Tourism Industry Update
Update: Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails; Upskilling your employees with the Flexible Skills Programme; The Experience Makers campaign; Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2023 – applications now open; Have Your Say on Hospitality and Catering qualifications in Wales; Event Wales funded events 2023; Written Statement: Consultation on non-domestic rates improvement relief in Wales; Cyngor Gwynedd encouraging people to enjoy the coast safely; Value of Tourism – Gwynedd STEAM Survey 2022; Carmarthenshire Ambassador Scheme; National Park Protector Awards 2023; Digital Toolkit For Business; Food Standards Agency launches online hub for food businesses; Reminder: Electronic Travel Authorisation.
Update: Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails.
Inviting visitors and the people of Wales to be a trail taker and curate their own epic trails in Wales, the next phase of our “Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails” campaign goes live this week on TV and video on demand across the UK and in-Wales, supported by an integrated digital campaign on all major platforms.
We’ve loved seeing so many partners and businesses using the Llwybrau logo and sharing content on social – thank you and please continue to do so. Our "Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails" Audience Insights 2023 is now available: Be sure to take a look.
Here are three easy ways you and your business can be involved in the campaign into summer:
- Make sure you are graded and/or accredited – once graded, every accommodation, activity provider and attraction can have its product listed on visitwales.com. If you’re already graded make sure your product page is up-to-date, includes new and refreshed images, videos and everything a potential visitor needs to know about your business.
- Keep in touch with us. We’re in constant contact with journalists, magazine editors and media; if you have any special offers or special events taking place let us know by emailing productnews@gov.wales and we’ll share with our media contacts. Please also tell us if you offer something different or new that would appeal to visitors, which we could use as a hook for positive PR stories for Wales.
- Read our "Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails" industry guide for tips and ideas of how to get on board with the Trails theme. You can download the logo for use on your own marketing materials and we also have lots of high-quality images for use – free of charge for businesses who are promoting Wales. These are available on our “Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails toolkit”. Be sure to also tag your social posts #Llwybrau #WalesByTrails so that we can help share your content.
Upskilling your employees with the Flexible Skills Programme (FSP)
Funding is available to support employees of Wales-based tourism and hospitality businesses to attend training courses that are relevant to the sector. This can include face-to-face, or online training.
To find out what training can be supported and how to apply go to Flexible Skills Programme | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales).
Approval must be confirmed before the training commences.
The Experience Makers campaign
Work is continuing in 2023/24 on the #TheExperienceMakers campaign to raise awareness of meaningful career opportunities in tourism and hospitality. Three new case studies and films have been developed with businesses; Zip World, The Trewythen Hotel and Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms and these can be viewed, along with the other case studies on Work in hospitality and tourism | Working Wales (gov.wales).
More social media activity will take place using clips from the films and we are working with Instagram influencers to highlight the great variety of careers available across the sector for people of all ages and skills. We are also continuing to share best practice in recruitment and retention to help businesses to attract and retain staff.
The recruitment toolkit and other assets to support businesses with recruiting staff are available on Assets: EMCP | Visit Wales.
Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2023 – applications now open
Apprenticeship Awards Cymru rewards individuals, learning providers, and employers who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Employability and Apprenticeship Programmes across Wales.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund. The closing date to apply is 16 June 2023.
For further details visit: Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2023 | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Have Your Say on Hospitality and Catering qualifications in Wales
Qualifications Wales (QW) review qualifications in Wales to make sure that they meet the needs of learners, to prepare them to succeed in an ever-changing world.
After recently reviewing qualifications within the Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Catering sectors they found that the current post-16 Hospitality and Catering qualifications are not fully meeting the needs of learners or the industry. This sector generates billions for the economy and employs thousands of people in Wales.
QW need to make some changes to qualifications to make sure they meet the changing needs of learners and businesses in Wales so have launched a consultation on Hospitality and Catering qualifications in Wales to gather feedback on their proposals for new qualifications.
The consultation will close at midnight on 2 June 2023.
For more details visit Have Your Say on Hospitality and Catering qualifications in Wales | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Event Wales funded events 2023:
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Devauden Festival, Monmouthshire, 26-28 May - A family friendly, live-music event offering a range of musical genres across 4 four stages, with local food and drink offerings. The Devauden Festival is part of the wider strategy of the charity to give local people access to arts, cultural, sporting and community activities.
