Tourism Industry Update
Now open: areas of Caernarfon Castle that have not been accessed for centuries — thanks to £5m investment; Wales Tourism Week 2023 starts 15 May – Get involved; Clash at the Castle economic impact revealed; Visitor numbers to Cadw sites on track to full recovery post-Covid; First Minister visits Milford Haven ahead of summer tourist season; Do you offer British Sign Language services?; Shortage Occupation List review: call for evidence 2023; Launch of Coetiroedd Bach (Tiny Forests) grant; 2023 Senior Open Championships at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club: 27–30 July; National Walking Month – May; Wales Coast Path and National Trails in Wales new business newsletter; From rail to trail - Transport for Wales; Gwynedd Ambassador Scheme – UNESCO World Heritage Sites module; Pub is the Hub Community Services Fund; Brecon Beacons National Park reclaims its Welsh name; Helping visitors to North Wales use the right health service; Visit Britain Coronation toolkit
Now open: areas of Caernarfon Castle that have not been accessed for centuries — thanks to £5m investment.
Cadw has today announced the completion of a 3-year conservation and development project at Caernarfon Castle’s principal gatehouse - providing access to areas of the castle not seen close-up for centuries.
This major £5 million investment has seen a rooftop deck installation and new flooring in the gatehouse towers. It also includes the installation of a lift that allows access for all to the upper levels, which we believe is a first for any similar UK World Heritage site. The project will ensure that the castle is welcoming and accessible and continues to make a valuable contribution to the economy of the surrounding area. A new catering offer, educational and retail spaces, and accessible visitor facilities have also been included in the works, including a Changing Places facility. The scheme is supported by the Welsh Government and by £1.04 million from the European Regional Development Fund through the Tourism Attractor Destination Programme, that is managed by Visit Wales.
Central to the enhancement project is new artistic interpretation, focusing on the theme: ‘the hands that built the Castle’. This modern approach to interpretation aims to present the story of the Castle from a different perspective, encouraging visitors to re-think how they perceive the site’s history. The delivery of the project, has been supported by Buttress Architects and Grosvenor Construction, who have re-installed the floor levels of the gatehouse towers; built new steps from the first floor to the new rooftop deck; and installed a lightweight glazed glass lift to provide step-free access to the rooftop.
Read the announcement in full: Now open: areas of Caernarfon Castle that have not been accessed for centuries, thanks to £5 million investment | GOV.WALES
Wales Tourism Week 2023 starts 15 May – Get involved
Wales Tourism Week is an opportunity for tourism sites across Wales to raise awareness of the sector and showcase the quality of the tourism offer to both UK domestic and international tourists.
This year the theme is Sustainable Solutions; Practices and Enterprise. It will also continue to support the Tourism and Hospitality skills and recruitment campaign #theexperiencemakers - helping shine a spotlight on careers and job opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales. The campaign is delivered in partnership with Working Wales Work in hospitality and tourism | Working Wales (gov.wales).
Find out more about Wales Tourism Week, learn about the resources available to you, and how to register your event on Wales Tourism Week - Wales Tourism Alliance (wta.org.uk).
Be sure to join in on social media: Look out for posts using #theexperiencemakers and #walestourismweek and share them across your platforms – let’s get more people to come and work in tourism and hospitality.
Clash at the Castle economic impact revealed
WWE’s “Clash at the Castle” event in Cardiff in 2022 delivered a massive 10:1 return on investment by channelling £21.8 million back into the Welsh economy, a new report shows.
Wales hosted the UK’s first major WWE stadium event in 30 years in September 2022. The event, which wowed visitors to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, had many highlights, including a specially designed set that echoed the city’s unique castle.
The event attracted a global audience of millions, taking Wales directly into the homes of WWE fans in all corners of the globe.
The independently generated Economic Impact Study sought the views of over 3,000 respondents. The study found:
- 62,296 attendees to the Principality Stadium
- 75.3% of spectators came from outside Wales
- 57% of non-locals indicated the event experience made them want to explore other parts of Wales. Of those that said they wanted to return, they said their experience of the event was the deciding factor
- the event attracted a diverse audience, with nearly a quarter of spectators being female, and many of the spectators attending as family groups.
You can read the full press release at Gov.Wales.
Visitor numbers to Cadw’s staffed sites have made an impressive recovery in the financial year 2022/23, reaching to 92% of pre-Covid levels with some sites performing better on pre-Covid levels.
- Over 1.1 million visits were made to 23 staffed Cadw sites between April 2022 and March 2023.
- Visitor numbers to Cadw’s staffed sites have recovered to 92% of pre-Covid levels.
- An estimated well over 1 million visits were also made to unstaffed Cadw sites.
- Income, including from visits to Cadw sites, have recovered past pre-Covid levels to £9.6 million for the year ending March 2023
Find out more at: Visitor numbers to Cadw sites on track to full recovery post-Covid | GOV.WALES
First Minister visits Milford Haven ahead of summer tourist season
On 20 April, the First Minister Mark Drakeford visited Milford Haven as Wales gears up for another busy summer tourist season.
The First Minister visited Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront to hear about the preparation work that is underway for the summer. Celebrating its first anniversary in April, the 100 bedroom hotel is a venture between Celtic Collection and the Port of Milford Haven that employs over 60 people.
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales
Do you offer British Sign Language services?
Accessibility is an integral part of the content featured on the Visit Wales website. There are a number of articles highlighting accessible accommodation, attractions and activities.
A recently published article highlights attractions in Wales which include British Sign Language (BSL) options for visitors with hearing impairments. If you offer BSL services and would like to be added to the article, please let us know by emailing content.visitwales@gov.wales.
