Brecon and Radnor MS James Evans and MP Fay Jones with MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans, chief executive Val Hawkins, operations manager Zoe Hawkins, Mid Wales Tourism Forum chairman Steve Hughson and MWT Cymru members Rhys Thomas, Mike Booth, Ryan Thomas, Greg Loweth and Helen Howarth. MWT Cymru’s key role of representing tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales was underlined on Monday when officials and members met with Brecon and Radnor’s elected representatives in the Welsh and UK Parliaments. The independent organisation, which has 600 members from the tourism and hospitality sectors across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia, briefed James Evans, MS and Fay Jones, MP, on the challenges facing its members, trading conditions and new developments. Issues discussed included the potential impact on rural Wales of the Welsh Government’s taxation and licensing of self-catering accommodation and a proposed tourism levy, the cost of living crisis and the Mid Wales Growth Deal. The meeting was hosted by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Elan Valley Visitor Centre, near Rhayader where MWT Cymru’s chief executive Val Hawkins, MBE, chairman Rowland Rees-Evans, Mid Wales Tourism Forum chairman Steve Hughson gave a overview of the tourism and hospitality sectors in Mid Wales. Other speakers included MWT Cymru members Mike Booth, attractions manager at Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Greg Loweth, business development manager at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, Ryan Thomas, a director of Llangorse Multi Activity Centre, near Brecon, Helen Howarth, of Brecon Retreat, Sennybridge and Rhys Thomas, from Mid Wales Holiday Lets and Rhayader 2000. Mr Booth said he was keen to hear how the proposed tourism taxes would fit into the Welsh Government’s vision for industry in 2030, as major expansion is planned in the Elan Valley, supported by the Mid Wales Growth Deal and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Mr Rees-Evans, managing director of Penrhos Park, Llanrhystud, explained that MWT Cymru has organised a series of meetings with politicians across Mid Wales to brief the region’s members of the Welsh and UK Governments. “What these meetings has highlighted is the important role MWT Cymru plays in representing the interests of tourism and hospitality businesses and bringing them together to brief and update politicians,” he said. “Our members range from micro businesses to large hotels and attractions and it’s vital that their voices are heard because tourism and hospitality, together with agriculture, are the cornerstones of the Mid Wales economy. “It’s essential that we meet our politicians regularly to update them, as there are major issues on the horizon that will impact our membership and Industry.” Mr Hughson, who also chairs the Event Wales Industry Advisory Group, said: “The tourism sector is an important part of the rural economy of Wales. We very much look forward to working with the Welsh Government to ensure that their policy proposals have a positive impact on this sector and the wider rural economy.” Both politicians welcomed the “useful” meeting and suggested regular future briefings from MWT Cymru. “We have heard about the challenges facing the tourism and hospitality sectors here in Mid Wales,” said Mr Evans. “It’s very important that businesses come forward with plans to help these sectors to grow in Mid Wales. “What would businesses like the Mid Wales tourism industry to look like in 2030? I believe that they, rather than governments, are best placed to shape the industry’s future.” Ms Jones added: “It was a fantastic opportunity to have a discussion with tourism and hospitality businesses from Brecon and Radnor. I want to continue working with MWT Cymru to ensure that the powers that be in Westminster and Cardiff really understand and support these sectors which are absolutely critical to the rural economy.”
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The Professional Association of Self Caterers UK (PASC) together with the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) and UK Hospitality are seeking to influence Welsh Government in respect of 182 day threshold.
