Tourism Industry Update
BULLETIN CONTENTS: Analysis of the statutory licensing scheme consultations now available on Gov.Wales; Three months to go: Deputy Minister says 20mph switch will save lives and build stronger communities; The National Lottery Days Out Campaign is back for summer 2023; Event Wales funded events 2023; Food and drink festivals and events fund announced; Ramblers Cymru Paths to Wellbeing project creates 145 walking routes; Wales Coast Path summer newsletter out now; National Forest for Wales branches out; Legends Meet Litter: Mabinogion Heroes Return to Address Litter Issues in Eryri; Val Hawkins, awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours list; Carbon footprint calculation for small businesses; Commit to cut business waste; Business Wales news updates.
Analysis of the statutory licensing scheme consultations now available on Gov.Wales
Earlier this year, the Welsh Government called for views on its consultation on a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales. This public consultation sought views on how a licensing scheme could operate on a practical level. This closed on 17 March with more than 1,500 responses.
To supplement the main consultation, three engagement sessions were held in May. Invited key stakeholders from across the tourism industry gave feedback on specific technical aspects of the proposed scheme. Those who attended represented a significant number and variety of tourism businesses and organisations in Wales.
The Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has issued a written statement which gives an update on the statutory licensing scheme and shares the full consultation analysis and a report of the supplementary consultation discussions.
We’d like to thank everyone who gave their feedback. We will reflect on the findings from these reports while continuing to collect views from both the sector and prospective visitors and communities as we develop the policy.
We will provide further updates later in the year to set out the proposals for the scheme.
The full written statement can be found here: Written Statement: Update on a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales (5 July 2023) | GOV.WALES
Three months to go: Deputy Minister says 20mph switch will save lives and build stronger communities
Reducing speed will not only save lives but will help build stronger, safer communities, Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters has said three months before the introduction of the default 20mph speed limit. Described as the ‘biggest step-change in community safety in a generation’, most streets in Wales that currently have a 30mph speed limit will switch to 20mph on Sunday 17 September.
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
The National Lottery Days Out Campaign is back for summer 2023
Visit Wales is working closely with VisitBritain on a new National Lottery Days Out campaign 2023. The new campaign that launched on 3 July 2023 will allow National Lottery ticket holders to receive a £25 voucher to spend on over 500 UK attractions, experiences and guided tours.
For further details visit: National Lottery Days Out Campaign - summer 2023 | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Event Wales funded events 2023:
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Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, 4-9 July - a unique annual event of world-class evening concerts and a diverse mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance competitions.
- Love Trails Festival, 6-9 July, Swansea - An annual music, running, adventure and wellbeing festival located near Weobley Castle on the Gower peninsula.
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Beyond the Border, 7-9 July, Carmarthenshire - The UK’s biggest storytelling festival is to be held in Dinefwr. The Festival turns 30 this year and will be celebrating the diverse communities of Wales in many languages.
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Para Sport Festival, 10-16 July, Swansea - an action-packed festival of multi-sport grass roots activity across Swansea as well as a series of 7 competitive para and disability sport events including triathlon, boccia, deaf football & wheelchair rugby.
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World Triathlon Para Series, 15 July, Swansea - the world's best paratriathletes alongside developing athletes and first-time participants in a festival of swim, bike, run. Over 100 elite paratriathletes from the UK and around the world will be competing for valuable qualification points for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
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Ironman 70.3, 16 July, Swansea - Athletes will take on a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim before cycling 56 miles (90km), ending with a 13.1 mile (21.1km) run.
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2023 Senior Open Championships, 27–30 July, Royal Porthcawl Golf Club - Sports fans can see some of the biggest names in golf at one of Europe’s top links courses as The Senior Open returns to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club for the first time in six years.
Food and drink festivals and events fund announced
A £300,000 fund to provide support for food and drink festivals and events across Wales opened for applications on 1 July. The small grant scheme, which will address the 10 key actions of the Welsh Government’s ‘Vision for the Food & Drink Industry’, will support festivals and events to add value to the industry in Wales and aims to improve visitor access to and awareness of Welsh food and drink. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 31 July 2023.
