Issue № 22 — Late April 2020

Ideas and opportunities for group travel buyers. Brought to you by the team behind GTO magazine, the authoritative source of group travel knowledge.

Hello from all at GTO magazine!

Stretch your virtual legs on a tour round Parliament

If you want to do some research during the lockdown for future London outings, take a look at the 360° virtual tour around UK Parliament. You can explore many of the main rooms including the Commons Chamber, Lords Chamber, Robing Room and Central Lobby. Remember to look up. There are some stunning ceilings to discover!

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Grapevine Nuggets

The Shows Must Go On!

Friday night is musical night! Sit back and enjoy free streamed performances of some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's amazing back catalogue, released at 7pm every Friday and available to watch for 24 or 48 hours on YouTube. Which show will be next?

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Lions in the lounge!

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire has launched an online safari for fans to enjoy while the park is closed due to the pandemic. Narrated by Kate Humble, virtual visitors can see the giraffes, zebras, big cats and visit the dreaded macaques without risking their windscreen wipers!

Garden escapes in 2021

Looking ahead to happier days, Brightwater Holidays have unveiled their new Garden Holidays preview brochure for 2021. Their Adventures of a Lifetime and new Botanical Tours also look tempting! They also offer tailormade group trips.

Take a look >>

Pompeii in 360 degrees

If you've missed a planned trip to the bay of Naples, console yourself (or do your research for next year) with an online wander through the ruins of Pompeii. 27 locations are available with 360 degree views and information. Other areas of Italy can also be visited.

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The Curve online

Leicester's Curve Theatre has announced a host of online initiatives to bring theatre into audiences’ homes during lockdown. These will include interviews and archive recordings of their productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Take a look >>

Discover Sweden's attractions

Visit Sweden UK has announced a series of webinars aimed at showcasing Sweden to British travel and tourism partners in the comfort of their own homes. Running weekly on Wednesdays, viewers will be able to ask questions and join discussions.

Have fun with the Trocks!

All-male American ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo has launched an online performance programme. Both ballet fans and ballet phobics are guaranteed to enjoy their hysterical and histrionic performances.

Nightingale's legacy

The Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas' Hospital, London is currently closed but you can find out more about this pioneer of modern medicine in her bicentenary year at the museum's online portal. See why she is justly celebrated from the 1800s to the current day.

Let the Trust transport you away

The gardens and houses of the National Trust may be currently out of reach, but some gardens can be visited virtually. These include Hidcote in Gloucestershire with its herbaceous borders, lily pond and plant house, and Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

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Tourism industry news

With the tourism economy completely frozen for an indefinite period, the survival of many of the UK's coach operators is in doubt. Several have closed in recent weeks, including Sea View Coaches of Poole, Alexcars of Cirencenster, and Nova Tours of Chesterfield. Meanwhile, the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) plans to petition the Government for more help for the industry.

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The last three cruise ships still sailing have now come to port, meaning that every cruise liner in the world is now either moored in port, or sailing without passengers. The last three were the MSC Magifica which docked at Marseille, the Pacific Princess which ended its voyage in Los Angeles and the Costa Deliziosa which disembarked passengers at Barcelona before mooring at Genoa.

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