About

ECT Travel is Bath’s B2B specialist offering a trusted DMC service for the travel trade, incentive houses and event organisers across Bath, Bristol and the Southwest of England since 1993. 

From culinary trails and countryside walks to music, Gothic and historic deep-dives and female-focused travel experiences, whatever the theme, we tailor it! Literary travel is a particular strength. We work closely with our sister company Strictly Jane Austen Tours to package Regency and Bridgerton-themed experiences and also draw on Bath’s wider literary heritage, including its connections to Mary Shelley and Frankenstein.  

Bath’s Georgian architecture, Jane Austen connections and UNESCO World Heritage status makes it an historically and culturally appealing destination, particularly for North American visitors. 

With 30+ years of local connections, we have a unique network of expert, knowledgeable guides, craftspeople, venues and trusted partners who we work with to bring every programme to life. Our itineraries are bespoke and meticulously planned from arrival to departure. 

Key selling points for groups

• Bath's leading travel company providing tours for the travel trade

• Inside knowledge of Bath, Bristol and the surrounding region means that they can connect groups with the best venues, the most compelling activities and the most memorable places to eat, drink and sleep. 

• Industry expertise means that they are quick to understand what groups are looking for, allowing them to create programmes precisely matched to their particular interests and requirements. 

• Long track record of working with the international travel trade means that they always deliver meticulously planned programmes to agreed budgets. 

• ECT Travel provides all the services required to operate a successful tour, from transport and hotels to tour managers, local guides and management support. 

• Can extend itineraries nationally for groups who wish to extend itineraries beyond the West to other regions in the UK.

Useful information for travel trade

Group booking procedures 

• ECT Travel has a dedicated trade and groups contact for all bookings and enquiries with a named account manager assigned to ongoing programme planning.  

Rates and pricing 

• Commissionable rates to the travel trade and can provide guaranteed FIT rates on request for confirmed programmes.  

Group sizes and event capacity 

• Group sizes are flexible and tailored to the itinerary, typically from small private groups up to full coach parties, with bespoke pricing structured around group size and programme complexity.   

Sustainability 

• ECT Travel aims to ensure that all of their holidays make a positive social, economic, and environmental contribution to the communities and destinations they travel to. They work hard to minimise the negative impacts on both people and planet of all tour programmes and internal office activities.

Accessability 

• The team is committed to making travel a comfortable, enriching and inclusive experience and is dedicated to ensuring that all travellers - whether visually impaired, hearing impaired or facing mobility or cognitive challenges - feel supported throughout their journey.

Enhanced and exclusive experiences

The team can arrange: 

• Private, out-of-hours access to No 1 Royal Crescent and other heritage venues. 
• Behind-the-scenes visits with independent artists, craftspeople and designers not normally open to the public. 
• Exclusive private hire of unique local venues for dinners, receptions or events. 
• Private guided access to the Roman Baths or Bath Abbey outside normal hours. 
• Bespoke Regency-themed experiences via Strictly Jane Austen Tours, including costume fittings, private dance demonstrations or exclusive access to Austen-related properties. 
• Private vineyard tours and tastings with the winemaker. 
• Tailored ‘meet the maker’ sessions with local floristry, textile or culinary specialists for smaller, VIP groups.  

Product development and partnerships

ECT Travel partners with a trusted network of transportation, hospitality, heritage venues, culinary specialists and knowledgeable expert guides to create joint entry packages tailored to trade buyers. This includes Thermae Bath Spa and the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel for wellness-focused programmes and our sister company Strictly Jane Austen Tours for Regency and Bridgerton-themed experiences drawing on Bath’s wider literary heritage, including its connections to Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. 

Their partnerships allow us to build complementary, multi-strand itineraries (ie literary + heritage + culinary + culture + wellness + wellbeing) that give trade buyers and their clients a richer, more joined-up programme than a single attraction. 
Examples include: 

• Combining a literary walking tour with a private wine tasting at a local vineyard 
• Pairing a Georgian house visit with a hands-on craft workshop 
• Enhancing a countryside walk with a local cider tasting