York - Officially The Most Group-Friendly Destination in the UK
15/06/2009
York has regained its title as the ‘Most Group-Friendly UK Destination' at a prestigious awards ceremony on Friday night, held at The Guoman Tower Hotel in London and hosted by top travel journalist Simon Calder. Also won in 2006, this award is the latest in a string of tourism awards given to the city - York scooped the much coveted Best UK City title in the Telegraph Travel Awards in November 2008.The Group Travel Awards are organised by Landor Travel Publications and voted for by the 10,000 readers of Group Travel Organiser Magazine, a publication aimed at group travel specialists throughout the UK. The glittering awards ceremony is an annual celebration of the very best suppliers to the group travel industry, and is regularly attended by over 400 key members of the travel trade.
York was one of seven finalists, beating off competition from Blackpool, Bristol, Eastbourne, Hull, Southport and Torquay.
Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York, said, ‘We're absolutely delighted to regain the title - Most Group Friendly UK City. Our dedicated Groups Desk prides itself on the service it provides for groups coming into York and with top attractions such as the National Railway Museum, JORVIK, York Minster and York Castle Museum, as well as a fantastic variety of group friendly accommodation we aim to keep York the number one choice for a group visit.'
Groups visiting York generate thousands of pounds worth of income for the city and they come in all shapes and sizes from over sixties groups, to sports clubs and societies, to reunion groups, touring choirs and musicians and social get togethers.
The majority of group enquiries for York come from the North East of England (39%) with 21% of enquiries coming from the North West. The average group size is 21 people, with the largest group visit so far at 110 (a group of Italian students who stayed in York for three days). Groups of overseas students are also on the up, with enquiries coming in from the Netherlands, Norway, Italy and Australia.
York's dedicated Groups Desk offers a free accommodation booking service, itinerary planning advice and a one-stop information point - as well as a website full of special offers and group travel news at www.groupvisityork.com Email groups@visityork.org or telephone 01904 550080 for more information. ENDS
For more information, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org
Notes to Editors:
York - Awards to date:
« Most Group Friendly UK Destination - Group Travel Organiser Magazine Awards - 2009
« Best UK City - Telegraph Travel Awards - 2008
« Finalist - Most Group Friendly UK Destination - Group Travel Organiser Awards - 2008
« Best UK City - Telegraph Travel Awards - 2007
« European Tourism City of the Year - European Cities Marketing - 2007/2008
« Coach Tourism City of the Year - Coach Tourism Awards - 2008
« Most Group Friendly UK Destination - Group Travel Organiser Magazine Awards - 2006
« Best British City - Period Living and Traditional Homes Best of British Awards - 2004
« Best UK City - Telegraph Awards - 2004
« Visitor City of the Year - Good Britain Guide - 2004
« Britain's Favourite English City - Guardian Observer Travel Awards - 2001
« Best UK City - Group Leisure Magazine Industry Awards - 2000