Tourism Industry Update
BULLETIN CONTENTS: North Wales tourism businesses ready for Easter; Welsh Government supporting growth and development of home-grown events; Save the date: Travel Trade training webinar – Reaching new audiences, 4 May 2022; Non-domestic rates stakeholder update: April 2022; Wales Coast Explorer app – Now available; Economy Minister announces £4.5 million funding for Flexible Skills Programme; Wales tourism accommodation occupancy survey: October to December 2021; Marketing Masterclass, 10am – 1pm, Friday 22 April; One network, one timetable, one ticket: planning buses as a public service for Wales
North Wales tourism businesses ready for Easter
As tourism businesses across north Wales are gearing up for the Easter break, Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths visited Adventure Parc Snowdonia to hear about their preparations.
Latest developments at the Parc include a Hilton Hotel and Spa, which is now nearly a year old, and the indoor adventure space which provides an exciting experience in all weathers. Both developments have received support from the Welsh Government.
With the start of the surfing season just beginning and visitors expected over the Easter break and summer, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is looking forward to a busy year.
The Minister said:
“It has been a very challenging two years for the tourism industry. Two years ago the Easter break was very different, but now businesses across the country are ready to welcome visitors.
“Visit Wales have been running campaigns during the winter to keep Wales in the minds of potential visitors, as people start to think of booking holidays once again.
“It’s great to see the developments here at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, which is a key player in enhancing North Wales’ reputation as a top adventure tourism destination. With high quality accommodation and activities suitable for all, the attraction has made a significant contribution to the tourism offer here.
“It also provides excellent skills and training opportunities for the local area. To have the opportunity to train and work in such a development in rural Wales is a tremendous experience.
“I wish Adventure Parc Snowdonia a very successful season.”
Reminder: You can also read about how Pembrokeshire tourism businesses are gearing up for Easter and about the visit by Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething to businesses in Pembrokeshire on: Pembrokeshire tourism businesses gear up for Easter | GOV.WALES.
Welsh Government supporting growth and development of home-grown events
Arts and cultural events across Wales are looking forward to welcoming back visitors in person over the coming months as organisers switch back to live audience performances.
Many of these home-grown events have had funding support from the Welsh Government through Event Wales.
According to latest figures from 2019, events supported through Event Wales attracted 200,000 visitors to Wales which generated £33.35m in direct economic impact/net additional spend into Wales and supported more than 770 jobs supported in the wider tourism economy
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said:
“Wales’ home-grown events enrich the arts and cultural offer in our communities, provide a platform for emerging Welsh talent and often provide the basis for an event that goes onto gain international recognition for Wales. Our widespread support for cultural events, alongside our support of sporting and business events, helps us sustain a balanced portfolio of events across Wales.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors back to indoor and outdoor events across Wales and to see them visiting other attractions and regions as part of their stay. We recognise that it has been a hugely difficult period for the events sector and that there are still major challenges to overcome. However, with support such as the Cultural Recovery Fund from the Welsh Government which has provided more than £108m of financial support to the cultural, creative, events and sport sectors, the sector can hopefully begin to plan ahead with more optimism.”
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
Save the date: Travel Trade training webinar – Reaching new audiences, 4 May 2022
The Travel Trade is an important part of the tourism industry and can give businesses a key opportunity for growth by opening up to new markets.
Visit Wales has teamed up with Mike Newman of b2me Tourism Marketing Ltd to deliver a free training webinar on 4 May, to highlight the opportunities in working with the Travel Trade and highlight new trends that are emerging in the post COVID environment.
This will be an opportunity for businesses who would like to know more about the Travel Trade, interested in starting in this sector or a refresher for those more familiar with working with the Travel Trade, including:
- Accommodation including B&Bs who can offer fully independent traveller rates through to large hotels
- Attractions
- Activity / sightseeing / tour operators
- Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) and Local Authorities
- Golf clubs
Further details will be issued shortly.
Non-domestic rates stakeholder update: April 2022
A stakeholder update has been provided bringing together the latest information from the Welsh Government on the Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) system in Wales.
This can be found on: Non-domestic rates stakeholder update: April 2022 | Business Wales (gov.wales).
Wales Coast Explorer app – Now available
The Wales Coast Explorer | Crwydro Arfordir Cymru app is a FREE app for exploring the whole Welsh coastline – from estuary to ocean, beach to clifftop – and builds on the Pembrokeshire Marine Code App, helping people to understand how to avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging habitats, while still enjoying the sights Wales has to offer.
It is the result of a collaboration between Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and the network of managers who look after Wales’ special Marine Protected Areas, and other partners.
The app can be used to
- Explore: Discover ancient sites and learn how to enjoy Welsh coasts.
- Identify: Plants and animals and other wildlife!
- Record: Become a citizen scientist by sharing sightings.
Read more on Wales Coast Explorer | Crywdro Arfordir Cymru:… | Wild Seas Wales and get involved by letting your visitors know and downloading the app.
Economy Minister announces £4.5 million funding for Flexible Skills Programme
The Welsh Government is providing £4.5 million to develop the skills-base of businesses and create a Welsh workforce ready to capitalise on future economic opportunities, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced
The Flexible Skills Programme (FSP), which started in 2015, provides targeted skills interventions alongside existing programmes, or where Welsh Government support is required for a specific business project.
The programme operates on a co-investment basis which means employers have to match fund Welsh Government support; this will see a total of £9 million invested in the Welsh economy.
The programme is being funded for a further three years. It operates across Wales and is open to all employers across two streams: The Business Development stream and The Partnership Project stream – which includes the development of projects in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
Further details are also available on: Flexible Skills Programme | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales).
Wales tourism accommodation occupancy survey: October to December 2021
The latest Wales Tourism Accommodation Occupancy Survey results will be published on 12 April and findings show:
- Hotel room occupancy was up for October (75%), November (69%), and December (56%) compared to 2020.
- Across the self-catering sector, unit occupancy levels fared well during October at 74%, but November saw levels falling to 34%. December saw an upturn in unit occupancy with levels at 55% despite Omicron.
Data for Guesthouses, B&Bs, Static caravans, camping and touring pitches are also included in the report.
The report will be available on: Wales tourism accommodation occupancy surveys: October to December 2021 | GOV.WALES.
Marketing Masterclass, 10am - 1pm, Friday 22 April
This Marketing Masterclass will be delivered by specialist Business Wales advisers who will provide you with practical, easy to implement Marketing techniques. You will also gain the tools to understand who your clients are and how to market your product or service to grow your business.
You will also have an opportunity to hear from presenters including:
- Louise Wharton, Business Wales, discussing the opportunities and positive impact of marketing mentoring for you.
- Catherine Rowland, Business Wales, introducing the Welsh Government Green Growth and Equality Pledges, and their use as invaluable trust symbols.
To book your place, call 01267 233749 or email westwales@businesswales.org.uk.
For information on support with training and recruiting staff please visit our Skills and Recruitment pages.
One network, one timetable, one ticket: planning buses as a public service for Wales
The Welsh Government is seeking views on proposals for new bus legislation.
This white paper sets out proposals for public transport bus services to better plan and grow the bus network. This will ensure it meets public needs, maximise the value we get for our investment in bus services and break our reliance on private cars.
The consultation closes on 24 June 2022.
Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
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).
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.
For specific 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 to visit the Business Wales website or call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000. You should 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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