For further details visit: Food and Drink Festivals and Events Fund announced | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Ramblers Cymru Paths to Wellbeing project creates 145 walking routes
Over the last two years the Ramblers Cymru flagship project, Paths to Wellbeing, has been working in 18 communities across Wales to get people out walking and enjoying their local area on foot. They have created over 145 new walking routes across Wales, which are mostly family-friendly and include some areas that are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies (where possible).
This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
Check out any new routes near your business.
For more information go to: Paths to Wellbeing project creates 145 walking routes - Ramblers
And of course, don’t forget to check out other epic trails across Wales: Llwybrau - Wales by Trails | Visit Wales. Businesses in Wales can also find out more about Visit Wales’ latest thematic year at 2023: Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Wales Coast Path summer newsletter out now
View the latest Wales Coast Path newsletter: Wales Coast Path & National Trails: Business newsletter Summer 2023 (govdelivery.com)
This edition includes useful hints and tips to make your business more attractive to walkers.
You can subscribe to the Wales Coast Path newsletter here: Natural Resources Wales (under project, select "Wales Coast Path"). You can also follow Wales Coast Path on social media: Wales Coast Path | Facebook and @Wales Coast Path.
National Forest for Wales branches out
On 23 June 2023, First Minister Mark Drakeford launched the National Forest for Wales - Status Scheme during a visit to Pencoedtre Coetir Bach in Barry, a new tiny forest and the first non-Welsh Government woodland site to be given National Forest for Wales status. Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
The scheme will enable woodlands not owned by the Welsh Government to become part of the National Forest for Wales network. These could be small urban or community woodlands, private land or farms, large areas of land owned by local authorities, charities or timber-producing woodlands.
For information on the National Forest for Wales Status Scheme and how to apply visit: National Forest for Wales Status | GOV.WALES
Legends meet litter: Mabinogion heroes return to address litter issues in Eryri
The National Park Authority has launched an innovative and exciting communications campaign led by the 'Yr Wyddfa Plastic Free Project.'
With a mission to combat littering and promote sustainable practices, this groundbreaking initiative aims to raise awareness, inspire positive behaviour changes, and position Eryri as a leading environmentally conscious destination. Further details are available on: Legends Meet Litter: Mabinogion Heroes Return to Address Litter Issues in Eryri | Snowdonia National Park (gov.wales)
Are you a hospitality business trading in the Yr Wyddfa area?
If you would like to play a part in safeguarding its sustainable future and contributing towards the goal of making Yr Wyddfa the first plastic-free mountain in the world, visit: Plastic-free Businesses | Snowdonia National Park (gov.wales)
Val Hawkins, awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours list
Congratulations to Val Hawkins, chief executive of MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism), on being awarded an MBE in recognition of her service to tourism and the economy of Wales.
MWT Cymru, is an independent tourism organisation representing 600 tourism and hospitality member businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
Carbon footprint calculation for small businesses
Carbon footprint calculation is a vital first step in any business becoming part of the solution to the climate crisis, and also a sensible form of risk management for any future legislation changes, supply chain disruption and hikes in the price of carbon. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has published an useful guide to help business through the process, which can be found on the FSB website: How to calculate your carbon footprint as a small business | FSB, The Federation of Small Businesses
Commit to cut business waste
Keep Wales Tidy can help businesses manage their waste equipment in a safe, compliant and environmentally friendly way through the ICT and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) reuse and recycling scheme. For more information, go to: Commit to cutting your waste - Keep Wales Tidy - Caru Cymru
Business Wales news updates
Make sure you never miss the latest news and blogs from Business Wales - go to: News and Blogs | Business Wales (gov.wales). Some of the latest articles include:
Please subscribe to the Business Wales newsletter at Welsh Government (govdelivery.com) – once signed up, you can sign in and manage all your Welsh Government subscriptions in one place.
Stay up to date with tourism industry news
View previously published Visit Wales industry newsletters and bulletins: Tourism Newsletter/Bulletin | Business Wales (gov.wales).
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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