MWT Cymru
  • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Members
      • Our Partners
      • Visit Wales
  • Why Join?
    • Mid Wales Businesses
      • Mid Wales Accommodation
      • Mid Wales Attraction, Activity & Event Membership
      • Mid Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • North Wales Businesses
    • South Wales Businesses
      • South Wales Accommodation
      • South Wales Attraction & Activity Membership
      • South Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • Community Tourism Groups
    • National & Commercial
    • Supplier Membership
    • Representation
    • Membership Fees
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
  • Marketing
    • Visit Mid Wales
    • The Importance of Destination Marketing
    • Bedroom Browser Advertising 2024/25
    • Mid Wales Visitor Guide
    • TXGB
  • Resource Hub
    • 1. MEMBERS AREA
      • Information & Support
        • GDPR
        • TV and Copyright Licences
        • Setting up Google My Business
        • Book keeping & Payroll
        • Business Review
      • Press & PR Support
        • Mid Wales Media Hub
      • Member to Member
        • Menu Request
        • Brochure Request
        • Attractions & Activities Pass
        • FREE Browsers / Maps
      • Suppliers
    • Coronavirus Advice
    • Image Gallery
    • Trade Events
    • Latest News
    • Current Projects
    • Suppliers
  • Job Vacancies
  • Contact
Join Now



Latest News

MWT Members can access additional E-news content in the Members' Area.
Members' Area

Rallying call for Mid Wales tourism industry to ‘seize the day’

11/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Mid Wales tourism industry has been urged to grasp the air of staycation positivity that is engulfing the region to make it one of the UK’s most desirable leisure destinations.
 
The message of optimism was delivered at the 13th Mid Wales Tourism & Business Conference, held at the Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells, by a number of prominent speakers representing the breadth of the industry.
 
“The industry is bouncing back and this summer has been one of the best, if not the best ever, for a large number of us,” said Rowland Rees-Evans, chairman of MWT Cymru, who organised the conference.
“We have seen record numbers of people coming into Mid Wales. Staycationing looks as if it is going to be with us for some time to come, especially if people don’t have the confidence to travel abroad.
 
“Mid Wales has become a recognised destination and our job is to ensure it stays that way. We know that places like North Wales and Pembrokeshire have been very popular destinations for some time but I think Mid Wales is starting to catch up and long may it continue.
 
“Our challenge is to make sure that we can get these visitors to come back.”
 
But Mr Rees-Evans also warned of “dark clouds looming over the horizon” as the industry grapples with staff shortages, supply chain issues and the expected return of VAT to 20% from 12.5%. There will also be the 1.5% increase in National Insurance staff contributions for businesses to factor in.
 
“As an industry we are going to have to manage these changes carefully because they will affect our bottom line,” he said.
Picture
​The human resource shortfall was also highlighted by Arwyn Watkins OBE, managing director of Cambrian Training Company, the conference’s lead sponsor, who urged delegates to challenge the current education system to ensure that apprenticeships are given equal importance for school leavers as staying in education currently is.
 
“Changing the compulsory education system won’t win votes for politicians, but it will address the needs of the area which is more important,” said Mr Watkins.
 
But the new chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance, Suzy Davies, also encouraged delegates to “seize the day” and made her organisation’s priorities clear as the industry continues its recovery from the pandemic.
 
“We intend to continue as the strong and united voice for tourism in Wales whilst at the same time being a critical friend to the Welsh Government by campaigning for better economic conditions,” she said.
 
“I want to assure the industry that we are a champion for the private sector. Visit Wales and the Welsh Government can’t do everything so we look forward to working with them. We have to get the balance of partnership right.”
 
That message of unity was supported by Steve Hughson, chair of Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum, who praised the recent Visit Wales marketing campaigns that had raised the profile of the region to unprecedented levels.
 
“What is being done at the moment in the name of Mid Wales is absolutely magnificent,” he said, while reiterating that the forum will ensure that the “voice of tourism, hospitality and leisure is heard at the Welsh Government”.
 
Other enlightening presentations were delivered by travel journalist, York Membery, who gave insider advice on how to deal with the media, while Nerys Howell and Sian Roberts, from Loving Welsh Food, gave a light hearted lesson on improving customer service.
 
Community-led collaboration in Newtown and Rhayader was the topic of discussion addressed by Bill Stow, Rhayader 2000, Michael Booth, Dwr Cymru, and Stuart Owen, Open Newtown, while Lucy Von Weber, head of marketing at Visit Wales, reviewed their recent promotional campaigns and shared the latest data and research which led to their powerful autumn advertising campaign.
 
Brand specialist, Roger Pride, director of Heavenly, delivered advice to delegates on how to ensure their businesses are being noticed in a crowded market place.
 
In summing up the conference, MWT Cymru chief executive, Val Hawkins, said it had injected fresh energy into the tourism sector and encouraged delegates to spread the positivity across the region.
 
“We have welcomed a cross section of expert speakers with a wealth of knowledge in tourism to this conference which has been extremely well supported by a large number of attendees,” said Mrs Hawkins.
 
“We have a tremendous opportunity now to build the industry whilst at the same time we all need to listen to what our businesses are warning us about human resource shortages, supply chain issues and the pending return of VAT to 20%.”
 
Picture caption:
 
MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans addresses the conference.
 
Delegates are welcomed to the conference by Justin Baird-Murray, managing director of the Metropole Hotel & Spa.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 November 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017

    Categories

    All Coronavirus (COVID 19) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Events Industry News/Changes Marketing Member 2 Member MWT Meeting MWT Members MWT Membership Benefit MWT Project MWT Representation MWT Suppliers #RealCeredigion #RealMidWales Scam Warning Technology Visit Britain Visit Wales Wales Tourism Alliance

    RSS Feed

Find out More
Join Now
Call Now

Contact Us.

MWT Cymru
The Station
Machynlleth
​SY20 8TG

Tel: 01654 702653
​Email: info@mwtcymru.co.uk


Company Number: 2612356





​

Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy | Membership Terms & Conditions
Press enquiries: press@mwtcymru.co.uk 
>> See our Media & Press page here

​MWT Membership Helpline 01654 702653

Opening Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4.30pm

Closed Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays


Industry: @mwtcymru.co.uk | 
www.facebook.com/mwtcymru
​
Visitor: @visitmidwales | 
@showmewales 
| 
​
www.facebook.com/visitmidwales
​www.instagram.com/visitmidwales

Picture
MWT Cymru works closely with Visit Wales, the tourism team of Welsh Government.

​>> Top tips for working with Visit Wales


Picture
MWT Cymru are proud members of the Wales Tourism Alliance.

           >> Find out more about The WTA 

MWT Cymru
The Station | Machynlleth | Powys
01654 702653
Privacy Policy | Contact Us
©MWTCymru 2016 all rights reserved 
Company Registration Number: 2612356
 VAT Registration Number: 549824502
  • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Members
      • Our Partners
      • Visit Wales
  • Why Join?
    • Mid Wales Businesses
      • Mid Wales Accommodation
      • Mid Wales Attraction, Activity & Event Membership
      • Mid Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • North Wales Businesses
    • South Wales Businesses
      • South Wales Accommodation
      • South Wales Attraction & Activity Membership
      • South Wales Restaurant & Retail
    • Community Tourism Groups
    • National & Commercial
    • Supplier Membership
    • Representation
    • Membership Fees
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
  • Marketing
    • Visit Mid Wales
    • The Importance of Destination Marketing
    • Bedroom Browser Advertising 2024/25
    • Mid Wales Visitor Guide
    • TXGB
  • Resource Hub
    • 1. MEMBERS AREA
      • Information & Support
        • GDPR
        • TV and Copyright Licences
        • Setting up Google My Business
        • Book keeping & Payroll
        • Business Review
      • Press & PR Support
        • Mid Wales Media Hub
      • Member to Member
        • Menu Request
        • Brochure Request
        • Attractions & Activities Pass
        • FREE Browsers / Maps
      • Suppliers
    • Coronavirus Advice
    • Image Gallery
    • Trade Events
    • Latest News
    • Current Projects
    • Suppliers
  • Job Vacancies
  • Contact
Members Area
Join Now