It’s full steam ahead for the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highlands Railways thanks to a £3.1 million National Lottery grant

It’s full steam ahead for the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highlands Railways thanks to a £3.1 million National Lottery grant

NORTH WALES’S largest tourist attraction – the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highlands Railways, is celebrating after securing £3.1 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The £3,144,000 investment will boost the railways’ plans to attract more visitors by providing “a high-quality tourism experience”, and work, training and volunteering opportunities for the community of Porthmadog. It will also fund the restoration and conservation of buildings including the Boston Lodge Works which is in the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘oldest railway workshop in continuous operation’. And supporters will be providing an additional £900,000 of matched funding for the three-and-a-half-year project which, once it is complete,  should help attract up to 250,000 […]

Wales Tourism Business Barometer

The Wales Tourism Business Barometer provides a ‘snapshot’ of industry performance after important points in the tourism calendar. Findings for the summer period 2021 are now available which show: About half (48%) of operators have had more customers compared to a normal (pre-COVID) summer, about a third (31%) have had the same, and 21% have had fewer. All four regions of Wales have been busier than normal (pre-COVID) this summer, but South West Wales particularly so. 56% of businesses in this region have had more customers this summer compared to normal. Nearly all (97%) businesses are choosing to maintain some safety measures voluntarily that they are no longer required to maintain by law. There are many types […]

Return to Quality Grading Assessments

After a suspension in grading visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Visit Wales Quality Assurance team will be resuming their duties over the coming weeks. Much thought has been given to how they can return to assessing properties as safely as possible not only for the Quality Grading team but also for the tourism business. The Quality Advisors will have a considerable backlog of telephone calls to make, and because of this, it is felt that the best way to move forward and re start the grading process is, on an initial ‘trial basis’, to contact those businesses who have applied for quality grading for the very first time. […]

Wales : A Food Destination Workshops

Autumn zoom masterclasses: 1. The Best Customer Experience Date: 12 October  Time: 11amEnsure you and your new staff are ahead of the game by ensuring you join us for some top tips on how to offer the best customer experience possible Book your place here 2. Christmas Afternoon Tea Date: 14 October  Time: 11amWant your Afternoon Tea menu to be wrapped up and ready for Christmas? Our team of elves can help with that…! Book your place here 3. Welsh Christmas Drinks Ideas Date: 18 October  Time: 11amMake sure you’re sourcing a selection of local drinks to satisfy consumer demand by joining this masterclass which will also cover Cocktails and Mocktails recipes. […]

Go North Wales Tourism October 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. 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 sure that you are kept up to date with all the information as they happen by visiting our  Trade site www.northwalestourism.com and following us on our NWTBiz social media platforms (facebook and […]

Marketing and Promotional Opportunities

We know that right now there is still 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. 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 top of everyone’s new bucket lists of places to visit. It targets our UK and overseas market […]

RSP North Wales – Employer Survey

Are you able to recruit and retain staff with the right skills for your Business? Do you want to be part of the process of changing the skills landscape in the North Wales region? The North Wales Regional Skills Partnerships (RSP) wants to learn about the challenges and skills gaps facing businesses. Make your voice heard by completing the survey, which will be open until 12:00pm, 13 October 2021. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WH7WSJ2

Establishing a statutory registration or licensing scheme for holiday accommodation operators in Wales

Strategic Research & Insight (SRI), an independent Cardiff-based research agency has been commissioned by Welsh Government to interview stakeholders to explore establishing a statutory registration or licensing scheme for holiday accommodation operators in Wales. SRI will be speaking to stakeholders in Welsh Government, local authorities and trade associations in Wales, as well as researching best practice in other countries, to consider: Whether developing a registration scheme or licensing scheme would be appropriate in WalesThe options for how a scheme would be operated and delivered at national and/or local levelResources required for each of the best optionsHow a scheme would support wider areas of Welsh Government policy such as housing and […]