English Tourism Week: Coach travel helping drive England’s visitor economy

English Tourism Week: Coach travel helping drive England’s visitor economy

England’s tourism industry depends on more than iconic destinations and historic landmarks. It also relies on the transport networks and businesses that make those places accessible to visitors from across the UK and beyond.

Coach operators play a vital role in that ecosystem. Every day they bring groups, holidaymakers and visitors into towns, cities, seaside resorts and rural communities across the country - supporting hotels, restaurants, attractions and local economies.

For many travellers, coach travel offers a convenient and sociable way to explore England. It allows people to visit multiple destinations comfortably while removing the challenges of driving, parking or navigating unfamiliar transport networks.

During English Tourism Week (15–22 March), the theme “Local Stories, National Growth” highlights the businesses and people whose work helps tourism thrive. Across the country, RHA coach members and the wider coach community play an important part in supporting the visitor economy and connecting people with the places that make England special.

From large escorted tour operators to independent regional businesses, the coach sector brings visitors into destinations that might otherwise see fewer tourists - helping spread the economic benefits of tourism across the country.

The work of coach operators also reflects several of the RHA’s policy priorities. A thriving coach tourism sector depends on strong infrastructure, including well-maintained roads and suitable parking facilities. It relies on a skilled workforce, from professional drivers to tourism specialists. Operators also need fair costs and regulation that allow businesses to grow, as well as efficient cross-border and international travel arrangements that support tourism flows.

At the same time, many operators are investing in modern fleets and more efficient vehicles as the sector continues its journey towards net zero, helping make group travel one of the most sustainable ways to move large numbers of passengers.

Across the RHA membership there are many excellent examples of businesses supporting tourism in their local communities. We were genuinely spoiled for choice when selecting a few to highlight during English Tourism Week.

Operators such as Leger Holidays, based in South Yorkshire, have built a strong reputation for escorted coach tours that bring travellers to destinations across England and Europe.

Chris Plummer from Leger Holidays said:

"Coach holidays give thousands of people the opportunity to explore destinations across the UK in a comfortable and sociable way. Tourism supports jobs and businesses right across the country, so it’s important the sector continues to be recognised and supported – particularly when tour operators are navigating rising costs and a challenging economic environment."

In the South West, Bakers Dolphin, a long-established family business based in Weston-super-Mare, continues a tradition of coach travel that stretches back more than a century.

Amanda Harrington from Bakers Dolphin said:

"For generations, coach travel has helped bring visitors to seaside towns, cities and attractions across the country. Tourism is a major contributor to the UK economy, but the sector is also sensitive to changes in costs and policy. Supporting coach travel means supporting the destinations, businesses and communities that rely on visitors."

Across the country, other operators are also helping connect visitors with England’s destinations. Businesses such as Stanley Travel, the family-run operator based in Stanley in the North East and led by the Scott family, has been serving customers for more than six decades.

Andrew Scott from Stanley Travel said:

"Tourism plays a vital role in supporting towns, attractions and local economies across the UK, and coach travel helps make many of those visits possible. Businesses like ours bring people into destinations every day. When the sector is supported, communities benefit – but when costs rise or travel becomes more difficult, tourism is often one of the first areas to feel the impact."

Meanwhile Jason Edwards Travel, founded by coach industry leader and RHA director Jason Edwards, reflects the depth of expertise within the sector and the continued investment in high-quality coach travel serving both domestic and inbound tourism.

Jason Edwards from Jason Edwards Travel said:

"Coach travel is one of the most efficient and accessible ways for groups to explore the UK, helping bring visitors into destinations and events across the country. Tourism supports thousands of jobs and businesses, but when costs rise or the sector faces unnecessary barriers, tourism and travel are often among the first to feel the impact. That’s why it’s so important the coach sector continues to be recognised and supported."

These are just a few examples of the many operators across the RHA community helping connect visitors with England’s destinations every day.

During English Tourism Week we’ll be shining the spotlight on several of these businesses on our social media channels - and we’d love to hear from other RHA coach members who would like to share their own tourism stories in the future.