"This survey is part of a programme of activities that PASC UK/WTA and UKH Cymru are co-ordinating to try and persuade the Welsh Government to look again at the 182-day threshold. The first stage is for you to provide us with up-to-date information about 182 days, and then a question about possible exemptions to the threshold. It takes no more than 3 minutes to complete. Following this survey, you will be asked to undertake some simple and quick support actions to try and increase pressure on the Welsh Government. Thanks for your time - we appreciate it." If your business is impacted by the changes and you would like to get involved then click the link below to complete the survey. Click link here to complete survey Members, partners and supporters gathered at the Royal Welsh Show to hear RWAS plans for a new horticultural village at the 2024 event. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has unveiled its plans to launch a new-look horticulture section at the Royal Welsh Show in 2024. The promotion of horticulture is one of the RWAS’s key charitable objectives and plans are underway to establish a new horticultural village at next year’s show. The village will celebrate all aspects of horticulture in Wales – from community to commercial growing, competitive showing and displays, alongside promoting the health and social benefits of gardening, education and building a resilient supply chain of sustainable Welsh produce. The ethos of the new horticultural village is to ‘inspire, educate and collaborate’ - a space to inspire by showcasing excellence with competitive exhibits and displays, a place for education and learning by working in partnership with schools and colleges and an opportunity to collaborate through inclusive social spaces, meeting areas and demonstration stages. RWAS chair of board, Professor Wynne Jones highlighted the importance of horticulture in Wales and how the society’s role as a charity can help in providing a platform to promote the industry at the Royal Welsh Show, and potentially at our other events. RWAS honorary show director, Richard Price thanked those who took part in the strategic planning workshop held at Aberglasney Gardens earlier this year. Key stakeholders with an interest in horticulture came together with the RWAS Horticulture Committee and staff to discuss the horticultural village plans. RWAS chief executive, Aled Rhys Jones outlined the new vision for the horticultural village and shared potential design ideas of how it may look, based on key ideas around inclusivity and biodiversity, with a stage area for talks, seminars and interactive displays and stall spaces for exhibitors. Central to the village will be areas for competitive showing, particularly the floral art and vegetable produce, for which the Royal Welsh Show is renowned. The wider benefits that horticulture, gardening, and the outdoors have for our mental health and wellbeing are now acknowledged widely. The RWAS is keen to implement areas in the village that reinforce this message, such as communal seating and a sensory garden for visitors to enjoy a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle of the show. “We are very excited about these plans and want the space to be inclusive and appeal to all, from families to commercial growers.” said Aled Rhys Jones. “We are still in the early stages of developing this concept and we see this as a collaborative project where different delivery partners, sponsors and stakeholders can help us deliver on this ambitious vision. “We want this new horticultural village to be one of the biggest talking points of the 2024 Royal Welsh Show.” Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: “A vibrant horticulture sector is high on the Welsh Government's agenda for developing a sustainable agricultural industry as it delivers a range of environmental, social and economic benefits. “The Royal Welsh Show is crucial in promoting Welsh agriculture and horticulture to the world, boosting trade opportunities and allowing new methods and technologies to be shared. “It is important our horticulturalists are an integral part of this, which is why I am very pleased to hear the outline plans for the new horticultural village at next year's Show.” The RWAS is inviting stakeholders, partners and supporters to get involved and share ideas and feedback in the coming months. Tourism projects in Wales win share of £5 million to help get the basics right for visitors3/8/2023 Tourism projects across Wales have won a share of the Welsh Government’s £5 million Brilliant Basics Fund to help deliver a first-class holiday experience, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Dawn Bowden has confirmed today (3 August).
29 tourism infrastructure projects in north, mid and south west and south east Wales have received investment from the fund, which helps deliver small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements. The fund, which is open to local authorities and national park authorities, also supports projects that improve accessibility and those that make their destinations more environmentally sustainable. 2023 is Wales’ Year of Trails which presents the tourism sector with an opportunity to showcase attractions, landscapes and coastline through routes and trails. The approved projects show how local authorities and national parks have considered the entire visitor experience and the essential infrastructure that makes a trail experience complete, from pathways, to parking to making facilities accessible for all. Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden said: “I’m delighted we have been able to invest £5 million in a range of new projects that will help deliver a first-class holiday experience for people across Wales. “The projects supported through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics fund make a real difference. Local tourism amenities have a big part to play in making a trip a memorable one. These facilities often go unnoticed, but they are an important part of a visitor’s experience and also benefit those who live in the area.” The Brilliant Basics fund for 2023 to 2025 was launched in February 2023, and 29 projects across Wales have been approved for funding. You can read the full press release at: Tourism projects in Wales win share of £5 million to help get the basics right for visitors | GOV.WALES The written statement, including a list of the successful projects, can be found at: Written Statement: Brilliant Basics Capital Fund 2023-25 (3 August 2023) | GOV.WALES
Earlier this year, the Welsh Government called for views on its consultation on a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales. This public consultation sought views on how a licensing scheme could operate on a practical level. This closed on 17 March with more than 1,500 responses.
