News from Mid Wales

Gareth Price of Tynrhyd Retreat, Devil’s Bridge was recently appointed as the new Chair of Twirstiaeth Ceredigion Tourism (TCT) at their AGM held on November 12th 2014. During the meeting, the members heard of the exciting initiatives that have taken place over the last year, such as the very successful 'themed months'.  The themes include romance, walking, activities and food aiming to extend the visitor season. The initiative has achieved national media interest and publicity for Ceredigion.

Show Me Wales Trails - Visitors to Wales are being encouraged to park their car and take the train, walk or cycle in MWT’s latest sustainable transport and tourism initiative. The Cambrian Line, Cambrian Coast, Heart of Wales Line, Glyndwr’s Way National Trail, Mid Wales section of the Wales Coast Path, Offa’s Dyke Path and NCN Routes are all promoted. The project aims to make it easier for visitors to identify accessible things to do and places to visit and stay in towns and villages along the lines that do not require a car. A bilingual, business card sized pocket guide has been produced and visitors can also download a range of rail trail itineraries on www.showmewales.co.uk/railtrails. Free postcards are available at railway stations and at places to stay which visitors can write to their family and friends about their wonderful experiences on Wales’ scenic railways.

The Mid Wales Tourism Conference will be held on Thursday, 19th March 2015 at the Metropole, Llandrindod Wells. For more information visit www.midwalestourismconference.co.uk 

Finalists were annouced this week for the National Tourism Awards for Wales, held next year at the Vale Resort, Hensol on 25 March 2015.  There is a wide ranging mix of businesses on the shorlist with Mid Wales well represented.  Take a look at the list of finalists

Regional Support

The Regional Tourism Engagement Fund has been set up to support destinations within the Mid Wales region. Funds have been allocated up until March 2015 but another round of funding will be available from April 2015. All projects are aligned to our Partnership for Growth strategy and will play a part in achieving our target of 10% growth by 2020. 

Gwawr and Helen work closely with the rest of the Visit Wales team and as your first point of contact we are happy to discuss any queries you may have about this fund. 

Key projects funded in Mid Wales region

Here's a reminder of some of the current tourism projects in the Mid Wales area.

Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) Glasbury-on-Wye based Wye Valley Canoes have successfully obtained funding from the Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) by refurbishing Treble Hill Chapel into a 5 star luxury bunkhouse. As well as a base for outdoor activities, the exclusive hire of the bunkhouse provides a base for wedding guests, family gatherings, courses and company away days.

Wales Economic Growth Fund The tourism sector has benefitted from the wider jobs/growth fund, the Wales Economic Growth Fund (WEGF).  Successfully accessing this fund, The Cliff Hotel and Spa have upgraded their hotel facilities, resulting in the creation of 12 jobs and the safeguarding of 6.

Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Following the extreme weather conditions over the winter, Ceredigion County Council received £588,000 from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).  Activity supported included a proactive PR and marketing campaign and repair of damages to the tourism infrastructure at Aberystwyth.

Digital Tourism Framework This helps to raise the digital bar across the tourism industry in Wales by supporting it in the adoption of new technologies.  This will enable the industry to meet and exceed visitor expectations and become more competitive. Through this funding stream, the Welsh Rarebits consortium were awarded £40,995.00 to develop an interactive booking system and digital community which will encourage digital collaboration between hospitality based businesses.  Mid Wales Tourism has recently completed a new app aimed at promoting car free options to inspire and help visitors to plan their days out. The app features The Wales Coastal Path, Offa’s Dyke path, Glyndwr’s Way, NCN cycle trails and scenic railways showing hub points along each route linked to places of interest, and things to see and do. The new app is available free of charge to download now from Google Play or Itunes.

Partnership for Growth (P4G) Fund

This fund promotes joint working and collaborative projects to support sustainable tourism development. 

Ceredigion County Council 

Support has been given to strengthen the faith tourism product offer in the destination and support the ongoing work of the Peaceful Places project in Ceredigion by:

• facilitating the addition of two more churches and one chapel to the existing cluster
• developing interpretation and
• growing the network. 

Dyfi Valley Eco Partnership – Discover and Taste Dyfi

 A support package has been developed to assist with the growth of the visitor economy within the Dyfi Biosphere, through increasing awareness of this unique status in visitor markets including: 

1. A Discover and Taste Dyfi audit (to include, attractions, events and food)
2. A tailored industry engagement programme of events and tools
3. Development of a Dyfi brand for all businesses to use and promote within the destination.

