Tourism Industry Update
Minister for Social Partnership
A Written Statement has been made by First Minister, Vaughan Gething MS:
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Murphy as Minister for Social Partnership.
Sarah will take forward our ongoing work with our valued social partners as well as providing leadership for our creative, hospitality, tourism and retail sectors.
I warmly welcome Sarah to my talented and ambitious Cabinet team.
Welsh Government Future Proofing Fund – Open
Fund applications are now open and can be accessed via the eligibility checker.
The fund will provide eligible micro, small and medium businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors:
- A match-funded grant for capital funding between £5,000 - £10,000, no revenue costs will be eligible for funding
- The grant is to be used entirely during the financial year 2024 - 2025
- The grant is to be invested in measures to future proof the business.
The applications for the fund are open on a competitive call until 11:59pm on Thursday 6 June 2024 or until the total value of submitted applications exceeds the budget allocation.
For further details visit Future proofing fund | Business Wales (gov.wales)
First Minister kicks off summer tourist season at Saundersfoot Harbour
On his first visit to Pembrokeshire since being appointed, the First Minister, Vaughan Gething, stopped off at Saundersfoot Harbour to officially launch the High Ropes on the Schooner and visited the Coal Experience at the Welcome Centre before sampling some delicious local produce from a number of the food outlets on Ocean Square.
Redevelopment of the harbour has been supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Welsh Government with the aim of establishing Saundersfoot as an iconic marine coastal tourism destination.
Welcome Awards
Visit Wales’ Welcome Awards acknowledge those businesses who have provided added facilities, services and information to meet important specific visitor requirements.
In deciding which awards would best suit the consumer and provider, we have looked at current markets, trends and those particular areas of consumer needs which have become increasingly important in attracting visitors to Wales.
Full details about our various Welcome Awards are available at Star quality grading | Business Wales (gov.wales). You can apply for these Welcome Awards free of charge if you have been awarded a Graded, Quality Assured or Approved status with Visit Wales.
If you were awarded either/both Cyclist and Walkers Welcome Awards before 2022, please note that you will need to re-apply for these awards here Star quality grading | Business Wales (gov.wales).
Food and Drink Festivals and Events Fund announced
A fund to support food and drink festivals and events across Wales opened for applications on Wednesday 1 May 2024. The small grant scheme supports festivals and events to add value to the industry in Wales whilst improving visitor access to and awareness of Welsh food and drink.
For further details visit: Food and Drink Festivals and Events Fund announced | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Travel Trade
Visit Wales promotes Wales to domestic and international tour operators through B2B events and digital channels. Interest in Wales from operators is high and the VW Travel Trade team is keen to hear from accommodation (serviced especially), attractions and experiences who wish to work with the travel trade for both groups and FIT (independent travellers such as couples, friends and families). To find out more email us at traveltradewales@gov.wales
Wales Tourism Investment Fund (WTIF)
The Welsh Government, in partnership with the Development Bank of Wales, has a fund which brings together both commercial and grant funding into one combined package of financial support to provide capital investment for the sector. For more information on WTIF visit: Finance | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Two projects which have recently been completed are:-
Tenby Golf Club
Recognised as the oldest golf club in Wales, having been formally established in 1888, the golf course had built a strong reputation for being one of the best in the country. Looking to create a more sustainable and long-term business model for the club it was identified that revenue diversification was essential, in order to attract more customer and tourism visitors, especially given its location in Tenby. The expansion and upgrade project has paved the way for job creation and resulted in a new clubhouse facility, which now includes 4-star accommodation, restaurant, bar and function room.
The WTIF provided financial support towards the project, in the form of a £995,400 commercial loan, via the Development Bank of Wales, and a £248,850 grant from the Welsh Government.
|
Image © Neil Williams
Dolforwyn Hall Country House
The project was to convert, Dolforwyn Hall, a Grade 2 listed 7-bedroom 3-star B&B into a high quality 9-bedroom 4-star Country House with 60 cover restaurant and terrace garden. The expansion and upgrade project resulted in the creation of several jobs and achieved 4-star guest accommodation grade, restaurant, bar and function room.
