Destinations

Operators ExploreGB On Land And Sea

A group of Canadian tour operators visiting England for a fam tour and trade conference spent the first part of their trip discovering attractions in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, on both land and water.

A cross-country sprint from London Heathrow to Devon ended in the sprawling Bovey Castle, providing a Day One rest for 16 tour operators attending the 2019 edition of the ExploreGB Canadian educational trip.

Bovey Castle offers stays in 60 rooms within the rambling estate, plus 22 self-catering country lodges on its grounds. It sits on highlands within Dartmoor National Park, providing expansive views of the park’s raw beauty.

On Day Two, attendees got the opportunity to quickly explore a sampling of the park’s highlights before visiting the impossibly scenic country village of North Bovey for lunch, and then heading to Exeter, the capital of Devon.

On Day Three, the group of Canadians took to the waters of the historic city of Plymouth, on board a fishing boat to try their hand at angling in the English Channel. The fruits of their labour were collected on board the vessel operated by Plymouth Boat Trips, and prepared for lunch.

A tour of the town afterward provided insights to a city that was witness to the earliest sailing of settlers to the New World, nearly 400 years ago.

The four-century anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to North America will be celebrated in Plymouth next year, as part of Mayflower 400.

The group is proceeding to Harrogate in Yorkshire for the conference portion of the ExploreGB trip, when tour operators from around the world meet with suppliers from across Britain.

Go to www.visitbritain.com for more.

In the photo

Mark Harris of Butterfield & Robinson, Elena Prountzopoulos of Atourz and Craig Canvin of Goway in the sun on the waterfront of Plymouth Harbour, during the ExploreGB fam tour of Devon and Cornwall.