Tourism Industry Update
Please follow the news reports and for latest Coronavirus advice regularly visit the Public Health Wales website and the Business Wales website
BULLETIN CONTENTS: Visits to Tourist Attractions survey; VisitBritain webinar – Wave 4 International COVID-19 Sentiment Tracker results, 6 April 2022; REMINDER- Opportunities to exhibit at global business event exhibitions 2022; Landmark survey finds that disabled people have been disadvantaged post-lockdown; Disability Confident – employer webinar, Thurs 7 April 2022; Wales on Rails - new sustainable tourism project launched; Welsh Government consultations: REMINDER- Second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates – closes 28 March; Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022; National Eisteddfod 2022; The law has changed: Physically punishing children becomes illegal in Wales; £22 million Welsh Government funding to support Theatr Clwyd redevelopment; NCSC advises organisations to act following Russia’s attack on Ukraine; Useful COVID-19 information
Visits to Tourist Attractions survey
The Visits to Tourist Attractions report monitors trends in the tourist attraction sector in order to provide a greater understanding of the sector to both industry and public sector organisations.
Over the coming months Visit Wales will be working with Strategic Research and Insight (SRI) to undertake a survey of visitor attractions in Wales, which will collect visitor figures for 2021. Strategic Research and Insight will contact visitor attractions directly over the coming week. We are very grateful for the support of visitor attractions in providing visitor numbers and other vital data; this is used to inform strategies that will help us support the tourism industry.
If your visitor attraction does not receive contact from SRI but you would like to participate, please contact Jennifer.Velu@gov.wales.
VisitBritain webinar– Wave 4 International COVID-19 Sentiment Tracker results, 6 April 2022
VisitBritain is holding a webinar on 6 April, 11am-12.30pm, providing the latest overview of inbound travel and the results from wave 4 of the International Covid-19 Sentiment Tracker. The webinar is free and open to everyone.
To book your place register on: Business support webinars | VisitBritain.
REMINDER: Opportunities to exhibit at global business event exhibitions 2022
Event Wales, Meet In Wales team are exhibiting with a Wales branded stand at three leading global event for Business Events in 2022:
- IMEX: Frankfurt, 31 May - 02 June 2022
- The Meetings Show: ExCel, London, 29 - 30 June 2022
- IBTM: Fira, Barcelona, 29 November - 01 December 2022
As a springboard to COVID-19 business recovery plans, Meet In Wales will subsidise the cost for a limited number of eligible companies to attend up to three leading global events for Business Events on the Meet in Wales pavilion in 2022 (10 eligible companies to attend IMEX and IBTM and up to 14 companies for The Meetings Show).
The closing date for applications will be 1 April 2022.
For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit: Business Events Wales – Exhibition Opportunities | Business Wales (gov.wales).
If you have any queries, please contact the Meet In Wales team MeetInWales@gov.wales.
Landmark survey finds that disabled people have been disadvantaged post-lockdown
The Euan's Guide Access Survey is the longest running survey of its kind in the UK and asks disabled people what's good and not so good about disabled access at the places they visit.
New research has revealed that 59% of disabled people believe that COVID-19 has made disabled access worse.
73% of respondents reported that they have found information on a venue’s website to be misleading, confusing or inaccurate and this was echoed by 73% of respondents who had experienced a disappointing trip or had to change plans due to poor accessibility.
Accessible parking and accessible toilets remain a top priority for disabled visitors with 81% and 80% of respondents respectively reporting that they would help improve confidence when visiting new places.
Read more on Euan's Guide Access Survey 2021 Results (euansguide.com) and view the latest results of the annual access survey on: The Access Survey - Euan's Guide (euansguide.com).
Learn what adjustments may help you address your customers’ access needs and provide them with a great experience, by completing the Tourism for All free, short training course: So what makes you think you are not accessible? (tourismforall.org.uk).
Disability Confident – employer webinar, Thursday 7 April 2022
With approximately 420,000 disabled people of working age in Wales, there is a huge pool of untapped talent waiting to fill your vacancies.
Find out and register for this free, short webinar, with expert advice on how creating a diverse workforce can increase quality applications for your vacancies, and build an inclusive workforce which reflects the diversity of your customers: Disability Confident – Employer Webinar | Business Wales (gov.wales).
