Group Travel

Preferred Group Travel

We can provide cost-effective, imaginative itineraries for all types of groups – from small social clubs and walking groups through to university study trips and corporate incentives.

Our very first customers back in 2000 were a private group from Hornchurch in Essex – they came back three more times, before the organiser retired. Though he then travelled as an individual, still with Preferred Travel Services. Normally things work the other way – customers travel with us, and then decide to organise a group. Today, several walking groups trust us with organizing their annual overseas trips. Size doesn’t matter – small groups can feed into our existing departure dates, while larger groups may prefer a bespoke itinerary just for them.

We are also able to arrange company factory visits, corporate incentives and trips to sporting events.

Who is my contact?
Steve West (groups@preferredts.com – 0116 2793929) is your initial contact. Your call will be answered quickly and in person between 9 and 5.30, Monday to Friday, 9-1 on Saturday.
How many people do I need
Tailor-made private group departures normally need a minimum of 25 passengers, particularly if travelling by coach. Though on city stays, and walking holidays, we have catered for groups as small as 12 members. For smaller groups, we can arrange for you to have places on one of our regular departures. Every group in excess of 10 people will in any case receive a personalised quotation.
Where can we travel from?
We pioneered the idea of using the smaller UK airports. Our expertise in regional departures (our regular programme offers holidays from over 20 U.K. departure airports) helps us make convenient travel arrangements for groups from all regions. We can arrange connecting travel to the airport for your group.
Will you prepare leaflets and promotional material for me?
We are here, above all, to help. We can assist with paperwork, the production of posters, leaflets or even colour mini-brochures.
Will our money be safe?
As holders of an ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence), and ABTA members, all money is protected. We observe all European and National Regulations. You, and your members, need to travel with confidence. We will also help ensure that you do not fall foul of the laws and regulations that can affect group organisers these days.
What types of groups do you cater for?

Some examples follow. We have expertise in many areas of Europe (and further afield), and in different special interests too. If we don’t know an area you wish to travel to, we will tell you! Our permanent presence in both northern Spain and Italy will help us smooth your path, and arrange special visits if you are travelling to those areas.

  1. WALKING GROUPS: some of our walking groups like to travel on their own exclusive date, others prefer to enjoy the company of fellow-walkers from across the UK. If you wish, you can have both: travel to a hotel on a date when we have other walkers, but (from 12 customers) have your own exclusive walking guide for the walking excursions. Our normal brochured walks may well suit your interests and fitness: but we ALWAYS use locally-based walking guides so it is no trouble to amend walking itineraries to suit.
  2. STUDY and CULTURAL groups: over the years we have catered for adult education groups (geology, fine art, prehistory, botany, archaeology… to name but a few). Other private adult groups came to Preferred for wildlife, railway events, flower shows, and even Formula 1 grand prix events – one of our directors has great expertise in this area. U3As, Probus groups, or just a group of friends – please contact us, we are happy to help.
  3. INCENTIVE GROUPS: Incentive travel is a small but significant part of what we do and one of our directors has a wealth of experience and continues to provide programmes for a global company. In just the same way as our holiday itineraries are unusual and have those little extra ingredients that make the difference, our incentive programmes also benefit from our imagination and experience.
  4. GROUPS OF FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES, or CLUB MEMBERS. These are perhaps those we encounter most frequently.