An established coach tour operator of 30 years says its 2022 programme will be the last, blaming COVID for its decision.
Tynedale Group Travel Coach Holidays, based in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, said product range and service levels offered by providers has suffered because of COVID and it doesn’t want to offer its long-standing, loyal customers a sub-standard experience.
Directors Andy and Cath Sinclair told customers: “After 30 years of providing and operating tours around the UK, Ireland, Europe and as far away as New Zealand and Canada, we are sad to announce that it’s time for us to put our suitcases away.
“As the travel and hospitality industry struggle to recover from the results of COVID, we feel that often the product and service offered post-COVID, by hotels and attractions does not match both our and your expectations therefore we have taken the difficult decision to end our years of touring.
“2022 will be our last season operating coach tours, the current 2022 Tynedale Group Travel brochure will be our last.”
Tynedale Group Travel will now concentrate on selling VIP coach transport to events for sports teams and the corporate market in the North East.
The directors said they’d been through ‘some very dark days of COVID lockdown in 2020’ but were inspired to keep going to hit the company’s 30th anniversary milestone on 3 July this year.
They pared back their product offering ‘due to continuing uncertainty surrounding travel restrictions and protocols’ and the latest programme concentrated on UK and Ireland breaks.
The directors added: “Over the years we have met thousands of customers who have become friends and we have worked with some amazing suppliers and business colleagues.
“Thank you all for your support and custom over the past 30 years. It has truly been a privilege with wonderful memories which we will look back on proudly.”
The company, which has specialised in study tours, tailor-made trips and special group tours such as golf packages, says its final coach tour will be a Holly and Mistletoe break to Llandudno and the Tynedale hotel on 11 December.
