VIP coach parties taken back to Elizabethan times
At Excursions™ 2016
Guests of coach and tour operators brought to Excursions™ 2016 at Alexandra
Palace, North London on Saturday, 23rd January will be invited to an afternoon
session of „Elizabethan Dressing‟ in honour of Shakespeare‟s 400 year legacy. As
VIP visitors they will also have fast track entry and receive complimentary drinks and
a welcome bag with lots of goodies.
In partnership with Shakespeare‟s Globe, guides will explain the intricacies of
dressing and the significance of clothing in Elizabethan society. Do you know the
origin of the phrases „straight-laced‟, „loose women‟ and „pin money‟? And what did
Shakespeare‟s contemporaries use as a stain remover? Guests will be able to find
out as they dress a willing group organiser as a character from a Shakespeare play.
This opportunity is only open to coach and tour operators, and other travel trade
professionals, bringing along a private coach of bonafide group travel buyers to
Excursions™ 2016.
Marcia Clement, Sales Manager at Shakespeare‟s Globe comments, “We are very
excited to be demonstrating one of our most popular group activities, „Elizabethan
Dressing‟ in the VIP coach area at Excursions™ 2016 and to also bring to the show
Elizabethan etiquette in the year the country will pay homage to the 400 th anniversary
of Shakespeare‟s death. We have been exhibiting at Excursions™ for many years,
and it is a key show in our calendar for meeting a high calibre of group organisers
from all sectors.”
Operators that have taken up this opportunity in the past have seen direct bookings
as a result of taking their key clients to the show; it‟s also an excellent way to treat
clients to a day out.
RB Travel have been bringing a private coach party to Excursions™ for several
years; “The VIP meet and greet leaves me with no worries as everything is taken
care of”, says Eileen Clarke. “95% of the group organisers I bring make bookings with
contacts they meet at Excursions™ and all I get is positive feedback.”
To book a private coach arrival and benefit from this VIP experience, contact Sarah
Hogger at show organisers Tourism South East on 02380 625 419 or visit the show‟s
new website at www.excursions2016.com for more information; a familiarisation trip
can also be arranged on route to the show.
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Shakespearean legacy at Excursions™
All visitors to Excursions™ will be able to discover more about the world famous
playwright.
Shakespeare‟s England, which is exhibiting at the show, will be commemorating the
four centuries since his death with a range of exciting new exhibitions and events
including an immersive theatrical experience by the Royal Shakespeare Company
and the opening of his schoolroom at King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon to
the general public for the first time.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is transforming New Place, the site of
Shakespeare's home for the last 19 years of his life and where he wrote 26 plays, to
create a new heritage landmark. This project is the most significant Shakespearean
project anywhere in the world to commemorate his legacy. Unfortunately, New Place
was demolished in 1759 by its then owner, Reverend Francis Gastrell, who was
annoyed by visiting Shakespeare enthusiasts. The re-imagined New Place is
scheduled to open on 23rd April, the date of his death.
In London Shakespeare‟s Globe candlelit theatre, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is
hosting the Bard‟s plays as part of its main season for the first time. In 2016 The
Globe will is also holding a temporary exhibition containing the recently discovered
Saint-Omer First Folio notable for its scribbled stage directions, offering valuable
clues as to how the plays were performed over the centuries.
With an expected attendance of 1,300 quality buyers and some 300 exhibitors from
the UK and Europe, Excursions™ will be the place to meet, network and pick up new
inspiration for group day trips, short breaks and holidays.
Online visitor registration will open mid-September. Follow Excursions™ 2016 on
Twitter @Excursionsshow for news and updates or visit the show‟s Facebook page
at „Excursions: Group Travel Trade Exhibition‟. A video with highlights from the 2015
show can also be viewed on the website.
- Ends -
For press enquiries and images please contact:
Pat Edgar, PR Matters
Tel:
01494 764932 / 07836 786043
Brambling House, 7 Finch Lane
Email: [email protected]
Little Chalfont, Bucks HP7 9NE
August 2015