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Big Retreat, Pembrokeshire, 1-4 June - The Big Retreat Festival aims to be a world leading event that seeks to set the highest standards of innovation, inclusivity, creativity, sustainability, celebrating everything outdoors and wellbeing. The festival experience includes Welsh culture in all its forms, including music, drama, circus, cinema, poetry and all the creative forms of art and design.
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Gottwood Festival, Anglesey, 8-11 June - Gottwood is a critically acclaimed independent, boutique electronic music festival. The line up of artists will be a balance of big-hitters with talented up-and-comers.
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Out & Wild, Pembrokeshire, 9-11 June - Out & Wild takes place during Pride Month. The Festival supports sections of the community that often feel excluded. The focus will be on reconnecting with yourself and others, through shared experiences. There will be immersive activities from sport and fitness to yoga and meditation, food and drink workshops, live music and comedy.
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Long Course Weekend, Pembrokeshire, 30 June - 2 July - the annual Long Course Weekend is one of the most difficult, but most rewarding, events in Wales. This unique event lasts three epic days, with athletes competing across three disciplines.
Written Statement: Consultation on non-domestic rates improvement relief in Wales
On 16 May 2023, Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government launched a consultation on proposals for a non-domestic rates (NDR) improvement relief. Read the statement in full on Gov.Wales.
The Welsh Government is pursuing a range of reforms during the current Senedd term which will make essential and positive changes to NDR in Wales.
The consultation is available at: Improvement rates relief. Consultation period: 16/05/23 - 08/08/23
Cyngor Gwynedd encouraging people to enjoy the coast safely
Cyngor Gwynedd has been encouraging everyone taking the opportunity to enjoy Gwynedd’s beaches and coast, to do so safely. Find out more on Encouraging people to enjoy the Gwynedd coast safely over the holiday period (llyw.cymru).
Businesses can also help save lives by championing key safety messages. Adventure Smart has created a toolkit containing a suite of resources and ideas for businesses to encourage people to enjoy our coast and countryside safely.
If you are a business near the coast, you could also help save lives by promoting some key water messages by becoming an RNLI local ambassador.
Value of Tourism – Gwynedd STEAM Survey 2022
Accommodation and attractions businesses are being asked to complete the Gwynedd STEAM Survey 2022. The survey aims to get an accurate and complete picture of the number of visitors and the value of tourism to Gwynedd in 2022. The results help decide how much funding Gwynedd receives towards the cost to public services. Please take part by going to: Gwynedd STEAM Survey 2022 (llyw.cymru)
The questionnaire will be open until 30 June 2023.
Carmarthenshire Ambassador Scheme
To help you play your part in encouraging visitors to stay and spend in the local economy, Carmarthenshire County Council has developed the Tourism Ambassador Scheme.
The scheme will increase your knowledge of the large and diverse county, providing modules on a variety of key topics including your specific town.
Find out more on the benefits and how to take join by visiting Carmarthenshire Tourism Ambassador (gov.wales.)
National Park Protector Awards 2023
Nominations are now open for the National Park Protector 2023!
National Park Protectors are individuals and groups who go above and beyond in and for National Parks. From large-scale projects that help nature recover to grass-roots groups improving community access to National Parks and volunteers helping people to visit responsibly. Tens of thousands of National Park Protectors work day-in, day-out on this never-ending task. The annual National Park Protector Awards is the chance to recognise and reward these efforts.
Deadline for nominations is 11.59 pm on 4 June 2023.
For further details visit National Park Protector Awards 2023 | Business Wales (gov.wales).
Digital Toolkit For Business
Running a business is easier when you have the right tools and systems in place. Superfast Business Wales have a brand-new Digital Toolkit for Businesses that will help you find the latest software available and choose what’s right for your business.
Food Standards Agency launches online hub for food businesses
A new online hub launched by the Food Standards Agency brings together guidance on how to set up a food business, how to achieve a good food hygiene rating and manage allergens to keep customers safe. For more details visit: Guidance for food businesses | Food Standards Agency
Reminder: Electronic Travel Authorisation
A United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a British entry permit document that will soon be available online. It will allow travellers from eligible nations to visit Great Britain for a number of different purposes without acquiring a visa. The UK ETA will be available in the next few years. From this point, all foreign visitors, including those from visa-exempt countries, will need permission to enter the UK.
Information and guidance about the scheme can be found on Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and a stakeholder partner communications toolkit is available.
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).
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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