Travel & Tourism Awards 2021

Page 26 www.lux-review.com LUX 2021 Travel & Tourism Awards TML Travel Group attracts clients with a higher disposable income who are looking for a high-quality escorted coach tour and who would not consider a traditional coach holiday, perhaps favouring cruises instead. “We offer a small niche market tour operation under the branding ‘Discerning Tours for Discerning People’ providing high-quality day excursions, weekend breaks and extended tours within the UK,” David explains, outlining the company’s key offering. Then there’s the signature brand ‘Grand Days Out’, which include a traditional touring style itinerary, all admission fees and a three- course meal at a Marriott hotel or similar. In addition, TML Travel Group has taken this a stage further and introduced a limited number of Country Club Weekends staying at a Marriott Hotel & Country Club setting, which offer several enhancements. The tours are designed to appeal to the more discerning traveller by offering a more personal touch, a better quality travelling experience and accommodation in quality 4/5* hotels. The itineraries are designed to be interesting and innovative, visiting some of the best destinations the UK has to offer. as well as some lesser known, but equally as interesting destinations offering a variety of experiences and excursions. “All our tours are designed to recapture the essence of the ‘golden age of travel’, but with a modern twist and utilising quality four-star hotels and the very latest in high quality vehicles,” he highlights. “And, as a company we have continually evolved to meet the requirements of the 21st century traveller.” To differentiate itself from the mainstream traditional operators, TML Travel Group Founded in 2010, TML Travel Group is a family-owned tour operator and brainchild of David Arkell, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the travel industry covering coach tourism, tour management, operations, transport management, special events and conferences. Dec20543 TML TRAVEL GROUP LIMITED Most Unique Niche Tour Operators – UK majors on its uniqueness and attention to detail, providing a more personal service for clients. “Everyone involved with the company & the delivery of our tours, which includes our tour managers, drivers and suppliers are keen to ensure our clients really do have a wonderful time and take home many happy memories from our time with us.” In fact, the firm is keen to continually improve and enhance its offering, with each tour departure being treated as an individual tour in its own right, to ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Since 2015, TML Travel Group has been operating tours for special interest groups looking for a more up market travelling experience combined with interesting and innovative itineraries. This includes Religious Heritage Tours & Pilgrimages which are especially popular and current destinations are Iona, Lindisfarne and the North East, Canterbury, St David’s & West Wales. Covid-19 has by far been the biggest challenge faced by the firm to date, but at the same time, it has provided David and the team time to sit back and evaluate its offering, as well as providing the opportunity to develop new itineraries and destination offerings. “To navigate round the challenges created by COVID-19 we have engaged a lot more with social media and moved our tours online to create virtual tours using photos and footage of previous visits,” David explains. “This has helped us to foster goodwill, engage with new or potential clients by showcasing some of our favourite tours. In addition, it has allowed existing clients to still travel with us, without leaving their homes, but still be engaged.” Regarding the future, David has exciting plans for TML Travel Group which should come to fruition in 2021. These include the launch of Golden Heritage Coach Tours Ltd, which was incorporated in 2020. Created for those who wish to experience the nostalgia of coach travel using heritage vehicles from operators of a bygone era. This niche brand as part of TML Travel Group Limited aims to recreate classic coach holidays using comfortable 3* hotels. “We aim to offer a variety of breaks and destinations within the UK, some of which will include entertainment. They are ideal for enthusiasts and those wishing to recapture the travel of yesteryear!” There are also developments regarding new destinations for the Religious Heritage Tours and also a new Scenic Scotland tour series, delayed due to COVID-19, with the jewel in the crown being a 7/9 day ‘Orkney Explorer’ tour, departing in July 2021. And, finally, David plans to relaunch the company website on a new platform in 2021 – the future is most definitely ‘golden’! Company: TML TRAVEL GROUP LIMITED Contact: David Arkell Website: www.tml-travel-group.com