From Roman ruins to royal history and heritage rail, Leicester’s rich visitor offer will be firmly in the spotlight when the Association for Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) stages its 2026 Showcase in the city from 27 February to 1 March. More than 70 group travel decision-makers will attend the three-day event at Holiday Inn Leicester City Centre, combining industry presentations and exhibitions with behind-the-scenes visits to Jewry Wall, the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester Cathedral, The Guildhall, Great Central Railway and Belvoir Castle.
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With its 2,000 years of history, a vibrant cultural offer, food and drink experiences, quality accommodation and award-winning festivals, Leicester is increasingly being seen as an ideal destination for group travel.
Complemented by the rolling hills and stunning countryside of the county, which is also home to many award-winning attractions, the area is firmly on the map for group travel and has been a finalist for the last three years as “Best UK Destination for Groups” at the Group Leisure and Travel Awards.
Wendy Hartley-Scarff, CEO of the Association for Group Travel Organisers, said: “Leicester is a vibrant city and well-known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and innovative spirit. Yet, beyond its Roman ruins and impressive curry houses, Leicester hides a treasure trove of quirky and humorous facts that give the city its unique character. We wanted to bring our members to somewhere different that offers a warm welcome for groups and where they can get a very different experience to other destinations they may have visited previously. Group travel organisers are always looking for something new, and we believe Leicester offers this with attractions that cannot be found elsewhere.”
Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council commented: “We are delighted that Leicester has been selected to host the annual AGTO Showcase event in a couple of weeks, and we are looking forward to welcoming our visitors and showing them a selection of the fantastic attractions and experiences on offer. We expect as a result that more group travel organisers will choose to return to Leicester with their groups in the future.”
A brand-new Group Travel Guide for Leicester and Leicestershire will be distributed at the showcase event. The new guide features the Top 12 main attractions for groups in the city and county and also includes experiences, guided walks, itinerary ideas and accommodation options that are happy to work with travel trade. The guide gives an in-depth look at the area, providing group travel operators and organisers with all the information they need to make informed decisions about the area as a tourist destination for groups.
More details about the full offer for group travel organisers in Leicester and Leicestershire can be found at Group Travel in Leicester and Leicestershire – Visit Leicester where the brand-new Group Travel Guide will be available to download from 27 February 2026.