Tourism Industry Update
BULLETIN CONTENTS: British Tourism & Travel Show: 20-21 March 2024 - NEC, Birmingham; Visit Wales industry roadshows 2023 - content now available and TXGB update!; Latest Domestic Day Trips and Domestic Sentiment Tracker reports published; Economic Summit: four new priorities for the Welsh Economy; REMINDER - Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar; Farewell, diolch, pob lwc: Rob Holt OBE, Director of Event Wales retires; Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill; Flexible Skills Programme for Tourism and Hospitality businesses; Become a Wales Ambassador; Wales Coast Path business toolkit; Another year of high-quality bathing water standards for Wales; Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Strategic Plan 2035; Rambler Cymru collaboration opportunities; Have a WILD winter with The Wildlife Trusts!; REMINDER - Electronic Travel Authorisation; Wales Slate Landscape – Business & Organisation Survey; Business Wales news updates
British Tourism & Travel Show: 20-21 March 2024 - NEC, Birmingham
The British Tourism & Travel Show (BTTS) provides a great opportunity to promote your tourism business at the leading domestic business to business (B2B) event for the Travel Trade market. Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, this event is expected to attract 3,000 travel trade buyers.
Visit Wales has secured space for up to 16 pods and has negotiated a reduced rate with the organisers as follows:
- £1,600 + VAT, total cost for partner pod
- £800 + VAT (each), option for up to 2 partners only to share and split costs
Find out more information on Travel Trade Events | Business Wales (gov.wales). If you are interested in attending, please email Lloyd Jones or call on 01733 889684.
Visit Wales industry roadshows 2023 - content now available and TXGB update!
Thank you to all who attended our recent series of roadshows where we shared a variety of information, including latest investment projects, marketing plans and research findings. We also heard from each Regional Tourism Forum Chair and various inspirational industry guest speakers.
Having the opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders at these face-to-face events is a key part of our work and we always value your feedback.
The presentations, films and other useful information shared at the roadshows are now available to view on Visit Wales Industry Roadshows - autumn 2023 | Business Wales (gov.wales).
Also, if you registered to attend the Tourism Exchange Great Britain (TXGB) session at one of the roadshows, you will soon receive a follow up email.
If you were unable to attend on the day and are interested in finding out more about TXGB and how it could benefit your business, we are planning to run a virtual session with the team where you can find out more.
Please register your interest in the virtual session and we will be in touch with further details. In the meantime, please download the presentation that was shown during the roadshow session.
Latest Domestic Day Trips and Domestic Sentiment Tracker reports published
Estimates for domestic day trips to Wales from July to September 2023 have been published. This report provides estimates for the volume and value of domestic tourism to Wales and Great Britain, as well as information on the characteristics of these trips, and trends in trip-taking across 2022 and 2023. See the full report on Domestic GB Tourism Statistics (day trips in Wales): July to September 2023 | GOV.WALES.
The November report for the Domestic Sentiment Tracker has been published on the VisitBritain website. VisitBritain has also published a further Domestic Sentiment Tracker report, focused on overnight trips taken in the UK during summer 2023. Both the November Domestic Sentiment Tracker report and ‘How was summer 2023’ are available on the VisitBritain website.
Economic Summit: four new priorities for the Welsh Economy
Held on 30 November, the Welsh Government Economic Summit brought together social partners to discuss how to make a stronger, fairer and greener Welsh economy.
At the summit , the Economy Minister Vaughan Gething explained the four new priorities for the Welsh economy stating “Moving forward we need ambition, honesty and stability to focus upon our economic priorities”.
A diverse range of Welsh businesses are getting behind the priorities for an economy built on ambition and values. With the tourism industry being a huge part of the Welsh economy, delegates also heard from the Deputy Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden, Bike Park Wales and Rock UK on how the visitor economy is shaping our local communities.
Find out more on the Priorities for a Stronger Economy.
REMINDER - Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar
The Welsh Government is seeking views on proposals to amend school term dates, so that terms are more equal in length, with more evenly distributed breaks, for maintained schools in Wales. This includes a 2-week half term autumn break.
The consultation was launched on 21 November and expires on 12 February 2024. It will also explore additional changes that could be taken forward in the future, but not from 2025. These changes include the option of moving a second week from the summer break and adding it to the Whitsun break.
Please see the full Welsh Government press release on Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar | GOV.WALES and our tourism industry bulletin on Welsh Government wants your views on the school calendar (govdelivery.com).
We would very much like to encourage you to participate in the consultation.
Additional updates regarding school year reform and links can be found on Reform of the school year | GOV.WALES.
