IRU member the Federal Association of German Bus and Coach Companies (bdo) has named three winners of its inaugural Top Bus Destination awards, recognising practical measures that make it easier for coaches to bring visitors to cities, attractions and landmarks.
A successful coach trip depends on more than the journey. Convenient passenger drop-off points, suitable parking, straightforward group access and facilities for drivers influence how easily operators can organise visits and how passengers experience a destination.
Presented in Berlin, Germany’s new Top Bus Destination awards recognised three destinations for their practical solutions to coach tourism. The initiative aims to showcase good practice and encourage other destinations to better accommodate coach groups and their drivers.
Practical solutions at three destinations
Bremerhaven won in the cities category for its central coach drop-off points near maritime attractions, a dedicated contact for coach tourism and tailored programmes combining harbour experiences, culture and gastronomy. These arrangements help connect coach groups with the city's attractions.
Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort won in the visitor attractions category. Its offer includes dedicated facilities and benefits for drivers, digital group registration, flexible group sizes and a separate coach ticket office.
Leuchtenburg won in the landmarks category. It provides step-free access via an inclined lift, visitor facilities at its valley station and ten free coach parking spaces that do not require advance booking.
“With EUR 14.5 billion in annual gross turnover and an employment equivalent of around 175,000 people, bus and coach tourism is a major economic driver in Germany,” said bdo Managing Director Christiane Leonard. “Its benefits extend far beyond transport operators, supporting businesses and communities across the country.”
“To realise this potential, destinations need to be coach-friendly. Convenient drop-off points, adequate parking and easy access to attractions help bring visitors and their spending into the local economy. Our Top Bus Destination awards recognise destinations that get this right and encourage others to follow their example,” she added.
Encouraging closer cooperation with coach operators
Six further destinations were recognised among the nine finalists: Essen and Lutherstadt Wittenberg in the cities category; Autostadt in Wolfsburg and Oskarshausen among visitor attractions; and Marksburg and the World Heritage Site of Corvey among landmarks.
The awards were presented during the bdo Tourism Workshop, which brought together around 38 exhibitors from destinations, tourism providers and the coach industry.
The programme also featured a new study on the economic impact of coach transport and discussions on tourism trends and opportunities for cooperation.
“Our new study shows that 45.6% of the turnover generated by bus and coach tourism comes from visitors’ spending at their destinations,” said Christiane Leonard.
“By welcoming coach groups, destinations support local hotels, restaurants, shops and visitor attractions. Being coach-friendly is therefore an investment in the local economy,” she added.
The Top Bus Destination competition will return in 2027, with nominations and applications expected to open in spring. By showcasing practical examples of coach-friendly services, the initiative seeks to encourage destinations to take the needs of coach operators, drivers and passengers into account.