Burnham-On-Sea has reached the finals of the National Coach Tourism Awards 2014 – just weeks after receiving official ‘coach friendly status’.

The awards are given out each year to recognise excellence and innovation across the coach industry.

The finalists, who were announced on Monday by trade magazine Coach Monthly, are Burnham-On-Sea, Bournemouth, Isle of Man, Skipton, Southport and Tavistock.

Last year, Burnham was a finalist in the awards in the category of ‘coach friendliest town or city’.

This year, the category has changed to ‘Coach Friendliest Destination’ to cover regions, islands and countries.

Ian Jefferies, Business and Tourism Manager said: “The team and I are delighted to have been given this recognition for all the work carried out in Burnham-On Sea. With the category change this year we knew it would be a tough ask to compete with some of the larger areas that will have entered.”

“To be a finalist in this big category is fantastic and we still hope that we can pick up the trophy at the ceremony in Blackpool. The award ceremony is attended by many of the big decision makers in the coach industry and the exposure will only improve on the ever expanding coach visitors that we already receive.”

Les Barber, Burnham’s Coach Destination Manager, added: “Following our recent success in becoming a coach friendly town, to reach the final of such a prestigious awards ceremony with other major industry operators and suppliers is a great achievement for the town.”

“With our runner’s up position last year, we hope to go one step further this time. New figures from the last three months show an increase in coaches visiting our town has risen by over 125% compared to the same period in 2013 and the exposure from this award can only add to this, which in turn will bring even more revenue into our town and its businesses.”

Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Martin Cox, speaking at a council meeting on Monday evening, said: “It’s an amazing achievement following on from getting the flag for coach-friendly status. The coach team will be attending the awards ceremony representing our town and we will all be hoping they can go one step even further by bringing back the award, which would be unbelievable. My congratulations go to the coach team with yet another high-profile good news story that will encourage even more coaches into our town.”

 
Subscribe to our free news updates and join our other subscribers.
No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission. View our privacy page
Select all options that you require: