​PIWS is running a FREE online one-hour workshop for event organisers, with the aim of providing a practical foundation for creating inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities. The session covers core accessibility principles, legal responsibilities, and effective strategies to enhance accessibility in services and spaces.

​Register and choose your date for a free one-hour workshop

In addition, PIWS offers support for businesses looking to improve their accessibility, which includes reviewing access statements and providing feedback. This service is free of charge and aims to help businesses enhance their inclusivity practices. Email [email protected] and PIWS will provide feedback where necessary and suggest ways to improve accessibility details, ensuring your statement is informative and effective for visitors.

A Reflection on Our Meeting at Lake Vyrnwy: Supporting the Future of Mid Wales
By Zoe Hawkins, Chief Executive, MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism)

On the 2nd and 3rd of October, we had the opportunity to attend two important meetings at Lake Vyrnwy with the Senedd's Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee. These discussions allowed MWT members and industry leaders to speak directly to decision-makers about the unique challenges facing Mid Wales.

I’d like to personally thank everyone who attended the evening and breakfast meetings,  as well as those businesses that provided feedback and shared their concerns prior to the meetings. I know it’s no small thing to step away from your businesses - especially in the current climate - and your dedication speaks volumes about the passion we all share for the future of Mid Wales.

A special thanks to Anthony Rosser and all the staff at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel for hosting the events.

Evening Discussion: Industry Leaders Come Together

The evening meeting provided industry leaders from across the region with a rare opportunity to speak candidly about the pressing issues we face. A major topic was the introduction of the 182 rule for self catering, and the proposed closure of three Natural Resources Wales (NRW) visitor centres, which could significantly impact our tourism economy. These centres attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, supporting local businesses and injecting vital income into our communities.

The closure of these sites exemplifies how decisions made by one department can have unintended ripple effects across other sectors, often without consideration of the broader impact. The conversations reinforced the need for greater communication between Welsh Government departments and a better understanding of how interconnected industries like tourism and farming are in Mid Wales.

Statutory Licensing and Tourism Tax

One key issue that will likely come before the committee is the introduction of statutory licensing or registration for all tourism businesses. While there is support for a registration scheme, concerns were raised about the potential shift to a full licensing system and the heavy burden it could place on small, family-run enterprises. Without adequate enforcement resources, there’s a risk that some businesses will continue to operate underground, exacerbating an already uneven playing field where compliant businesses bear additional burdens.

We support a 'light touch' registration scheme, ensuring that resources are allocated to enforce consistent regulations for all operators. Statutory licensing is also expected to act as a precursor to the proposed tourism tax, where registered businesses will be responsible for collecting this tax. If enforcement is insufficient and some businesses remain unregistered, legitimate operators will again bear the brunt of compliance.

Breakfast Meeting: Member Businesses Share Their Concerns

The following morning’s breakfast meeting offered an intimate setting for member businesses to share their concerns directly with committee members. These businesses are the backbone of our rural economy, yet they often feel the most impact from policies that don’t take into account the unique challenges of operating in Mid Wales.

The Bigger Picture: Cumulative Effects and Underinvestment

A recurring theme throughout both meetings was the cumulative effect of policies across various sectors. From recycling regulations and the 182-day rule for self-catering businesses, to energy limitations, underinvestment in infrastructure and transport links.

The closure of NRW sites is just one example of how disconnected decisions can have profound effects on our industry. It was also emphasised that Mid Wales is unique and cannot be treated with the same policies that may work in urban centres or regions dealing with over-tourism.

Our economy is fragile, our tourism season is short, and our businesses are often small and family-run. Policies must be tailored to reflect this reality if they are to support the long-term sustainability of our communities.

A Call for More Engagement

Both the evening and breakfast meetings highlighted the need for greater engagement between decision-makers and those working on the ground. True understanding of the challenges we face in Mid Wales can only be built through direct interaction, and I hope the committee took away the message that our region must be treated as a distinct area with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

More visits like this are essential to show policymakers the real issues that our businesses, communities, and industries face daily. Only by visiting the region and speaking with those who live and work here can they gain the insights needed to make informed decisions that benefit our rural economy.

As the old saying goes, "those closest to the problem are often closest to the solution." The voices of Mid Wales must be heard if we are to shape policies that support - not hinder - our future.

Looking Ahead

Once again, I want to thank everyone who attended and provided feedback. Your voices are invaluable, and it’s only through continued collaboration that we can support our industry and our communities. The decisions being made now will shape the future of our region for generations to come.

While politicians may come and go, the policies they implement leave lasting impacts on the businesses, people, and communities of Mid Wales.

As Chief Executive of MWT Cymru, I am committed to ensuring that our voices continue to be heard. Let’s keep these important discussions going, and together, we can ensure that Mid Wales remains a vibrant, thriving region for years to come.

After the success of promoted off-road cycle tourism routes such as King Alfred's Way and Traws Eryri. Cycling UK, formerly the Cyclist's Touring Club, is proposing their next promoted route explores Shropshire and the Welsh Marches.
 
"The Marcher Castles Way will be a circular route, approx 280 km long, beginning in Shrewsbury. The route will link together the best of existing promoted routes and heritage locations, offering an exciting new sustainable tourism offer in the area, and providing new opportunities for people to enjoy and connect with nature, landscape and local history."
 
Full consultation details are available online here: https://arcg.is/181SGX (with a link at the end to offer your feedback on the proposals).

Shrewsbury - Wroxeter Roman City -  Ironbridge Gorge WHS - Wenlock Edge - Brown Clee - Titterstone Clee - Ludlow - Knighton - Offa's Dyke - Kerry Ridgeway / Newtown - Montgomery - Stiperstones - Long Mynd - Shrewsbury.

 

Accommodation, attractions, tours and events can reach new customers through a broad range of distribution channels and unique campaigns, brought together in one platform.

That platform is Tourism Exchange Great Britain (TXGB), but what is it and how does it work? What are the benefits for your business?

catch up with our short webinar (recorded in August) all about TXGB, including case studies and answers to frequently asked questions.

​If you want to enable more online bookings, or become bookable online for the first time, this free 30 minute Zoom webinar is for you.

​Passcode for MWT Members: kq$3YXti

​Passcode for MWT Members: 8UM?wWH6

“The SEO and Digital Marketing webinar was very interesting and informative. Thank you! I’m in the process of updating our website so the resources shared and lessons learnt will come in very useful.”
Maria Jones, Ty Llewelyn Glamping & Camping

Links to the main resources referenced in the webinar:

Chrome plugins:
All in One SEO Analyzer
Detailed SEO

Google Trends - search for keyword trends over time.   

SEO software:
SEMRush
ahrefs (free tier available - see "Get started for free")  

LLMs (Large Language Models):
​ChatGPT (create an account to save the prompts you type in and their responses) 
Claude AI
Google Gemini AI  

⚠️ Remember if you upload documents to a LLM (like ChatGPT) to turn off the "share with everyone" setting, to stop your data being used to train the system for other people's responses. In ChatGPT this is in Settings.

"Digital strategist" prompt that we used: Act as an expert digital strategist. I want to rank for 'camping mid wales'. Look at the digital landscape for that term and make recommendations which channels I should be using.  

AlsoAsked - search term research website - find the questions people are asking about your industry. 3 free searches per day.   ​

As a result of the feedback from our MWT members and engagement at recent webinars, Jaymie and Jon are offering a unique opportunity to empower anyone keen to further their digital marketing and AI expertise.

A message from Jaymie and Jon -

We're looking to form a group to tackle the challenges faced by mid Wales tourism businesses, help you become more independent and less reliant on third parties, and so we learn more about the sector ourselves.

We're putting together a 10-week AI bootcamp which will:

• Teach you AI fundamentals, tools, and techniques
• Equip you with the skills to examine and use the data in your business
• Dramatically reduce the creation time and cost of your digital marketing
• Address real-world challenges, as introduced by members of the group​

Passcode for MWT Cymru members: gyj$?s8N

It's been a busy few weeks at MWT Cymru. Zoe Hawkins, our CEO, represents members' interests on a number of different committees and forums to ensure your voices are heard. 

