Tourism Industry Update
"We have listened, we have learned and we will deliver” - FM announces Welsh Government priorities
The First Minister Eluned Morgan has set out her priorities for the Welsh Government. For further details visit: "We have listened, we have learned and we will deliver” - FM announces Welsh Government priorities | GOV.WALES
A new Government delivering for Wales
Following the First Minister’s Written Statement announcing the new Welsh Government Cabinet, Rebecca Evans MS has been announced as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.
Rebecca Evans MS has said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, and to have Tourism, Hospitality and Major Events form such a central part of my Ministerial responsibilities. These are vital parts of the economy in Wales and I look forward to hearing from the industry and getting to grips with some of the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.
“As we look ahead to 2025 and the Year of Croeso in Wales I’m excited to be working together with industry and stakeholders to deliver our flagship new marketing campaign where we can shout about our unique and warm welcome, and invite visitors to explore the joyful things that make us uniquely Welsh and can only be experienced in Wales – from culture and language to our iconic landscapes, events, food and drink, attractions and so much more.”
More information about Welsh Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers is available at: Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers | GOV.WALES
Visit Wales marketing webinar, 17 October 2024 – includes campaign activity for Year of Croeso 2025. Registration open
2025 will mark the Year of Croeso in Wales: the latest themed year campaign led by Visit Wales. We know visitors love the welcome they receive in Wales and in 2025 we’ll be taking even more of Wales to the world.
Register now for the Visit Wales marketing webinar to hear about our plans for Year of Croeso 2025 and our flagship new marketing campaign for Wales. The session will take place via Microsoft Teams Live Event on 17 October 2024 from 2:00 pm – 3.30 pm.
Please register for your place by 4:00 pm, 14 October on: Business Wales Events Finder - Visit Wales marketing webinar (business-events.org.uk)
Britain & Ireland Marketplace: 24 January 2025 - InterContinental London, the O2
Britain & Ireland Marketplace returns to London on Friday 24 January 2025. This event brings together the networks of ETOA, UKinbound and VisitBritain, as well as national and regional destinations across the UK and Ireland. Connect with 200+ international buyers in a series of one-to-one appointments - from bespoke small tour operators to group operators, all ready to contract the best of British and Irish tourism products.
A special discounted rate is available for Wales suppliers @ £949 + VAT (this early bird rate ends 15 November 2024) – if you are interested in attending, please email traveltradewales@gov.wales to access the discount code before registering for the event.
British Tourism & Travel Show: 19-20 March 2025 - 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 9 pods and has negotiated a reduced rate with the organisers as follows:
- £1,650 + VAT, total cost for partner pod
- £825 + 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
AIG Women's Open to be largest ever women's sporting event staged in Wales
2025 will see history being made when the iconic AIG Women’s Open golf championship comes to Wales for the first time. Royal Porthcawl Golf Club will host what will be the largest women’s sporting event to be played in Wales from 30 July to 3 August 2025, attracting the best women golfers from around the world.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, commented, “The AIG Women’s Open is a world class championship which attracts the best players in the world. The famous Welsh links has a cherished history of hosting prestigious championships and the players will enjoy the challenge of competing for the AIG Women’s Open at another outstanding venue.
“It will be the largest women’s sporting event to be played in Wales and we hope to attract many Welsh sports fans, and those from further afield, to come and enjoy a true celebration of golf.”
More information can be found on AIG Women's Open (aigwomensopen.com).
To celebrate the AIG Women’s Open coming to Wales, we are offering the opportunity to win one of two prizes - either a 4-ball game of golf, with overnight accommodation, or an afternoon tea for two at the Vale Resort. More on Prize draw for golf enthusiasts! | VisitWales.
