Coach Tourism passengers play an important role in supporting the local economy of towns, cities and villages as it brings much needed revenue to local hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops, particularly those within the immediate area of visitor attractions. For many it is fundamental to their continued existence. In order to support rural communities and provide an incentive to less known visitor attractions, the Coach Tourism and Transport Council are currently in the process of initiating a Coach Friendly Towns, Cities and Villages Award Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to help raise the profile of coaches and coach tourism across Ireland. The scheme will recognize and reward individual visitor attractions that demonstrate a commitment to welcoming coaches and their passengers and to provide guidance criteria to improve their product and reach the standards necessary to participate in the awards scheme.

• Dedicated and easy-to-find group/coach page/information on website.
• There must be clear evidence that the attraction welcomes coaches and consults with local bodies and the coach industry on issues relating to coaches regarding parking, planning, traffic etc.
• Clear directional instructions and signs for visiting coaches.
• Dedicated, adequate, ideally free coach parking (and policed to avoid misuse by other vehicles) at the attraction.
• An on-board Coach Welcome from the attraction staff.
• They must provide, through literature and/or via the internet, a comprehensive tourism proposition.
• Adequate facilities for group comfort (toilets, refreshments, waiting areas etc.).
• Provision of Coach and Drivers facilities.
• Facilities to handle disabled and mobility impaired coach passengers.
• A named representative(s) who can be contacted or on hand to deal with difficulties and an agreed system to resolve conflicts and complaints.

• An assessment strategy for achieving the award will follow the process below:
• The assessment will be conducted by CTTC staff and linked to operator feedback.
• A presentation describing the coach friendly offer will be required from the attraction, usually though not necessarily in the form of PowerPoint.
• A further review of the presentation will be undertaken by CTTC staff to ensure that a coherent strategy has been / is being implemented.
• Final judging will then take place by the panel and the award made.

• A framed Certificate confirming the status valid for 3 years.
• A link will be displayed on the CTTC website providing details of the names and locations of attractions which have received the CTTC Award.
• Unlimited use of Coach Friendly logo online and in print.