Wales Tourism Performance
Report: January to March 2018
Following the publication of the latest
comprehensive tourism
quarterly report covering the early part of 2018, there is much to be
optimistic about. In his statement on the report the Minister for
Culture, Tourism and Sport, Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM said:
“It’s hugely encouraging that Wales
saw larger increases then the GB average in both the number and spend of
overnight GB visitors in the first 3 months of 2018 compared to 2017, as well
as increases in day visitors and their spend over the same period. Whilst
the sample size is small, added to reports of our hotels, tourist attractions
and eateries being extremely busy over a productive summer period, there is
real excitement that 2018 is set to be an excellent year for our tourism
industry.
“Wales again attracted over a million visitors
from abroad over the past year, a significant improvement on where we were only
five years ago, but we must not rest on our laurels. The industry
deserves huge credit for the quality and diversity of what Wales has to offer
and I look forward to continuing to work with them as we look to build on our
successes and encourage more people to visit Wales”.
The fieldwork for the next Visit Wales Tourism Barometer wave, which is a telephone
survey of tourism operators (incl. restaurant/cafés etc) is due to start after
the autumn half term on 5th November.
Year of the Sea: Connected Coasts autumn marketing campaign
Connected Coasts is the
last of our seasonal themes for Year of the Sea. For the autumn period from October to
December we will be focusing on great journeys, national routes and trails that
lead through our country enticing
visitors to come to wales for weekends or short breaks.
Our
creative approach will feature the links between countryside and coast and
visitors will be invited to explore The Wales Way – the three national scenic touring
routes that cross the country’s most epic landscapes as a way of showcasing
Wales’ fascinating history, coastlines, attractions and food and drink.
As part of
our campaign, there will be Wales content featured in the Telegraph and the
Evening Standard during October. Hollywood star Luke Evans will be seen as part
of the Visit Wales Year of the Sea film on digital TV and video on demand
throughout October with further Year of the Sea promotion on the huge motion
screen at London’s Waterloo station (1 – 8 October 2018) and digital
advertising also appearing in key
underground stations (1 – 14 October
2018) – to encourage commuters and visitors to take a break in Wales during
autumn.
Following the
legendary performance of Geraint Thomas in the Tour de France this year, and on
the back of hosting the first stage of the 2018 Tour of Britain, cycling is
also being promoted through a partnership with the Cyclist where we’ll be
promoting content on epic rides around Wales – including Geraint Thomas’ ‘Tour de
Wales’ - on roads that helped nurture the Tour de France winner.
Make sure you share your coastal events and stories
across social media on @visitwales and
@croesocymru using #findyourepic.
Also, take a look at our Connected Coasts film featuring
Richard Parks.
Online
technology support to grow your tourism business
Whether your target market is local, national or
international, online technology can help your business to improve finances and
Superfast Business Wales can help you
make the most of online tools and platforms to do this.
Take
a look at how Superfast Business
Wales has helped the Royal Victoria Hotel in Snowdonia embrace email marketing, driving
£15,000 of new business; how Fron
Farm Yurts Glamping business has increased profits by 20 per cent
and become a wedding venue by attending
master classes on the web and social media; Llety Cynin is using social media and online technology
to grow the business with local and global customers; and The
Old Mill Holiday Cottages has embraced digital to cut business costs by turning the
website into an online showcase, managing bookings through one
easy-to-use system and driving customer bookings via social media.
Education Business Exchange
The Education Business Exchange gives employers the opportunity to work
with schools to develop exciting curriculum enhancing programmes for pupils and
is looking for employers and individuals who are ready and willing to work with
schools. Find out more here.
UK
Holiday parks major survey
Calling all camping, caravan and holiday parks! Don’t forget to help
provide an accurate picture across the regions and four countries by completing
the current survey establishing the impact of the holiday-park sector on the UK
economy. Commissioned by the Economic Impact Research Group (BH&HPA,
NCC, Camping & Caravanning Club, Caravan & Motorhome Club), the report
will be published and available to you in late 2018. Your input is essential to
ensure data is robust and to enable accurate comparisons to be made. Help
ensure that the information for Wales is as good as it can be! Please complete
the survey here before the end of
September.
A low
carbon pathway for Wales – consultation closes 4 October
We are required to
reduce our emissions in Wales by at least 80% in 2050. This will require very
significant changes to how we live and work. The low carbon pathways
consultation presents initial thoughts on how we might reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 45% between now and 2030. Welsh Government is currently seeking
views on what actions should be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
2030. Have
your say here by 4 October 2018.
Reducing your carbon footprint with
SPECIFIC
Funded through the European Regional
Development Fund, SPECIFIC provides
support to Welsh businesses across a variety of sectors – including tourism. The
Tourism industry relies on energy expenditure in various forms and SPECIFIC
helps businesses to develop their low carbon credentials, which could in turn
be used for “eco-focussed” business development. If your business owns or
occupies a building - with its specialist knowledge in Solar PV, Solar Thermal,
Batteries, Electric Vehicles and charging, Building Integration and Smart
Systems and more - SPECIFIC can advise you on how best to benefit from these
technologies in a tailored report. By generating storing and releasing your own
energy, your business could save money, boost sales & revenue, create jobs,
reduce your carbon footprint and futureproof your energy supply.
Learn
more about SPECIFIC and for more information email Chris Bailey,
Business Development Officer, or call on 01792 606491.
EU settlement toolkit for
employers
In order to
assist businesses with communicating the key information to EU employees about
the EU Settlement Scheme, a toolkit
for employers has been produced. This includes a variety of leaflets and
posters. Take a look and download here. EU employees can also sign up for updates
with the latest on the scheme here.
Head of Marketing for Wales
We will soon be welcoming to the Visit Wales team Lucy Von Webber, who
has been appointed as Head of Marketing for Visit Wales.
Born and brought up in Carmarthenshire, Lucy is a familiar face to lots
of people in Welsh tourism with over 20 years of practical experience in the
wider industry. She has been freelance
since 2014 with a portfolio that has covered all aspects of integrated
marketing - offline as well as online/digital (from social media strategy and
campaign delivery to business planning, market research and training). Prior to going freelance, Lucy has worked in
visitor attractions, academic leisure research, private sector tourism
consultancy, and tourism marketing roles in public sector organisations
including Carmarthenshire, Swansea and the former regional tourism partnership
in south west Wales. She has also recently worked with Visit Wales
engaging with stakeholders around The Wales Way project.
With her
combination of experience and enthusiasm – and her in-depth knowledge of
tourism across Wales – Lucy will be a huge asset and looks forward to working
with the tourism industry in her new role.
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