Smoke-free laws – Changes from 1 March 2021

On 1 March, the law around where people can smoke in Wales is changing. This means that hospital grounds, school grounds, public playgrounds, and outdoor care settings for children will be required to be smoke-free. It will be an offence to smoke in a smoke-free area and anyone caught breaking the law could face a £100 fine. The legislation will also make changes in the tourism sector. There are currently exemptions that allow smoking in self-contained holiday and temporary accommodation (cottages, caravans, chalets and Airbnb etc.) and for hotels, guesthouses, inns, hostels and members’ clubs to have smoking bedrooms. The new legislation keeps these exemptions, but only for a limited […]

International Traveller Research

VisitBritain have published the findings from the International Recovery Research on their corporate website on 3 February 2021. The purpose is to provide up-to-date insights on international travel demand and visitor needs as part of a recovery planning. The report provides the results from the first wave of the research, undertaken in December 2020, based on an online survey of potential visitors living in 14 key international markets for the UK. Please follow the link to read the report. https://www.visitbritain.org/node/123858/

Yr Wyddfa and Ogwen Parking and Transport Consultation and Workshops

The Snowdonia Partnership (SP) has been developing a draft Sustainable Parking and Transport strategy to help improve access and connectivity in the Yr Wyddfa and Ogwen areas of Snowdonia National Park. SP are asking local communities to shape that strategy and help plan and deliver improvements to the important issues of parking, public transport, walking and cycling routes. The closing date for comments is 12:59pm, Sunday 7 March 2021. https://www.snowdonpartnership.co.uk/parkingandtransport

Go North Wales Tourism February Trade News

We appreciate that it remains to be an extremely difficult, worrying and complex time for many businesses and individuals across North Wales with the COVID-19 pandemic but please remember that we are here to support you. We continue to monitor the circumstances as they are developing and also continue to engage with MPs and MSs, lobbying on issues on your behalf and making sure your voice is heard. If you have any questions/queries please do not hesitate to contact us, by email (contacts below), social media channels, online chat on the Trade website or phone. Please email jim.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk; eirlys.jones@gonorthwales.org.uk or deborah.nettleton@gonorthwales.org.uk with any issues etc you may have.Please  also make […]

Marketing – Moving Forward and Planning Ahead

We know that right now there is so much uncertainty, it’s hard to plan ahead. However, we can focus on what we are certain of – that North Wales remains a fantastic destination with a lot to offer its visitors. It has got no less beautiful or appealing over the last year and people everywhere are desperate to travel and visit new places. So it’s only a matter of when, and not if, our amazing region will be welcoming them again. In preparation, at North Wales Tourism, we have been working on our marketing plan to support the road to recovery and make sure that North Wales is at the […]

Regional Recovery 2021 – Business Summit 24th Feb 2021

Business Summit covering the latest investments, plans and supports on economic recovery for the North Wales Mersey Dee cross border region. Presentations from the Mersey Dee Alliance, Welsh Government, Cheshire & Warrington LEP, North Wales Economic Ambition Board and Growth Track 360. This free event online Feb 24th 10am to 3 pm includes Q&A and follow up business input. Click here to register today.

Brexit Transition

Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020 and the signing of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU, the UK Government has issued guidance for a wide range of sectors. More information can be found on: https://www.gov.uk/transition https://gov.wales/preparing-wales Guidance is now available for working in the following sectors from 1 January 2021. The telecoms and information services sector from January 2021http://bit.ly/3nqIqUC The sports and recreation sector from January 2021http://bit.ly/2JUXrAi The media and broadcasting sectors from January 2021http://bit.ly/2LB43nN The digital, technology and computer services sectors from January 2021http://bit.ly/3nsMEep The arts, culture and heritage sectors from January 2021http://bit.ly/35o2NLX The creative industries sector from […]

Webinar with What3Words – Recording now available

The What3Words webinar that took place before Christmas was recorded and is now available on our website. The free what3words app and website is used across the whole of the UK and around the globe and it’s the simplest way to talk about location. Street addresses weren’t designed for 2020. They aren’t accurate enough to specify precise locations, such as building entrances, and don’t exist for parks and many rural areas. what3words has divided the world into 3 metre squares and given each square a unique combination of three words. It’s the easiest way to find and share exact locations. To learn more click on the link below What3Words Webinar […]

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates for 2021

The UK Government has announced the rise in the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage from April 2021. For the first time, more younger people will be eligible for the National Living Wage, as the age threshold will be lowered from 25 to 23. In full, the increases are: National Living Wage (23+) to increase from £8.72 to £8.91National Minimum Wage (21-22) to increase from £8.20 to £8.36National Minimum Wage (18-20) to increase £6.45 to £6.56National Minimum Wage (under 18) to increase £4.55 to £4.62Apprenticeship Wage to increase from £4.15 to £4.30 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-announces-pay-rise-for-millions-of-people