The British Coach Tourism Awards recognises excellence in coach tourism and the award for Coach Friendly Destination is given to the UK locations that best demonstrate a commitment to welcoming coaches, coach groups and coach drivers, as well as evidencing what they’ve done to enhance their services over the last year.

In addition to on-the-ground delivery, judges will be looking for examples of website development and partnership working.

The winner will be announced during a ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 21 March.

Bournemouth received the prestigious ‘Coach Friendly’ status from the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) in 2016 recognising the resort’s commitment to making sure that coach parties receive a warm welcome described by the panel as “second to none.”

David Squire, MD of Yellow Buses and Chair of the Transport Sector Group of the Bournemouth & Poole Tourism Board said, “It is fabulous for Bournemouth to be recognised and shortlisted for the BCT Awards, we’ve worked really hard to make the town coach friendly and we look forward to welcoming even more coach operators and their groups to our wonderful town in the future.”

Bournemouth’s official website has a dedicated group and coach section, and the tourism team produces an annual Group & Coach Travel Guide, providing help and support to group organisers, as well as itinerary suggestions.

Jon Weaver, head of tourism marketing and events at Bournemouth Tourism, said, “The group and coach markets are important to us here in Bournemouth. We were recently voted the UK’s best seaside resort and this is partly because we offer a huge variety of attractions, restaurants and accommodation for all ages and budgets.

“We work hard to make sure that coach groups feel welcome, both by offering this breadth of choice and by catering for their specific needs before and on arrival. It’s testament to our efforts that we’ve been shortlisted for this award and it’s reassuring to our visitors that there’s a body of experienced professionals working to recognise and reward industry leaders.”

Shortlisted alongside Bournemouth are Devon, Guildford, Beverley, Burnham-on-Sea, Otley and Wells.