World Tourism Day 2024
Every year 27 September is celebrated as World Tourism Day (WTD) all over the world with the aim to raise awareness of the important role that tourism plays in building social, cultural and political values worldwide. For further details visit: World Tourism Day 2024 | Business Wales (gov.wales)
£5 million for culture and sport bodies and Cadw
The Welsh Government is providing a further £5 million to support and protect Wales’ culture and sport arm’s length bodies and Cadw. The support package is in addition to the £3.2m capital funding announced in July for repairs to be carried out to both National Museum Cardiff and the National Library of Wales. For further details visit £5 million for culture and sport bodies and Cadw | GOV.WALES
Be Mighty. Recycle food waste campaign
Get ready for the next ‘Be Mighty. Recycle.’ campaign launching on Monday 14 October, just in time for Recycle Week and Halloween. The campaign will run for 3 weeks until Sunday 3 November. The Be Mighty. Recycle. campaign is Wales’ biggest ever collective drive to boost Wales to No.1 in the world for recycling. It contributes to Welsh Government’s targets to reduce food waste and increase recycling and is helping to pave the way towards becoming a zero-waste nation by 2050.
You can support this mighty mission by downloading the partner toolkit and using the free resources (embargoed until Monday 16 October) during the campaign period: Campaign assets (wrapcymru.org.uk)
Wales Climate Week 11-15 November 2024
Wales Climate Week returns in November, bringing people together from across Wales to learn and explore innovative solutions for tackling and adapting to climate change. The Week this year will coincide with the United Nations COP29 climate change conference.
This year’s 5-day virtual conference will include a series of keynote and interactive panel sessions. For more information and how to register visit: Home | Wales Climate Week 2024 (gov.wales)
Embracing the Welsh Language in the private sector
Free support to develop Welsh language services and to promote the Welsh language in the workplace. The Welsh Language Commissioner and the National Centre for Learning Welsh invite you to an event outlining the support available to you as businesses to develop your use of the Welsh language. This event is aimed at senior managers.
- 11 November 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Principality House ,The Friary, Cardiff CFl0 3FA
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RSVP: by 10 October 2024 hybu@cyg-wlc.cymru
Do you have what it takes to become a champion Welsh chef?
Chefs who have what it takes to become a Welsh champion are being encouraged to enter prestigious competitions at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC).
All chefs who intend to enter the National and Junior Chef of Wales 2025 competitions must pre-register by 7 October to attend a mandatory virtual briefing session in advance of submitting their menu by 15 November 2024. Finalists will be selected for each competition from the menus they submit. Application forms at: Competitions - Culinary Association of Wales
The Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), which is organising the three-day Welsh food and drink showcase event at ICC Wales, Newport on 20-22 January 2025, is urging chefs to showcase their skills.
National Landscapes – the new name for AONBs
On 22 November 2023 all Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in Wales and England were rebranded as National Landscapes. These areas have been designated and protected in recognition of their natural beauty. The new identity reflects their national importance: the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.
Have you made your visitors aware of a National Landscape near you?
For more details visit: National Landscapes - Welcome to National Landscapes (national-landscapes.org.uk)
Reminder: Electronic Travel Authorisation
The UK Government has announced the next phase in the roll out of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs). An ETA gives visitors permission to travel to the UK. By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK - this will include visitors from the US and Europe.
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Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27 November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025.
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Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel to the UK from 2 April 2025.
See the full list of countries of who will need to apply for an ETA on GOV.UK
Those nationalities that ordinarily require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so and should not obtain an ETA.
If you would like to know more about ETAs, please book onto one of the UK Government’s information events.
More information is also available in the partner pack - includes promotional materials, model website content, social media assets and factsheets. Some of which you may wish to add to your website if you feel it would be helpful for your customers/visitors.
Any questions about the events please contact ETAengagement@homeoffice.gov.uk
Reminder: 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.
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
Up and coming Event Wales funded events 2024:
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Cardiff Music City Festival, 27 September–20 October. Aiming to attract over 20,000 people, the festival will bring together international and local talent, including household names and emerging talent.
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Wye Valley River Festival Shadows of Tintern 18–19 October. An entertaining evening out for all ages, Shadows of Tintern offers a magical night in an outstanding setting. This is a rare chance to walk through the Abbey grounds after dark.
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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