Coach trip exhibition to boost tourism

February 1, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Members of the Visit Southend team based at the pier attended a major coach operator exhibition in London to promote Southend-on-Sea as a coach and group location for tourists.

‘Excursions’ is a popular, well-attended exhibition where coach operators and group travel organisers hear about ideas for potential trips for the coming summer season. The council has regularly attended the event over the years and the visits have proved fruitful, with increasing numbers of operators choosing Southend as a destination.

Coach operators are able to find out what is on offer in Southend for visitors, including museums, the seafront, the pier and other tourist attractions as well as coach parking in the town. 

Cllr James Courtenay, cabinet member for growth, said: “Coach trips are a vital part of Southend’s visitor economy. By bringing around 50 people in one go, they provide an affordable way for visitors to reach our shores with much less impact on congestion and air pollution than individual car travel.

“Last year, we modified the former Gasworks site into a car park with dedicated coach parking and staff were on hand to welcome visitors and provide them with information about events and offers available in the town during their visit. On one day last year we accommodated nearly 50 coaches as part of a superb summer offer.

“We are very confident that we can have yet another bumper year for tourism and promoting our great town at exhibitions like this can only support that push.” 

For more information on coach parking in Southend, and to book a space, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/coach