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

Tributes paid to Mid Wales tourism “giant” Ian Rutherford

18/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Tributes have been paid to a businessman described as a “giant of the tourism industry within Wales” who died at his home in Llanegryn last week.
 
Ian Rutherford, until recently the owner of the award-winning King Arthur's Labyrinth, Corris Mine Explorers and Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth, was 77. He leaves his wife, Catrin and two children, Tesni and Tristan and four grandchildren.
 
Last December, Mr Rutherford joined an exclusive group when he was made a life member of MWT Cymru at the company’s virtual annual meeting.
MWT Cymru is an independent company that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
 
Having been involved in the Mid Wales tourism industry for nearly 50 years, Mr Rutherford was a former vice chairman and interim chief executive of MWT Cymru, also known as Mid Wales Tourism, based in Machynlleth.
 
He arrived in Mid Wales in 1972 to take over as general manager of Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog, having previously worked for a firm of accountants and consultants in London.
 
In 1993, he bought Corris Craft Centre, which had only six studios and a café at the time. Next, he decided to use his Engineering Degree and interest in King Arthur and ancient mythology to convert the abandoned underground slate mine into King Arthur’s Labyrinth visitor attraction which opened in 1994.
 
Mr Rutherford later added four additional craft studios, Corris Mine Explorers, Lost Legends of The Stone Circle and the Bwtri Welsh food and drink shop. Wishing to retire, he completed the sale of his business shortly before he died.
 
Shirley Owen, Corris Craft Centre’s marketing manager, said: “Ian was passionate about the high quality of tourism in Wales. He dedicated his time to the local, regional and national tourism industry where his bright ideas, dedication, drive and wit touched the hearts of so many.
 
“Ian has left behind the most wonderful legacy which will live on for many more people to enjoy.”
 
Mr Rutherford was involved with a forerunner to MWT Cymru, the Mid Wales Tourism Council, which became Mid Wales Tourism (MWT) in 1991. He then served as MWT’s chief executive for six months during the reorganisation of the Wales Tourist Board.
 
He had been involved with MWT since it was established and served as a director for many years before standing down last year.
 
Responding to the life membership award in December, Mr Rutherford said:  “I am really pleased that I have been honoured in such a way by my peers in the tourism industry. I have been involved in the tourism in Mid Wales for nearly 50 years and have been a great supporter of the industry working together.”
 
Former MWT Cymru chairman, Anne Lloyd Jones, a fellow life member and a personal friend of Mr Rutherford and his family, said: “Ian was such a lovely man, a real gentleman and a tower of strength who always gave sound advice.
 
“Mid Wales Tourism might not have survived without his leadership as interim chief executive when I was chairman. He will be very sadly missed.”
 
Current MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans added: “Ian was a giant in the tourism industry. I always appreciated his sense of humour, advice, knowledge and experience within the industry.
 
“Ian had been to the very top of the industry and had developed a good business. His passing is a big loss to the industry and especially to MWT Cymru.”
 
Val Hawkins, MWT Cymru’s chief executive, said: “Ian made a massive contribution to MWT Cymru and Mid Wales tourism in general over many years. I shall miss his support and wise words. Our thoughts are with Catrin and family at this very sad time.”
 
Picture caption:
 
The late Ian Rutherford, a giant of the tourism industry within Wales.
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