The WTIF provided financial support towards the project, in the form of a £120,000 commercial loan, via the Development Bank of Wales, and a £30,000 grant from the Welsh Government.
|
Image © Dolforwyn Hall
National Walking Month 2024
May is Living Streets' national walking month! Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community, helping us feel less lonely and isolated. We have some great walks for your visitors and yourselves to explore on visitwales.com.
Be sure to tag us on social into any walking trails you’re arranging this month, using #WalesByTrails / #Llwybrau - so we can share on our social media channels.
Wales Coast Path Circular Walks
A circular walk is a great way to experience the Welsh coastline and provide inspiring views and new perspectives without having to double back or use public transport.
The new collection of circular walks use existing public rights of way, paths and roads and often take in coastal towns, villages and places of interest you may not experience while walking the main path. For more details visit: Wales Coast Path / Circular Walks
You can read the latest Wales Coast Path newsletter here Wales Coast Path / Subcribe to our newsletter
Cruise ships docking in Wales 2024
Make sure you’re ready for any cruise ship visitors this year. Check out the latest calendar of Cruise calls to Wales: Cruise Wales calendar | Travel Trade Wales (visitwales.com)
National Slate Museum aiming to become world-class visitor attraction
Redevelopment work at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis is aiming to turn the venue into a world-class visitor attraction. Welsh Government funding of more than £1m has already helped progress the redevelopment, including maximising museum space for collections and activities and ensuring there is appropriate office space for employees.
You can read the full press release at: National Slate Museum aiming to become world-class visitor attraction | GOV.WALES
Cadw's biggest conservation project taking shape at Caerphilly Castle
A £10m investment project at Caerphilly Castle, one of Wales’ finest historic sites, is progressing. The investments at Caerphilly Castle aim to make it a world-class visitor attraction while conserving the monument and preserving its history.
You can read the full press release at: Cadw's biggest conservation project taking shape at Caerphilly Castle | GOV.WALES
Do you want to use more Welsh in your business or charity?
Using the Welsh language can lead to gaining new customers and improving your reputation. The Welsh Language Commissioner offers an online system to self-assess your services as well as providing support, guidance, training and a proofreading service: Do you want to use more Welsh in your business or charity? | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Also, Helo Blod is a free, fast and friendly Welsh translation and advice service that will help you use more Welsh in your business. Using just a little bit of Cymraeg can make a big difference: Welcome to Helo Blod | Helo Blod (gov.wales)
Flexible Skills Programme
Wales-based businesses that wish to upskill their workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector can once again apply for funding support from this programme. To find out if your business is eligible and what areas of training may be supported visit: Flexible Skills Programme | Business Wales Skills Gateway (gov.wales)
Opportunity to reach new customers through VisitBritain’s leisure travel trade events programme
VisitBritain is currently planning their 2024 and 2025 B2B event programme. These events are great opportunities to meet key travel trade operators in market and to learn about the markets from their respective teams. Their proposed programme includes events in Australia, Brazil, Middle East & Asia, Germany, US, France, Spain, China and Nordics. A full programme of events, and an expression of interest form for events that are not yet open, can be found here.
You can also, register now for VisitBritain’s free International Market Webinars 2024.
For any enquiries please contact Flavia.Messina@visitbritain.org (VisitBritain’s Industry Engagement Manager) and for any other enquiries please contact the Visit Wales Travel Trade team at traveltradewales@gov.wales.
Mid Wales Tourism appoints new Chief Executive
Congratulations to Zoe Hawkins on her recent appointment as Chief Executive of MWT Cymru. Zoe has played a pivotal role in various initiatives since joining MWT Cymru in 2010 and has been operations manager since 2019. Read more at: New chief executive pledges to continue supporting Mid Wales tourism sector - MWT Cymru
Have your say in shaping the new Football Museum for Wales and the new Wrexham Museum!
