Visit York Drives Group Travel Growth Through Regional Trade Engagement

Visit York championed York’s group tourism offer at a major Travel Trade familiarisation visit hosted at Ampleforth Abbey on Thursday 12 February 2026.

Delivered in partnership with regional tourism organisations, the event brought together more than 40 tour organisers, operators, media representatives and 18 North Yorkshire Blue Badge Guides — key decision-makers responsible for shaping group itineraries across the UK and beyond.

As part of the formal programme, Visit York delivered a focused presentation promoting the city’s group-friendly experiences, new developments and plans for 2026 and beyond. By engaging directly with buyers and guides, Visit York actively positioned York as a must-include destination within wider North Yorkshire itineraries.

The day combined guided tours, structured networking and a partner mini-expo, creating valuable opportunities for conversation and commercial connections. Participating businesses reported strong engagement and interest in future bookings, reinforcing the value of coordinated trade-facing activity.

By taking a proactive role in regional partnership events, Visit York continues to drive travel trade development, strengthen York’s presence in the group market and create meaningful exposure for the city’s visitor economy.