Tourism Industry Update
Countdown to the National Tourism Awards for Wales
The National Tourism Awards for Wales (NTAW) ceremony will take place on Thursday, 27 March at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. This marks the first time the awards have been held since 2018, offering a platform to recognise and celebrate excellence in Welsh tourism, hospitality, and events.
Tickets are available and the event is open to all tourism business or events who wish to enjoy this prestigious evening of celebration. Get your tickets on the NTAW website.
Highlights of the event:
- Celebrate excellence: Join us in honouring the outstanding achievements in the Welsh tourism industry. This is your chance to be part of an event that celebrates the hard work and dedication of those who help make Wales a top destination.
- Network with industry leaders: Share stories and be part of a community that values excellence.
- Special performances: The evening will feature performances that celebrate Welsh culture and talent, including Welsh of the West End group who reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent and Band Pres Llareggub, who bring a new modern twist to the age-old tradition of brass bands from the slate mining villages of North Wales.
Finalists and sponsors:
Diolch yn fawr to the sponsors who are playing a vital role in supporting the National Tourism Awards for Wales.
- Headline Sponsor – Castell Howell
- Best Hotel - Everbright Hotels
- Best Self-Catering - PASC UK Cymru
- Best Attraction – Folly Farm
- Best Activity, Experience or Tour - The Celtic Collection
- Bro a Byd - Transport for Wales
- Best Place to Eat - Cambrian Training
- Rising Star - Academi Croeso
- Best Event - Avanti West Coast
- Best Dog Friendly Business - Haven, Hafan y Môr
- Print Sponsor – W.O.Jones
There are three remaining categories still available: -
- Best B&B, Inn & Guesthouse – Available
- Best Caravan, Camping, Glamping – Available
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – Available
For further information, or to sponsor one of our remaining categories please email info@walestourismawards.co.uk.
A list of the finalists and sponsors can be found on the NTAW website.
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and network before the new tourism season begins.
Feel the ‘Hwyl’ in London: Spot our exciting ads across the City!
If you're heading to London in the next couple of weeks, keep an eye out for our exciting Out of Home advertising campaign.
We're bringing Hwyl to the city with ads in some of the most visible locations. Look for our roadside Cromination Boards on Cromwell Road, the main route between Heathrow and Central London, and on the exterior of the Outernet at the bustling crossroads of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. You'll also find our digital ads across various key rail and underground stations.
Our flagship Hwyl campaign will be visible across London ahead of Wales Week London. The campaign runs from 17 February for two weeks. Don't miss it and If you spot our ads, please tag us in your social posts using #FeeltheHwyl / #Hwyl.
You can also get involved with the campaign by featuring in our Wall of Hwyl on our website homepage, by again simply tagging us with #FeelTheHwyl, #Hwyl, #VisitWales and #CroesoCymru. Find out more on Year of Croeso | Industry.
Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation (WATO)
The Welsh Government have commissioned the Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation (WATO) to develop an Action Plan for Adventure Tourism in Wales (2025-2030). This action plan will ensure that the sector can respond to the trends in the visitor economy and deliver significant health and well-being benefits for the people of Wales whilst recognising that economic growth must be environmentally and culturally sustainable.
If you are a business offering outdoor activities, please complete this survey to ensure the action plan reflects the views and needs of the outdoor activity provider sector. Diolch!
Adventure Tourism Action Plan for Wales (2025-2030) - Online survey of providers
Stars align as Wales leads the UK in dark skies protection
Wales will this week become the first UK nation to introduce national good practice guidance to help protect its dark skies.
Good Practice Guidance: Planning for the Conservation and Enhancement of Dark Skies will help ensure people’s well-being, while helping both stargazers and wildlife thrive in Wales for generations to come.
Avoiding light pollution – which wastes money, energy and carbon – also benefits Wales’ cultural heritage and its tourism offer, with the country already renowned for having the highest percentage of protected dark skies in the world.
Read the announcement in full.
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Neath Port Talbot celebrates RB100: the Richard Burton Centenary
In 2025, Neath Port Talbot Council will lead the Richard Burton Centenary, celebrating 100 years since the actor's birth in Pontrhydyfen. This programme of activity is being supported by Welsh Government through Event Wales.
The celebration began on 14 February with the opening of the Richard Burton Trails in Pontrhydyfen and Taibach. These free trails feature QR codes providing insights into Burton's early life. The Birthplace Trail and the Childhood Trail will be free for members of the public to visit after the launch.
The Trails will be open all year, inviting locals and visitors to learn more about Richard Burton through tours, workshops, talks, events, performances, and screenings.
Councillor Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing at Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
“Richard Burton’s legacy is one of creativity, passion, and incredible artistic achievement. The Centenary Year will be a wonderful opportunity to inspire more people to take part in the arts and to learn more about how Richard Burton represented Wales on the international stage and silver screen. We look forward to launching RB100 with the opening of the new Richard Burton Trails”.
Read the full announcement on the Neath Port Talbot Council website.
For more information on RB100 visit https://richardburton100.org/.
Open consultation: Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime (England and Wales)
The current rules for short-term rental properties requiring an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) are based on holiday let guidelines. An EPC is needed if the property is rented out as a furnished holiday let for less than 31 days per tenant and for a total of four months or more annually, with the occupier responsible for energy costs.
Proposed updates to the regulations will require all short-term rental properties to have a valid EPC at the point of being let, regardless of who pays the energy costs.
Public opinion is sought on these proposals through two questions:
- Should short-term rental properties have a valid EPC at the point of being let?
- Should this requirement apply regardless of who pays the energy costs?
Responses range from strongly disagree to strongly agree, with space for additional comments and evidence.
Read the full announcement and details on how to respond.
TXGB offers Welsh tourism businesses new distribution opportunities
TXGB offers new distribution opportunities for Welsh businesses, including the recent connections with Stay in a Pub and Visit Swansea Bay. This partnership offers wide ranging possibilities for local tourism and hospitality providers to reach a broader audience and attract more visitors. By leveraging TXGB's network, businesses can seamlessly integrate their offerings and tap into new markets. Whether you're a small B&B, a charming inn, or a unique local attraction, new to online bookings or experienced, TXGB provides the tools and support needed to enhance your visibility and drive growth. Expand your reach and showcase the best of Wales to the world.
Find out more about TXGB today and start exploring new distribution channels that can elevate your business by visiting TXGB | Grow sales for your business | Industry Visit Wales.
Be Mighty. Recycle. It’s a food waste campaign
Kicking off on 28 February and running until 23 March, the campaign will tie into key national events including St David’s Day, Six Nations, and Food Waste Action Week and will be the biggest push to help get Wales to become the world’s best recycling nation!
More information on how you can get involved is available on the Wales Recycles website.
Up and coming Event Wales funded events 2025:
Additional events:
Visit Wales Industry on LinkedIn
Visit Wales Industry is now on LinkedIn! Connect with us to stay updated on the latest industry news, events, and opportunities.
Follow us on @Visit Wales Industry
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Welsh Government Consultations
Welsh Government consultations can be found on Consultations | GOV.WALES.
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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