GTOs and the travel trade meet and create in Milton Keynes

Active group organisers from social clubs, local communities, retired associations, special interest groups and more travelled to the city of Milton Keynes to plan their schedules and unearth special offers.

They were joined by coach tour operators, who came through the doors at the Marshall Arena on 3rd October 2024 to be a part of the key date in the group travel calendar.

Visitors were able to meet and speak to a specialist range of exhibitors from hotel groups, ticket operators, cruise lines, historic attractions, tour operators and many more, to help inspire their future visits.

In addition to over 100 exhibitors, the show also delighted those in attendance with an excellent line-up of guest speakers in the Seminar Theatre.

Flog It! presenter Paul Martin entertained guests as he talked about some of the most spectacular places he has filmed at, while GLT Show regular, Simon Calder was quizzed during an insightful Q&A session with Britain’s go-to travel expert.

The line-up was completed by wine critic and journalist Jilly Goolden who explained how groups can organise a vineyard trip and where they should be heading for a special experience. She even showed them how to taste and savour wine!

Over on the Group Leisure & Travel magazine stand, readers were able to meet the team behind Britain’s best-read group travel publication while scooping a free, delicious ice cream.

GLT publisher, Rob Yandell commented: “As usual the day has flown and I have been busy hosting the Seminar Theatre and meeting readers and advertisers on the GLT magazine stand. It’s so nice to see old friends and make new ones.” 

What did visitors and exhibitors think of the day?

Group travel organisers from across the UK came together to find new ideas, including Sandra McDonald, who organises visits for Tunbridge Wells U3A.

She said: “I’ve had a fantastic show. There has been lots of good speakers and some brilliant people that I’ve spoken to. I’ve picked up rather a lot of brochures because I’m looking for inspiration for next September and I’ve found lots of ideas.”

Roger Moon, Family & Friends Group, added: “We’ve been looking for ideas for day trips and we’ve got plenty today. We spoke to the likes of Didcot Railway and Brooklands Museum. We really like the location in Milton Keynes - it’s ideal here. It’s well organised and there’s a good selection of exhibitors.”

Claire Swift, operations manager at Lyndene Hotel, said: “We’ve had lots of interest and plenty of really good conversations with visitors. It’s good to network and it’s good for us as we’ve been able to showcase ourselves down south and not just up north. Everything has been really good and the GLT team has been really helpful. We’ll definitely be doing it again.”

“I’ve had a fantastic show. There has been lots of good speakers and some brilliant people that I’ve spoken to.”

Sandra McDonald, Tunbridge Wells U3A

Steph Harlow, who exhibited with Visit Kent, added: “I’ve spoken to a lot of exhibitors and quite a few of them have said that the group organisers here are of good quality and I really agree with that. There has been plenty of people to keep us occupied and quality enquiries from people who are genuinely interested in visiting Kent. We’ve talked about coming again next year as it’s been a great day.”

Top prizes won, too

As well as finding ideas, offers and contacts, exhibitors always serve up some top prizes to be won which this year included cruises, theatre tickets and fam trip opportunities. 

Ascot Racecourse shared details of its new reduced group rates at all racedays in 2025, and the chance to win four places in the exclusive Terrace Club at Royal Ascot. There were more raceday prizes too, with The Jockey Club running a raffle for group organisers to be in with the chance of winning two tickets to next year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The growth of cruising with groups continues and Ambassador Cruise Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line and CroisiEurope all offered great prizes, which ranged from free sailings to ship tours, and there was more overseas inspiration on the Dunwood stand which offered two passengers an award-winning break to the Athena Beach in Paphos, Cyrpus.

There was also a lot of laughs on Stand 205 as guests met Isambard Kingdom Brunel, or his double at least, as the team from Bristol’s SS Great Britain encouraged GTOs to visit.

Show director Graham Yandell said: “We offer group travel organisers and coach tour operators all the ingredients to build relationships and organise some truly outstanding trips, and the day includes a lot of fun, too. With over 100 exhibitors, there was a lot for visitors to see, and it’s been a busy but brilliant day. The GLT Show continues to deliver as the best dedicated event for group travel and coach tourism.

“We pay particular attention to the visitor and exhibitor experience. We want to be a friendly, inclusive event that people not only benefit from, but really enjoy. It starts with a tasty bacon butty breakfast that we provide for everyone, a free lunch, plenty of seating, free parking and a room full of fantastic exhibitors, topped off with another excellent programme in the Seminar Theatre.”