Otley nominated for the best tourism award

OTLEY is launching a campaign to attract visitors for this year while waiting to see if it has won a prestigious national tourism award.

The city is a finalist in the Best Coach Friendly Destination category at the British Coach Tourism Awards on 22 September.

Designed to coincide with the British Tourism & Travel Show, the awards have been postponed three times due to Covid and reflect excellence in 2019-2020.

Otley will face stiff competition from other finalists Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, Burnham-on-Sea, Southport and Wells in Somerset.

The Town Coordinating Committee, which includes members of Otley City Council, the Otley Business Improvement District, the Town of Otley Partnership, the Otley Chamber of Commerce and Councilors Leeds Municipal Council representing the city, has worked hard in the coach tourism sector through the city coordinating committee.

In the lead-up to entry, initiatives included better signage for coaches, coach drivers and passengers, drop-off / pick-up docks, parking for long-term coaches and the possibility of coaches being greeted by Otley Bellman, Terry Ford. Along with other tourism initiatives such as the redesign of the Visit Otley website and the production of promotional literature, including walking trails in town, in 2019 Otley became one of the few UK towns to receive the prestigious status. Coach Friendly of the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

Otley City Council Trade and Tourism Committee Chairman Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley is a fantastic destination for coach tourists. Our riverside location halfway between Leeds and the Dales, our history and our role in the market town of Hotten in the popular soap opera Emmerdale see us included in many itineraries.

“We are eager to finally see if our hard work in the coach tourism sector has been recognized at the ceremony, but to be part of such a strong group of finalists is enough recognition of the importance of the work we have. accomplished in this sector. ”

Otley BID President Tom Hatley said: “Coach tourism is a major driver of visitors to Otley and many of our businesses benefit greatly from evenings by coach that visit the city, which is why we’ve been so proactive in promoting coach tours. With the Covid crisis now appearing to be easing, we look forward to welcoming more coaches again to sample all we have to offer. ”

Event Director Helen Conway added: “After 18 long months of widespread disruption across the industry, we are delighted to be able to host the British Coach Tourism Award celebrations as we collectively welcome the return of coach tourism . Finally, we will find out which of the deserving finalists will be crowned winners for their exemplary achievements before the pandemic. ”