Well, we were honoured to be included in a radio broadcast this morning with BBC Gloucestershire! The piece was about the recent increase in illegal tour operators running tours throughout the Cotswolds. Gloucestershire Police have been made aware off individuals running tours, mainly from London & bringing guests to the Cotswolds. The problem is that these companies do not have the correct licence or insurance to be carrying paying passengers.
Lucy from Cotswolds Guided Tours was asked to give her views on this new tend. 'It is a concern to hear that guests are visiting the UK & getting into unlicensed & uninsured vehicles with strangers, only to be taken to remote locations, with no idea of where they are or where help can be found'
Book with Cotswolds Guided Tours:
When guests book a tour with Cotswolds Guided Tours then they know they are in safe hands. Richard & Lucy Lambert have the correct licence to operate tours, they have full public liability insurance & a fully licenced vehicle. Not only are we a local Cotswolds Tour company, based just outside of Moreton in Marsh, safety of our guests is our top priority.
Many visitors to the UK often assume that if they book a tour then the companies are legitimate. Unfortunately Gloucestershire Police spent 1 hour in Bourton on the Water & during that time found 3 vehicles operating illegally, the DVSA also seized a minibus full of passengers!
Travel with Cotswolds Guided Tours:
Book with a local Cotswolds Tour company, your guide knows all the best places to take you, the best roads to use & the quirky history. Lucy & Richard provide award winning tours, so you know you are in safe hands.
Beware of companies using our business name! Always book direct through our website www.cotswoldsguidedtours.co.uk . Many companies try to ride on the back of a successful business so don't be fooled into booking with someone else!
Check for a good online presence, is the company you are considering on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & most importantly check the reviews on TripAdvisor! Reviews are super difficult to accumulate, we have almost 500, 5* reviews in just over 2 years, which is amazing! You can see our reviews are left by visitors from all over the world, this helps to build confidence with potential guests.
Cotswolds Guided Tours is a member of 'Caring for the Cotswolds' & the official Cotswold Tourism Board.
Transparency, we will always tell our guests where we are meeting them, the make, model & registration of the vehicle we are travelling in & most importantly what is included in the tour! We understand that guests want to know the locations we are visiting...…..
We strive to create tours that show the beauty of the Cotswolds region, include the quirky history & interesting facts as we travel to each location all at an amazing price £45 per person for a maximum of 7 guests. So if you are planning to visit the Cotswolds, then make sure you book a tour with a reputable company, so you know you are in for a wonderful day out exploring the Cotswolds & that you will be safe!
Finally, we are pleased to hear that Gloucestershire Police is tackling this matter, the official tour companies, whose aim is to provide sustainable tourism in their local region have nothing to fear. When you are licensed by the local authority then each driver has to have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check, a medical, a driving test & the vehicle inspected (MOT) every year. All Private Hire licensed vehicles have to display their licence in the windshield at all times, so it is easy to spot who the fraudsters are!
We don't want these illegal tours to damage the reputation of local companies like ours!
Travel Safe - Travel Smart - Book with Cotswolds Guided Tours!