A national survey has been launched to help develop a ‘groundbreaking’ new brand for Wrexham’s new ‘Museum of Two Halves’. Due to open in 2026, the project will see the current Wrexham Museum building totally refurbished and redeveloped in to a brand new national attraction. One half will be dedicated to the heritage and history of Wrexham as a city and county. The other half will tell the eventful story of Welsh football.
Residents of Wrexham County Borough and football fans across Wales are invited to take part in the survey: Wrexham (yourmuseum.wales)
The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning
Public Health Wales have issued a reminder of the simple actions businesses and individuals can take to prevent carbon monoxide (sometimes known as ‘CO’) poisoning. CO poisoning can kill. However, it is easy to prevent. The advice is to:
- Get all heating and cooking appliances (including chimneys and flues) checked/swept by a registered professional at least once a year.
- Make sure holiday accommodation has working CO alarms (that make a sound and / or light up).
- Remind holidaymakers to pack their own CO alarms for use in rooms, tents, campervans and caravans.
- Remind people not to take BBQ’s, portable heaters or cooking stoves indoors or into tents or caravans.
- Know the symptoms of CO poisoning and what to do if it is suspected.
Symptoms of CO poisoning can be similar to symptoms of flu, food poisoning and a hangover. Symptoms often improve when outdoors or away from the source. Further information can be found here.
Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes
The Bank of England issues banknotes in England and Wales, but six banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland can also issue banknotes. Banknotes printed by the banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland are legal currency and can be used anywhere in the UK.
Whilst it is up to individual businesses what forms of payment they accept, Visit Wales does encourage businesses to routinely accept Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes as payment. Accepting these banknotes will help to avoid any potentially negative perceptions of Scottish and Northern Irish visitors.
More details are available at: Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes | Bank of England
Up-skill with a Workforce Skills Improvement Grant from Cyngor Gwynedd!
Cyngor Gwynedd is keen to help businesses upskill their employees. The new Workforce Skills Improvement Grant will help a business overcome the barriers to staff training such as freeing up time to train. To find out more and express an interest in the Grant click here.
The Workforce Skills Improvement Grant is one of the projects supporting Gwynedd businesses during 2024 thanks to Shared Prosperity Fund money via Cyngor Gwynedd. To learn about all the projects click here.
REMINDER - Electronic Travel Authorisation
The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme (ETA) will apply to those passengers visiting the UK or transiting the UK who do not need a visa for short stays. The ETA will have an impact on millions of visitors who come to visit the UK every year. Information and guidance about the scheme can be found here.
The ETA scheme will be implemented in a phased manner, on a nationality basis and will be applied to all nationals who currently do not require a visa to come to the UK – this will include visitors from the US and Europe.
If you would like to know more about ETAs, please book onto one of the following information events:
More information is also available in the partner pack - includes factsheets with FAQs, display posters and social media assets. Some of which you may wish to add to your website if you feel it would be helpful for your customers/visitors.
Up and coming Event Wales funded events 2024:
-
Devauden Festival, Monmouthshire, 24 – 26 May. A family friendly, live-music event offering a range of musical genres across five stages, with local food and drink offerings.
-
Big Retreat Festival, Pembrokeshire, 24 – 27 May. The Big Retreat welcomes you to carefully curated experiences such as: yoga, adventures in art, wild swimming, workshops, foraging, live music and more.
-
Out & Wild Festival, Pembrokeshire, 31 May – 2 June. UK’s first Wellness Festival designed for queer, questioning and curious women and those who are non-binary. The place to embrace new friendships, enjoy new experiences, including sports, music and comedy.
-
Women’s Tour of Britain, 6 - 7 June. The world’s top female cyclists and teams go head-to-head across four tough stages of racing. The race begins in Welshpool, with riders heading north to Llandudno. Stage two will start and finish in Wrexham.
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).
|
