Confederation of Passenger Transport (NI)
Confederation of Passenger Transport (NI)
Basics
Confederation of Passenger Transport (NI)
Note of Meeting in NITB Offices 8 February 2007
Present:
• Karen Magill, Confederation of Passenger Transport (NI)
• Bob Bleakley, Environment & Heritage Service, DOE
• Chris Bailey, NI Museums Council
• Dermot McBride, NI Bed 7 Breakfasts
• Frank Holden, Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre
• Ian Bailie, Stena Line
• Peter Thompson, Coleraine Borough Council
• Roy Gordon, Roads Service, DRD
• Carol Marsden, Translink
• Claire Magill, Hostelling International
• Gillian Little, National Trust
• Mary Jo McCanny, BVCB
• Pier Morrow, Belfast City Council
• Richard Robinson, NITB
• Ruth Burns, NITB
• Jonny Smith, NITB
• Barbara McConnell, NITB
• Stephen Bill, NITB
Introduction
Richard welcomed everyone to the meeting. Karen gave a presentation on the work of CPT (NI) and the issues surrounding coach tourism. (Minutes will be available on www.nitb.com in the Visitor Servicing section.)
Hotel/Guesthouse/B&B Accommodation
Coach Pick up for visitors
Possible Clustering of B&B’s organised through RTPs, work with CPTNI
Coach Visitor Spending
Perception of coach visitor spending very poor
National Trust aware of coach visitor spending power
Giant’s Causeway pointed out benefits from coach visitor spending
Research needed to study visitor spending patterns
Bushmills Distillery
50 people a day restriction on coach companies now moved to 100 people a day
Health and safety issues
How does NI compare to other destinations?
Attractions to offer special coach facilities
Coach friendly e.g. parking fees
Single payments not appropriate
Driver consideration
Parking in
Not Coach Friendly
Possible drop off points in Belfast and other cities
Marketing
Problem for small business – CPT (NI)
Only capable of brochure distribution and newspaper ads throughout
No money to market
New combined coach tour brochure
NITB will meet with CPT (NI) to discuss how to progress with the issues identified.
NITB has also identified Zoe Redmond from Tourism Ireland who deals with internet offers as a contact point Zoe can be contacted at zredmond@tourismireland.com