The second Belmont International UK Coach Awards saw over 70 companies and organisations across the UK coach and coach tourism industry recognised and rewarded for their excellence and good practice at a gala dinner in Manchester on the 28th of April.
Compered by BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood, the awards themselves were presented by James Berresford, chief executive of Visit England and were attended by over 240 key players in the coaching and coach tourism industry who had come together to celebrate excellence, original thinking and innovation.
Commenting on their involvement as lead sponsors, Belmont International Director Phil White said "We have been at the forefront of providing risk and insurance management to the bus and coach sector for over twenty years and during that time we have seen quality and safety in the industry come on in leaps and bounds. Being associated with companies and individuals that demonstrate all that is good about this industry is something that we continue to be proud of. Our congratulations go to both the winners and the runners-up, all of whom should be proud of their achievements.
Johnsons Coach and Bus were double winners
Outstanding and popular winners were the Warwickshire operator Johnsons Coach and Bus, taking home two awards. First the company won the title Coach Operator of the Year (Large Fleets). The evening was completed when Johnsons was then named as Belmont International UK Coach Operator of the Year, a judgement based both on customer nominations, performance data and a ‘mystery shopper’ exercise to test the company’s customer friendliness. The judges praised Johnsons’ all-round success in marketing, staff relations and health & safety as well as a strong financial performance.