North Wales Tourism have and are still working hard on behalf it’s members on issues that are affecting the industry.
We are in constant contact with the local MSs and MPs on these issues and are also lobbying side by side and working closely with the Wales Tourism Alliance to drive forward the importance of the industry to the economy of Wales and the effects and implications of these issues on the businesses and industry as a whole. We are also working closely with the local press and media to raise the issues affecting us to make sure the voice of our valuable industry is heard.
Amongst the issues we have undertaken are:
- 182 Threshold for Self Catering
- Second Homes
- