​Mid Wales tourism chief says MBE for chief executive is richly deserved

Val Hawkins, awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours list.

Rowland Rees-Evans, MWT Cymru chairman.

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.