Environment for Growth (E4G)

The Environment for Growth programme was key in delivering key strategic priorities namely Coastal and Sustainable Tourism. With projects totalling over £35 million since 2010, developing 7 iconic Centres of Excellence in Wales as well as coastal improvements along our beaches.

The Eryri Centre of Excellence is a  £4,606,467 project which has been the beneficiary of £2m of ERDF funding. The One Big Adventure is the brand for the Eryri Centre of Excellence.  Projects include a fishing centre with Prysor Angling at Trawsfynydd. Mountain biking trails and visitor centre extension at Coed y Brenin, Dolgellau.  New downhill mountain biking trails and new visitor centre at Blaenau Ffestiniog and new accommodation provision for the family market at Glan Llyn, Bala.

Destination partnerships updates

We have six destination partnerships across Mid Wales; 

• Dyfi Biosphere
• North & Mid Powys
• Gwynedd
• Ceredigion
• Brecon Beacons
• Cambrian Mountains

These partnerships are crucial to developing the destinations within North Wales. We will be working very closely with all six partnerships and have already allocated funding to the partnerships up until March 2015, through our Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) to deliver projects on the ground from generating PR for destinations to updating visitor facilities and interpretation.   

Regional Tourism Engagement Fund

The new Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) was set up in October and all tourism destinations were invited to submit applications for support until 31 March 2015.  26 applications have been approved totalling £426,000 for whole of Wales.  In the Mid Wales region £82,390 was awarded to 5 destinations for activities such as: marketing, destination development, skills activities, database management, engagement and partnership support.

Ceredigion:

• Looking at the marketing of the destination, research will be undertaken to understand perceptions of visitors and potential visitors to Ceredigion.  This will compliment national research and identify ways to market the destination more effectively
• Customer Service and Digital sessions will be held, tailor-made for tourism related businesses across Ceredigion. 

Brecon Beacons:

• Aiming to increase awareness of the branding activity to date, the Brecon Beacons will be holding industry facing workshops across the destination
• Press and PR activity will be continued in order to raise the profile of the destination to target markets.

Cambrian Mountains:

• Visitor Monitoring will be undertaken; data will be gathered and collated to establish a baseline and provide a method for monitoring and identifying future developments
•  “Learning Journeys” will be offered to the industry, aiming to raise awareness of the products and services available to visitors to the Cambrian Mountains.

Dyfi Biosphere:

• The aim of the support is to assist in raising the profile of the Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail through targeted PR, and ensure that as many services as possible are promoted through the new National Trail website
• Knowledge about natural, cultural and economic assets within reach will be strengthened, trade collaboration will be improved, and market opportunities to address weaknesses in the product may be identified. 

North Mid Powys Destination Network:

The aim of the support is to identify opportunities provided by Glyndwr’s Way. Two events are being organised for Jan – late Feb 2015 to complement the Glyndwr’s Way audit (that is included within the Dyfi Biosphere RTEF application) to ensure that the area are getting the most out of the walking offer. 

The support will also strengthen  the regions identity, encourage collaborative working and strengthen the tourism sectors communication and knowledge, across Mid and North Powys through :-

• Supporting and  strengthening relationships and communication between the existing sixteen groups
• Supporting the group in developing a clear focus for the future.

Southern Snowdonia:

This work is part of the Gwynedd Destination Delivery plan, focusing specifically on the Meirionnydd area.  

• Film Work in Meirionnydd -  update the county library film to reflect the significant investments in the tourism offer within Meirionnydd
• Package business to business training. Raising awareness of the Heritage and Nature investment that has taken place within the county. 

How we can help your business

Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) TISS is a grant for new and existing Welsh tourism businesses looking to upgrade the quality of facilities and increase capacity where there is a gap in the market. We offer up to 25% funding for projects, from £5,000 to £500,000.

Visit Wales star grading scheme Stars are a recognised sign of quality and provide reassurance to guests that you’ve been fully inspected before they check in.  We know for a fact that guests consider star quality grading important when choosing somewhere to stay.  Apply online now.

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Destination Management Wales website A website for all those involved in the development of tourism destinations and the delivery of the visitor experience. You'll find information on your role in creating a successful destination, who else is involved and where they fit in, lots of links to useful sites and sample destination management tools.

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