Here's a flavour of some of the work we've been doing, and continue to do, behind the scenes - 

• Gwynedd & Eryri 2035: Strategic Partnership Board
  This sets out principles and objectives for 2035 relating to the new tourism strategy and inputs into the evolved destination management structure and work plan, and looks for ways that tourism and local communities can work closer together. We are delighted to attend these meetings to represent the Meirionnydd area.
  
  
• Caravan & Camping Forum for Wales
  We attend this twice yearly forum to connect with this important sector. 
  ​
• Economy & Rural Affairs Committee
  As per Zoe's recent email, the committee is meeting in Lake Vyrnwy this autumn and Zoe is assisting the secretariat to co-ordinate invitations to meet with committee members. This is a chance for a small group of businesses to share personal experiences and highlight specific challenges impacting our businesses and communities. If you are interested in attending and supporting MWT's efforts at this event, please email [email protected]
  
  
• NRW Visitor Centres Closures
  MWT Cymru, The Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum, and Wales Tourism Alliance have issued a joint press release to highlight concerns about the closure of high profile visitor centres currently managed by Natural Resources Wales, and written to the Chief Executive of NRW. A meetings has taken place with NRW and discussions are ongoing.
  
  
• Business News Wales – Tourism Podcast
  Zoe also participated in a ‘State of the Sector’ Business News Wales podcast as part of Wales Tourism Week with Suzy Davies (Wales Tourism Alliance Chair) and Jim Jones (North Wales Tourism) – link to podcast https://businessnewswales.com/tourism-wales-podcast-guide/
  
  
• Bank of England:
  MWT Cymru will be to taking part in a virtual ‘off the record’ Round table event this month.
  
  
• Member events / webinars:
  It's been great to see so many members joining us for our virtual webinars in recent weeks, with a range of guest speakers focusing on important topics including working with the Visit Wales Travel Trade and Business Events team, an introduction to AI, improving your digital marketing and SEO, and a focus on furnished holiday lettings and the implications of the abolishment of the FHL tax regime from April 2025. Recordings have been shared in our e-news updates and will be added to the Members area of www.mwtcymru.co.uk 
  
  
• Visit Mid Wales:
  MWT is investigating options to integrate an AI Chatbot into regional website in addition to a number of enhancement to improve bookablity options for both accommodation and non-accommodation. Our Autumn campaign includes stargazing and waterfalls themes promoted via PR/media, social channels and web.

MWT ‘How’s Business Survey’ April – August 2024

Thank you to everyone who responded to our recent 'How's Business' Survey.
 
Key Findings

• Revenue & Profitability - Margins very tight due to increased overheads / staff costs across all sectors.
• Ceredigion businesses have seen bookings generally hold steady this year - concerned that Autumn and Winter will realistically bring a decline. 
• Southern Snowdonia businesses show a decline in bookings and pessimistic about recovery this year
• Powys businesses are remaining steady year-on-year, but are seeing a decline in forward bookings for the later season

 
How’s Business Quotes:

Gwynedd Attraction: Fewer visitors generally, and increased staffing costs. Wales has always had rainy days but this issue is now a major factor in our declining visitor numbers.
 
Powys Attraction: Restrictions on growth such as car parking and infrastructure are all having a huge effect. The business continues to grow, but between lack of space, a LA that has confused and uncoordinated strategic plans where social housing trumps tourism expansion/development
 
Ceredigion Attraction & Accommodation: Fewer overseas visitors. Labour and general costs shot up this year making profitability more difficult.  What's going to happen to visitors numbers this Autumn/winter?
 
Powys Attraction: Sadly far fewer English tourists this year. Their main crumbles are the 20 MPH, feeling Wales does not really want tourists, concern of the proposed tourism tax. Many local self-catering people have sold up over the 182 day issue which again does not help attractions. Our rates will go up by £10.000 next year, and staffing costs are rapidly increasing. General feeling is that Welsh tourism is on the decline due to Welsh Government interventions.
 
Self Catering: We are farming and running this as additional business and it is getting too much.  The barn was converted to be a s/c holiday let under National Park planning regulations and we are unable to sell it for habitation so have our hands tied. We manage one cottage for a family member and they have decided to sell rather than carry on.
 