Ensuring the accessibility features of your product are included in your product listing will help users ensure their visit meets their needs.
Shortage Occupation List review: call for evidence 2023
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises the UK government (UKG) on migration issues and provides independent and evidence-based advice to the UKG and devolved governments.
The Shortage occupation List (SOL) is a list of skilled worker jobs that the UK government deem to be in short supply. For jobs on the SOL, the immigration rules for work visas are relaxed, making it easier for overseas workers with the relevant skills to come to the UK.
The MAC wants to know the views of stakeholders on the roles that are being filled by migrant workers, and needs organisations and businesses to provide evidence for jobs they think should be added to the SOL.
For more information on how Tourism and Hospitality organisations can feed evidence into the MAC please go to – Shortage Occupation List review: call for evidence 2023 | GOV.WALES
Launch of Coetiroedd Bach (Tiny Forests) grant
The Welsh Government has opened applications for the Coetiroedd Bach Grant.
This grant will create 100 ‘Tiny Forests’ between April 2023 and the end of March 2025. With five Tiny Forests created as a pilot in 2020, this new scheme with £2.62 million funding opened on 3 April.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund are delivering the scheme on behalf of the Welsh Government.
This scheme will provide financial support for people to create tiny forests. These woodlands must have the potential to be part of the National Forest for Wales network in the future. This means woodlands that:
- are well-managed
- are accessible to people
- give local communities the opportunity to get involved in woodlands and nature
Further details are available at: National Forest for Wales | GOV.WALES
More information on the Tiny Forest approach can be found at Tiny Forest (earthwatch.org.uk)
2023 Senior Open Championships at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club: 27–30 July
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 from 27–30 July this year.
Having claimed the prestigious Championship at Gleneagles last year and becoming just the fourth player to win both The Open and The Senior Open, Northern Irishman Darren Clarke will launch the defence of his first Senior Major Championship when he tees it up at Porthcawl. Ahead of the main event, players from across the world will seek to qualify at some of Wales’ other leading courses - Pyle and Kenfig, Southerndown and Machynys – in order to join some of the biggest names in golf. These include the likes of Bernhard Langer, who will be looking to follow up his wins in 2014 and 2017 and leading Welsh players such as Ian Woosnam, Bradley Dredge, Phil Price and Stephen Dodd who won the title at Sunningdale in 2021
Find out more on 2023 Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club | VisitWales and get involved in the excitement; keep up to date with preparations and share social by following @VisitWalesBiz, @Royal_Porthcawl and @TheOpen.
National Walking Month – May
May is National Walking Month. Get involved by inspiring your visitors to experience the wonder of Wales by trails; join in on social media and encourage them to share their walks tagging #WalesByTrails #Llwybrau. Take a look at our selection of recommended routes to discover and explore on Llwybrau. Wales by Trails | Visit Wales. You can also find more walking ideas and useful route navigation guidance at:
Wales Coast Path and National Trails in Wales new business newsletter
A new Wales Coast Path and National Trails in Wales newsletter has been produced by Natural Resources Wales to enable all businesses along the path and trails to make the most of marketing opportunities offered by the Wales Coast Path and the National Trails in Wales – Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndŵr’s Way. You can view the first edition here.
You’ll find free resources to help you promote your business along the paths like access to professional images for marketing materials, latest news on campaigns to promote your business even further, and links to lots of walking itineraries to share with your customers.
You can subscribe to future business newsletters at: Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales (govdelivery.com)
From rail to trail - Transport for Wales
Many stations act as gateways to renowned trails and walking routes, including Offa’s Dyke and the Wales Coast Path. Encourage your visitors to check out walking trails highlighted by Transport for Wales: Let the train take some of the strain.
Gwynedd Ambassador Scheme – UNESCO World Heritage Sites module
The Gwynedd Ambassador Scheme gives workers who come into regular contact with visitors the opportunity to learn about, and understand, Gwynedd’s heritage, culture and environment thus enhancing customer service and experience. To coincide with World Heritage Day on 18 April 2023 new modules, including one about UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have been launched. For more information, and to become a Gwynedd Ambassador, go to: Gwynedd Ambassador Course – Ambassador Wales
Pub is the Hub Community Services Fund
Grants of up to £3,000 are available from the Pub is the Hub’s Community Services Fund to enable rural pub owners, licensees, and local communities to work together to help support the needs of local communities by using pubs to offer a new service or replace a service that has already been lost. More information can be found at: Community Services Fund - Pub is The Hub
Brecon Beacons National Park reclaims its Welsh name
As of 17 April 2023, Brecon Beacons National Park will be known as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park or informally ‘the Bannau’. The change is part of the implementation of a new management plan designed to address the climate and biodiversity emergency and directly addresses problems the Park faces.
For further details visit: Brecon Beacons National Park Reclaims Its Welsh Name | Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
Read all about the Park’s new Management Plan and identity here: https://future.bannau.wales/
Helping visitors to North Wales use the right health service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has created a toolkit of communications resources for accommodation providers and tourism businesses to help direct visitors who fall ill or have an accident to the right local health service.
Please use the materials in the toolkit, which includes a link to a dedicated page for visitors on the Betsi Cadwaladr website.
Visit Britain Coronation toolkit
Visit Britain has developed a toolkit for tourism businesses to help them showcase their Coronation themed offerings to both domestic and international visitors. You can find more details on the Visit Britain website: Show your unique event or offer for 2023 with the GREAT and Coronation Emblem | VisitBritain
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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