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October 16, 2003
Putting coaches first earns Rochester IRU City Trophy
Kortrijk - The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is pleased to announce that Medway Council, governing the city of Rochester in South East England, has been awarded the first IRU City Trophy. This new award has been created by the IRU to recognise and reward cities which boost tourism by investing in facilities to improve access for coaches.
Francesco Pacifico, President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council, said: "Medway Council's arrangements for UK and foreign coaches are a shining example to municipal governments everywhere. Recognising the need to facilitate tourists' access to their historic area, the Council acted decisively to put coach passengers, coach drivers and coaches at the centre of their plan - to the economic, social and environmental benefit of the city."
Medway Council was willing to invest in coach facilities because it measures coach tourism and its economic impact. During the four-day Charles Dickens Festival in 2002, 110 coaches brought in over 4'000 visitors. Revenue generated by the Visitor Information Centre, located next to the Coach drop off / pick up point, increased from EUR 78'000 in 1999-2000 to EUR 138'000 in 2002-03.
Convenient access for tourists to the city centre is provided by the drop off / pick up point, which is also close to prime tourist attractions, like the Charles Dickens Centre, Rochester Castle and the departure pier for boat trips on the River Thames.
Medway Council has invested around EUR 70'000 in its Acorn Wharf Coach Park, located a short distance from the city centre, but easily reached from the nearby A2 main road. The coach park boasts parking bays for 37 coaches, plus a facility for washing coaches. A substantial brick building houses a driver rest room, complete with television, a self-catering kitchen and the office of the Coach Attendant. Security is further enhanced by a network of close circuit TV cameras. Access to the coach park is regulated by electronically activated barriers, controlled by the Attendant.
Situated 65 km from the major cross-Channel port of Dover, Rochester plays host to significant numbers of foreign tourists. Comprehensive signposting for coach drivers is provided not only in English, but also in Dutch, French and German.
The IRU City Trophy 2003 award jury comprised: Dr. Dieter-Lebrecht Koch (MEP), André-Philippe Feutré (CEO, International Hotel & Restaurant Association), Birger Bäckman (CEO, United Federation of Travel Agents Associations), Tom Jenkins (CEO, European Tour Operators Association), Jens Jensen (Director, World Tourism Organisation).
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