To supplement the main consultation, three engagement sessions were held in May. Invited key stakeholders from across the tourism industry gave feedback on specific technical aspects of the proposed scheme. Those who attended represented a significant number and variety of tourism businesses and organisations in Wales. The Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has issued a written statement which gives an update on the statutory licensing scheme and shares the full consultation analysis and a report of the supplementary consultation discussions. The full written statement can be found here: Written Statement: Update on a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales (5 July 2023) | GOV.WALES Described as the ‘biggest step-change in community safety in a generation’, most streets in Wales that currently have a 30mph speed limit will switch to 20mph on Sunday, September 17.
Read more The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has congratulated the Welsh Shearing and Woolhandling Team for taking three out of the six world titles at the 2023 Golden Shears World Championships.
The Golden Shears Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling World Championships, which showcases the art, skill and techniques it takes to be a world champion, were held at The Royal Highland Show in Scotland last weekend. Shearing teams from 30 nations flocked to Edinburgh to compete at the event, which is held in a different location around the globe every three years. In what became a fantastic win for Wales, Gwion Lloyd Evans claimed the world champion individual machine shearing title, with fellow Welsh shearer and previous world champion, Richard Jones finishing second. In the team’s section, Evans and Jones combined superbly to take the team Machine shearing competition. The world champion woolhandling team event was won by Welsh pair Ffion Jones and Sarah-Jane Rees. Elfed Jackson and Gareth Owen came third in the world blade shearing team championship. Elfed was also sixth in the world champion individual blade final. Ably leading the Welsh team to their success was manager Alwyn Manzini. RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones congratulated the Welsh team on their excellent win. “The society, along with the whole of Wales, is so very proud of what the team has achieved in the Golden Shears,” he said. “This is the best result Wales has ever had at the world championships and we cannot wait to welcome the team home to raise the roof at The Royal Welsh Show in just four weeks’ time.” The RWAS thanked to the main sponsors of the Welsh team, Nettex Agri and Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Ltd. People wishing to watch the world champions compete in the Royal Welsh Shearing and Woolhandling competitions are being encouraged to book their tickets in advance at https://rwas.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/ . The award of an MBE in the King’s official birthday honours list to a prominent figure in the Mid Wales tourism industry is richly deserved, says the chairman of MWT Cymru. Rowland Rees-Evans, a director of Penrhos Park, Llanrhystud, says he’s delighted that the excellent work of Val Hawkins, chief executive of Machynlleth-based MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism), has been recognised after 24 years’ service. The MBE recognises Val’s service to tourism and the economy of Wales. “We at MWT Cymru are absolutely delighted and thrilled that Val has been recognised for the excellent work she has done over the last 24 years for the tourism industry in Mid Wales and Wales as a whole,” said Rowland. “Her MBE is richly deserved. “On behalf of MWT Cymru board and members, we appreciate greatly the work she has done and continues to do to support member businesses. Val and her small team were truly exceptional during the Covid pandemic in getting information out to members across Mid Wales which was very important at a very challenging time. “Val is respected across the whole of Wales for the important work she does to support the tourism sector, ensuring that the voice of Mid Wales is heard at government level.” MWT Cymru, which has a team of four full and part-time staff, is an independent tourism organisation representing 600 tourism and hospitality member businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Val thanked the MWT Cymru directors and staff she has worked with over the years and member businesses and community groups for their support. “I am part of a business community and, for a rural region, we collectively punch way above our weight,” she said. “Our strength lies in being a small but flexible and agile team which allows us to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.” Val, who lives in Newtown, was born in Glasgow and joined Mid Wales Tourism as membership manager in June, 1999. She was promoted to general manager in 2005-‘06, a job title that developed to chief executive. Widely respected across the tourism industry, MWT Cymru has built strong relationships with Visit Wales, Visit Britain and trade organisations across Wales. Extract from the survey introduction. Meet In Wales develops and promotes Wales as a leading business events destination and they are currently undertaking a review of Business Events products and skills in Wales. To take part in the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MeetInWales-Survey The survey is anonymous and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you would like to undertake an in-depth one-to-one session with the research team via a telephone or a Teams/Zoom call, please indicate in your survey response. The survey will close at 9am Monday 26th June. For more information about the Meet In Wales Destination Review 2023, go to: https://businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/meet-wales-destination-review-2023 |
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