Tourism In Wales, Still Going Strong

“The tourism industry has a vital role to play in the Welsh economy.”

This was the key message from Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones to tourism industry representatives in a speech at the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) conference in Llandrindod Wells.

The Minister said:

“The WTA has come a long way in the ten years since it was established – it now represents 7,000 tourism businesses covering all the major sectors of the industry in Wales.  So it’s an increasingly strong and credible industry voice and one that the Assembly Government listens to, and works closely with,”

“Tourism is fully acknowledged by the Assembly Government as an economically important sector in the Welsh economy.  Tourism also features clearly in the Assembly Government’s “One Wales” commitments for Wales.”

The Minister also updated delegates on the most recent Visit Wales Survey of Tourism Businesses, which showed that the tourism industry had enjoyed a successful summer period.  The Minister also outlined Visit Wales marketing activities and updated delegates on progress relating to tourism projects currently underway which are being funded by Convergence Funding.

The Minister also urged delegates to join the Visit Wales quality grading scheme and take advantage of marketing support and PR opportunities as well as website advice.  He also emphasised the importance of partnership working.

The Minister continued:

“We have a rich and varied natural tourism product in Wales – fantastic coastline and towns and villages with their distinct and unique culture and heritage.  These all hold significant appeal to visitors, and we are working to make the most of this tourism bounty through a range of strategies and action plans which will maximise their potential.”

The conference was also an opportunity for the Minister to present the new Tourism Advisory Panel to delegates.  The panel will consist of members representing different sectors of the tourism industry.  The panel will continue to be chaired by Ieuan Evans MBE, who will also represent Wales on the board of Visit Britain.  Professor Eleri Jones, the head of the head of the Welsh School of Hospitality, tourism and Leisure Management at UWIC has also been retained on the panel and will represent the academic sector.  These two positions are formal public appointments for a three year term.

Other members of the panel, representing industry sectors and regions, include Justin Baird-Murray of the Metropole Hotel – representing the Hotel/ Serviced Accommodation sector; Alison Belton of Pembrokeshire Tourism – representing South West Wales; Stephen Bristow MBE of Greenwood Forest Park – the Attractions Sector; Julian Burrell representing the Wales Tourism Alliance and the self-catering sector, Pete Burnsall of the Wales Activity Tourism Organisation, Mandy Davies, the Chair of the South East Wales Tourism Forum, Val Hawkins of Mid Wales Tourism, Gwynn Angell Jones of the National Trust, Peter Lavin of the Castle Hotel in Conwy – representing North Wales, Chris Llewelyn representing the Welsh Local Government Association and Brian Richardson representing the caravan and camping sector.

Commenting on these appointments, the Minister said:

“I am pleased that we now have a fully representative Tourism Advisory Panel covering all the key sectors of the industry in Wales.  I look forward to working with them over the next three years to help develop the tourism industry in Wales.”

Topics: business, Economy, funding, Governance, government, Llandrindod, Minister, tourism, Wales, Wales Tourism Alliance, WTA

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