‘Wales on Rails’ - new sustainable tourism project launched
The new tourism project ‘Wales on Rails’ has been launched; encouraging more people to travel around Wales sustainably using the national rail network, heritage railways and buses.
Transport for Wales’s Community Rail Partnerships and Visit Wales have jointly funded the new initiative to promote the use of public transport to link key tourist attractions and offers visitors the chance to experience some of the most scenic rail networks in the world.
Visitors are able to plan their trip around Wales and choose from visitor attraction themes - such as fantastic food, awesome adventures, heroic heritage, glorious gardens and obtainable outdoors - by using the website: Cledrau Cymru / Wales on Rails.
Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “This is an excellent partnership which encourages safe, sustainable, and scenic adventures around Wales and showcases the wealth of experiences that are accessible by public transport. This new initiative makes it easier for people to plan their trips – while also using sustainable modes of transport.”
Read more on: ‘Wales on Rails’ - New Sustainable Tourism Project Launched (tfw.wales).
Welsh Government consultations:
All Welsh Government consultations can be viewed on Consultations | GOV.WALES (select open for current ones). Consultation provides you with the opportunity to have your say on new developments from the Welsh Government. To receive a newsletter on consultations register on: Sign up for email newsletters | GOV.WALES.
REMINDER: Second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates – Consultation closes 28 March 2022
Views are sought on proposed local variation to land transaction tax (LTT) rates for second homes, short term holiday lets and potentially other additional residential properties. Consultation ends: 28 March 2022. Further details are available on: Second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates | GOV.WALES.
Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022
Welsh Government is seeking views on a draft Order. The Order alters the treatment of self-catering accommodation for local taxation purposes. Consultation ends: 12 April 2022. Further details are available on: Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022 | GOV.WALES.
National Eisteddfod 2022
The National Eisteddfod, Wales’ largest cultural festival, will take place Tregaron, Ceredigion from 30 July to 6 August 2022.
Traditionally a competition-based festival, which attracts over 6,000 competitors each year, the Maes (site) itself has grown and developed into a vibrant festival with hundreds of events and activities for the whole family.
The festival attracts some 150,000 visitors each year. Details and deadlines for getting involved and taking this opportunity to promote your business to a largely Welsh-speaking audience, can be found on National Eisteddfod 2022 | Business Wales (gov.wales).
The law has changed: Physically punishing children becomes illegal in Wales
From 21 March 2022 physically punishing children has been made illegal in Wales, as Welsh Government continues to put children’s rights at the heart of its policies.
Under the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 all types of physical punishment, such as smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, are illegal. The new law applies to everybody in Wales, including visitors, from 21 March 2022.
Read the announcement in full on: Physically punishing children becomes illegal in Wales | GOV.WALES.
Resources are available on: Parenting. Give it time. | GOV.WALES.
£22 million Welsh Government funding to support Theatr Clwyd redevelopment
The Welsh Government recently confirmed up to £22 million in additional capital funding to support the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd.
Investment in the iconic theatre in Flintshire is a key commitment within the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government.
Theatr Clwyd is the biggest producing theatre in Wales, known for world class theatre productions and a significant social, cultural and economic impact in north-east Wales.
Find out more on Gov.Wales.
NCSC advises organisations to act following Russia’s attack on Ukraine
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is advising organisations to take the opportunity to strengthen cyber resilience with the cyber threat heightened. That might mean technical measures, but can also mean increased vigilance, making sure systems are patched and up to date, and reminding staff of good practice around email and phishing attacks.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Useful COVID-19 information
As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance. This continues to be updated so please check back regularly for the latest information.
Stay up to date with tourism industry news
Take a look at our latest Visit Wales industry newsletters and bulletins: Tourism Newsletter/Bulletin | Business Wales (gov.wales)
These include the latest tourism industry news from Wales and information for the industry on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Business Wales is providing businesses with tailored support and advice about dealing with coronavirus, from financial and supply chain planning to advice on staffing issues. We would advise Tourism businesses and stakeholders in Wales wanting specific guidance to visit the Business Wales website or call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000, and to regularly visit the Public Health Wales website for up-to-date public health information for you, your staff and your visitors.
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