Hotel (Powys): Staffing is the biggest issue for my hotel. we're not easy to get to unless you have a car. The 20mph speed limit has now cost my business £25k in lost revenue this year alone.

Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA)
​
2024 Wales Tourism Week (WTW) Senedd Reception was held on Tuesday 16th July 24 providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues impacting our industry, and it was also a time to showcase the quality of our offer.

MWT Cymru attends regular WTA forum meetings to champion the industry.

​If you have any questions about the representational work we do at MWT, please email [email protected] ​

A message from Visit Wales - 

​Register now for the Visit Wales marketing webinar to hear about our plans for Year of Croeso 2025 and our flagship new marketing campaign for Wales.  

The session will take place via Microsoft Teams Live Event* on 17 October 2024 from 2:00 pm – 3.30 pm.
We will be introducing our 2025 campaign plans, that will be delivered under the umbrella of the themed year. The session will also include updates and overviews of:

• Recent and current marketing activity
• Travel Trade activity
• New industry facing website
• National Tourism Awards for Wales 2025
  
  

You will also have the opportunity to raise questions during a short moderated question and answer* session. 

Resources will be available to all those attending including a breakdown of audience types for the themed year 2025.
Please register for your place by 4:00 pm, 14 October on: Business Wales Events Finder - Visit Wales marketing webinar (business-events.org.uk)
​
All attendees will receive a meeting link prior to the event.
 
*As an attendee of a Microsoft Teams Live Event, you can watch live events and participate in the moderated Q&A. You can't share audio or video. Before joining this event, attendees are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the platform:

• Attend a live event in Microsoft Teams - Microsoft Support
• Participate in a Q&A in a live event in Microsoft Teams - Microsoft Support

I want to share some thoughts on the recent announcement by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) regarding the closure of three visitor centres in our region — Bwlch Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth, Ynyslas, and Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau. These closures, aimed at addressing a £13 million budget shortfall, have understandably raised concerns within our tourism community.

Mid Wales is a rural area with a delicate economy, and decisions like this can have far-reaching consequences. These visitor centres play a crucial role in attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, supporting local jobs, and sustaining our towns and communities. The potential loss of over 260 jobs as a result of these closures would be a significant challenge for our region to absorb.

Tourism is the second-largest employer in Mid Wales, and over the past few years our sector has faced numerous uncertainties. The news of these closures adds to the anxiety felt by many of our members. We are calling on NRW to carefully consider the impact of this decision on our communities and businesses and are urging them to find new management partners before closing these centres. Closing them without a clear plan for the future could have a lasting impact on our region.

While we understand the financial pressures faced by the Welsh Government and NRW, it's important to balance these concerns with the well-being of our local communities and businesses. We believe that thoughtful decision-making, which takes into account the unique challenges of rural areas like Mid Wales, is crucial.

We plan to raise this issue at the upcoming Mid Wales Tourism Regional Forum on behalf of our businesses. Additionally, we will be writing to our Members of the Senedd to encourage the Welsh Government to reconsider this decision. It’s important to highlight that if these sites close before new management partners are found, the impact on our region and the tourism sector could be significant. We believe that with careful consideration and collaboration, we can find a way to mitigate these potential challenges and protect the future of tourism in Mid Wales.

Our goal is to ensure that these vital centres remain operational, supporting our economy and the communities that rely on them. By working together, we can help safeguard the future of our region.

If any members wish to discuss the direct impacts these closures may have on their businesses, please reach out to me directly [email protected] 

The more examples we can gather, the stronger our case will be. If you have any figures on the number of visitors you receive from these sites, or any figures you could share which could strengthen our efforts please get in touch. 

Zoe Hawkins
Chief Executive 
MWT Cymru 

Visit Wales have announced extended entry deadlines for all regional tourism awards in Wales: National Tourism Awards for Wales 2025 – revised application deadlines

The deadline for our Mid Wales Tourism Awards has also been extended to midnight on 6 September 2024 so you have as much time to enter as businesses in other regions!

We know it's a busy time for you all, but please use this extension to enter the awards if you haven't already done so, and polish your entry 'til it shines!

If you've already entered - thank you and good luck!
​
https://www.midwalestourismawards.co.uk/