freelance product management services

· Totally bespoke service tailored to your company needs

· 20 years coach industry experience

· UK product knowledge

· European product knowledge

· River & Ocean product knowledge

· Personal friendly service

· Prompt reply to emails

· Quick turnaround for private group quotes

· Net hotel rates passed on direct with no costly mark ups

· Net venue rates passed on direct with no costly mark ups

· Value for money service fee charged

· Better pro rata service fee when higher number of tours taken

· Can cater for any size project - one tour to programme

· Not just a contractor and can assist with brochure production

· Venue / attraction bookings made on your behalf

· Brochure / web copy provided

· Imagery provided as standard

· All deadlines prompted – cancellation / rooming list / payment

· Out of hours operational assistance provided

If you are interested and would like more information about 2020 Travel Partners please get in touch with Tricia Parry at [email protected].

Struggling for time to put together a private group looking for something a bit different? Need to turn a private group quote around quickly?
2020 Travel Partners can assist you with bespoke UK and European itineraries that are not featured in your regular brochure offering. Whether it be a garden themed tour, battlefields tour, cultural tour, entertainment break, activity break or just a relaxing resort tour we can suggest the perfect itinerary, whatever the departure date or duration.
Private groups tend to require a larger number of single rooms which can be organised and any special requests can be arranged. Additional services such as local guides, meet and greet, private charters, lunches and afternoon teas can be provided to enhance the group experience.
If you are interested and would like more information please get in touch with Tricia Parry at [email protected].

Are you thinking of setting up a European tour programme or need someone to help finalise your late 2022 and 2023 European product offering? Join the steadily growing number of coach operators working with 2020 Travel Partners and services include accommodation contracting, venue booking with tour copy and all images provided. Brochure/leaflet printing can also be arranged for you.

Diversify your client base with all-year round midweek breaks, weekend breaks, resort-based tours, touring itineraries, festive breaks and winter wonderland tours. 2020 Travel Partners offers a range of themed product breaks including the Dutch Bulbfields, rail and battlefields tours; as well as cultural, coastal, countryside, garden, transport and food/drink tours throughout Europe. Ever-popular destinations are Paris, Bruges, Ostend, the Italian Lakes, Austrian Tyrol and Spanish coastal resorts. All-inclusive tours provide excellent value-for-money for your customers and mini-cruises by North Sea ferry crossing are a fantastic short-break addition for Northern based coach operators. Last but not least, river cruising is a firm favourite for many customers.

Give our services a try - whether it be for a few select products you don’t already feature in your current programme to putting together a whole bespoke European holiday programme from start to finish.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch with Tricia Parry on 07979 818763 or [email protected].

Are you thinking of setting up a UK tour programme or need someone to help finalise your late 2022 and 2023 UK product offering? Make the staycation more than a passing trend and remain one of your customer’s permanent holiday choices. Join the steadily growing number of coach operators working with 2020 Travel Partners and services include accommodation contracting, venue booking with tour copy and all images provided. Brochure/leaflet printing can also be arranged for you.

Diversify your client base with all-year round midweek breaks, weekend breaks, resort-based tours, theme breaks, touring itineraries and family activity breaks. 2020 Travel Partners offers a range of themed product breaks including heritage, culture, coastline, countryside, gardens, transport and food/drink throughout the UK. Mystery tours are popular and provide excellent value-for-money for your customers.

Give our services a try - whether it be for a few select products you don’t already feature in your current programme to putting together a whole UK holiday programme from start to finish.

If you are interested and would like more information, please get in touch with Tricia Parry at [email protected].

Are you thinking of setting up a UK coach day trip programme or need someone to finalise your late 2022 and 2023 day excursions? Let 2020 Travel Partners assist you and services include venue booking with copy and images provided. We can even facilitate brochure/leaflet printing.
Day excursions are a great way to boost profit, utilise spare coach capacity and can be programmed all year round. There will always a fantastic choice of destinations – coast, countryside or city – as well as special events within a two to three hour-drive away. It is a chance to diversify your customer base with midweek, weekend, mystery and school holiday departures. There is something on offer for everyone from boat cruises, steam train journeys, garden shows, stately homes, Christmas markets and more…
Day trips provide your customers with excellent value-for-money and repeat customers are highly likely. Afternoon teas and lunches can be added to enhance the experience. They are also a great starting point for coach operators looking to expand into tours providing a ready-made customer database.
If you are interested and would like more information please get in touch with Tricia Parry on 07979 818763 or [email protected].

Having worked in coach tourism for the best part of 20 years, I am fascinated by the history of the industry. Whilst having a tidy up I came across a memento from my days of working at Shearings Holidays - a book written by Eric Ogden in 1990 recalling the company’s heritage. Since setting up 2020 Travel Partners it always interests me to hear about the family background of my coach operator clients. Whilst many can trace their roots back through several generations to the 1940’s & 50’s, there are some operators that can go even further back in time to the 1920’s. Undoubtedly the industry has come a long way from the humble beginnings of the open top charabanc to the sophisticated design (and price tag) of modern-day coaches.
Which UK coach operator can claim the longest standing heritage?