 Farewell, diolch, pob lwc: Rob Holt OBE, Director of Event Wales retires
As many of you will be aware, we have recently said a fond farewell, diolch and pob lwc to one of our senior team members.
Rob Holt OBE, Director of Event Wales retired on 31 October after a long and rewarding career spanning a wide variety of roles during his 38 years in civil service. Rob was integral to working closely with the visitor economy industry, strongly believing throughout his career that building personal contacts and relationships prove key to getting the job done.
We take this opportunity to again thank Rob for his contribution to government and industry and wish him all the very best in retirement.
Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill
The Welsh Government has introduced the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill. The Bill forms part of our work to reform non-domestic rates (business rates) and Council Tax.
Details can be found on Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill | GOV.WALES.
Follow the Bill’s progress through scrutiny by the Senedd. If passed it will become law in summer 2024.
Flexible Skills Programme for Tourism and Hospitality businesses
Funding is still 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. Training must be completed by the end of March 2024.
Applications are also invited for a financial contribution to help businesses to address Net Zero challenges.
To find out more about the training that may be supported under both programmes go to Flexible Skills Programme | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales).
Become a Wales Ambassador
The Wales Ambassador Scheme offers a set of free online courses that will introduce you to different areas and attractions in Wales. It’s a great way to learn more about the unique characteristics of each place, helping you to increase and share your knowledge of Wales to help others to get the most out of their visit and enhance the visitor experience.
A series of online modules on a variety of themes is offered. This includes Welsh language, communities, culture, history, landscapes, sustainable tourism, cycling and walking.
Find out more about the scheme and how to become a Wales Ambassador on Ambassador Wales – Wales Ambassador Scheme.
Wales Coast Path business toolkit
The Wales Coast Path business toolkit is a free online resource for all coastal businesses designed to give access to a wide range of material and information about the path. There are useful hints and tips on how to make the most out of the path and interesting facts and figures that businesses can use for their marketing needs. Businesses can access free downloadable professional photography of the Welsh coastline and path to help promote their businesses.
View the business toolkits on Wales Coast Path / Business Toolkit. For queries, contact wcp@cyfothnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.
Another year of high-quality bathing water standards for Wales
Wales again secured high-quality results in 2023 with 98% of designated bathing waters meeting our stringent environmental standards.
80 of our 109 bathing waters achieved the highest classification of ‘excellent’.
An ‘excellent’ classification is one of the essential criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag accreditation, one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels.
You can read the full press release at Another year of high-quality bathing water standards for Wales | GOV.WALES.
Economy Strategic Plan 2035
Cyngor Gwynedd and Eryri National Park Authority have developed the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Strategic Plan 2035 with the vision of creating a visitor economy for the benefit and well-being of the people, environment, language and culture of Gwynedd and Eryri.
Further information about the plan can be found on Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy 2035 and you can view a recording of the launch event - which took place in Autumn - on Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy 2035: launch event.
Rambler Cymru collaboration opportunities
Working in partnership to put walking at the heart of communities is at the core of Rambler Cymru’s work here in Wales.
For inspiration take a look at their Paths and Parternships film to see how collaborative work has helped improve trails in Wales by improving paths, access and inclusion: If you have any ideas for partnership opportunities Rambler Cymru would love to hear from you on RamblersCymru@ramblers.org.uk.
Have a WILD winter with The Wildlife Trusts!
Get involved in the festive nature challenge, 12 Days Wild! The Wildlife Trusts is encouraging everyone to do one wild thing a day from 25 December to 5 January. From following a winter walk trail, spotting some wonderful Welsh wildlife, taking in the calm of stargazing, recycling a Christmas tree or feeding the birds in your garden, 12 Days Wild is a great opportunity to connect with nature.
Take part and help engage others: Find out more and sign up on 12 Days Wild - Wildlife Trusts | The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (welshwildlife.org).
REMINDER - Electronic Travel Authorisation
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It gives you permission to travel to the UK, and it is electronically linked to your passport.
Tailored events are being held which will provide an overview of ETA with emphasis on specific topics unique to regional organisations and the travelling public. Find out more on Electronic Travel Authorisation | Business Wales (gov.wales).
Wales Slate Landscape – Business & Organisation Survey
Llechi Cymru | Wales Slate is seeking to hear from businesses and learn about the impact of the World Heritage Site designation and your views on future opportunities, activities and projects. Have your say by completing the short Survey of Businesses and the WHS.
As we look towards next year, we would like to wish everyone celebrating, a very happy Christmas – Nadolig Llawen - and best wishes for 2024!
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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