Tourism Industry Update
Future support for Welsh tourism and hospitality
A Written Statement has been made by Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Social Partnership (19 July):
The 15 to 21 July 2024 is Wales Tourism Week and an opportunity to highlight the companies and the people that work so hard to welcome visitors to Wales. Latest figures show that tourism-related industries generated 5.1% of Wales’ GVA (£3.8 billion). In 2023, over 8.5 million visitors from within Great Britain came to Wales, alongside 892,000 international visitors. I want to see the tourism and hospitality industries grow for good still further with strategic and financial support from Visit Wales.
We developed our priorities for supporting the visitor economy by listening to the industry and to stakeholders with the goal of growing tourism in a way that is sustainable for the people and places of Wales.
Read the written statement in full at: Written Statement: Future support for Welsh tourism and hospitality (19 July 2024) | GOV.WALES
‘Croeso’ i bawb! - A warm Welsh ‘Welcome!’
‘Croeso!’ will be the theme of the year for 2025, Visit Wales has revealed.
The Year of Croeso, or ‘welcome’, announced as part of Wales Tourism Week, aims to celebrate the distinct and varied ways in which people from across the UK and the world can feel welcomed when they holiday in Wales.
The friendly welcome visitors get in Wales is a key reason for many choosing to return time and again, a testament to Wales’ culture and its people, and the primary influence for Visit Wales choosing the ‘Croeso’ theme for 2025.
You can read the full press release at: ‘Croeso’ i bawb! A warm Welsh ‘Welcome!’ | GOV.WALES
Cabinet portfolios
A Written Statement has been made by First Minister, Vaughan Gething MS:
“I am this evening (17 July) announcing changes to my Ministerial team. I have asked Jack Sargeant, Member of the Senedd for Alyn and Deeside, to join my team as the Minister for Social Partnership. I have widened the scope of some Ministerial portfolios, while I will retain oversight for ongoing discussions with TATA working closely with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates.”
Publication of latest Tourism Barometer Report (June 2024 Wave)
The latest Tourism Business Barometer has been published. The report covers 900 phone interviews with tourism businesses across Wales and was conducted between 5-24 June 2024.
Two opportunities to meet German tour operators
VisitBritain has opened registration for two events offering businesses the opportunity to meet with German and global tour operators and agents.
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Germany Workshop, Frankfurt, 13-15 November 2024: If you are new to the German market and need additional support, you may want to attend the Germany Workshop 2024. The event is specifically tailored for trade-ready businesses new to the German market. Registration deadline: 5 August 2024 (it may close earlier on reaching capacity). Find more information and how to register here: Germany Workshop 2024 | VisitBritain.org
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ITB Berlin, 4-6 March 2025: You will be exhibiting under the VisitBritain brand jointly with Visit Wales. ITB Berlin is one of the largest trade fairs in the world and showcases the best of Britain to German and global buyers. This event has been designed for businesses that are comfortable with meeting the German and global travel trade. Registration deadline: 20 August 2024. Find more information and to how register here: ITB Berlin Registration Form 2025
A full programme of VisitBritain’s 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.
Up and coming Event Wales funded events 2024:
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Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale, 26-28 July. An annual event staged on a mountain top in Ebbw Vale where Wales plays host to one of the world’s most iconic classic rock festivals bringing rock lovers together.
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The Hundred, Cardiff, 28 July. An action-packed, unmissable, 100-ball cricket competition that will put you on the edge of your seat.
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2024 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain, Cardiff, 17 August. Britain’s best indoor motorsport event.
RNLI Float To Live Campaign 2024
Float to Live is the RNLI’s lifesaving advice for people who find themselves suffering cold water shock or in difficulty in the water. Each year the charity hears about more and more people who credit Float To Live with helping save their lives. For further details visit: Float To Live – What To Do In An Emergency – RNLI
Please share this life saving campaign on your social media and website.
All campaign resources can be downloaded here: Float to Live Toolkit: resources for download (rnli.org) (English and Welsh resources available)
The Countryside Code
Natural Resources Wales have produced guides to help everyone enjoy parks and waterways, coast and countryside. Please share these guides on your social media and website.
For further details visit: Natural Resources Wales / The Countryside Code Family
A Cultural Transformation is on the Way to Neath Port Talbot
Three dynamic new strategies have been launched which collectively aim to invest in culture and heritage for the benefit of local people while also making Neath Port Talbot a nationally recognised visitor destination by 2030:
For further details visit: Our Place, Our Future: A Cultural Transformation is on the Way to Neath Port Talbot - NPT News
Become a Wales Ambassador
Increase your knowledge of Wales and help others to get the most out of their visit.
The Wales Ambassador Scheme offers a set of free online courses that will introduce you to different areas and attractions in Wales. You can choose any course that is relevant to where you are, or what interests you.
Find out more about the scheme and how to become a Wales Ambassador at: Ambassador Wales – Wales Ambassador Scheme
North Wales Community Fund
Charities and community organisations in North Wales can now apply for a share of £3,000 from the new North Wales Community Fund. Three groups will each receive £1,000.
This initiative, launched by Go North Wales, part of North Wales Tourism, and holidaycottages.co.uk, aims to support local groups making a positive impact in the community. Applications are open until 4 August 2024.
For further details visit: North Wales Community Fund | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Professor Andrew Campbell awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List
Congratulations to Professor Andrew Campbell on being awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to tourism.
Andrew is a Professor of Practice in Tourism within the University of Wales, Trinity St. David and was Chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance until 2021.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority consultation on Camping and Caravanning Development in the National Park
This consultation is seeking your views on the best way forward for the Authority to address camping and caravan developments in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The consultation period will run until 5pm on Friday, 20 September 2024. Find out more at: Camping and Caravan Site Developments in the National Park - Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Arival | Activate Edinburgh 2024 - The Essential Event for Operators of Tours, Activities, and Attractions in Northern Europe
Arival events are exclusively for experiences industry professionals, filled with practical content tailored to address the challenges faced by businesses like yours and help grow your business. Arival | Activate Edinburgh is their first-ever event focused solely on the in-destination experiences industry in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic regions.
Here’s what to expect:
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Expert Insights: Learn from industry thought leaders from the region during plenary sessions, tap into peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and master must-know topics during tailored breakout sessions
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Immersive Learning: Join experiential off site sessions (and fun social events!)
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High-Impact Networking: With just 400-500 attendees, you can have more meaningful conversations with your peers, potential partners, distributors, and more
The event will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with experiential sessions and activities happening throughout the city of Edinburgh on 23-25 November 2024.
Early Bird rates available with code: VWLEDI15X. For more details and how to register visit: Arival | Activate Edinburgh| 23-25 November 2024 | Arival | The Resource for the Best Part of Travel
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).
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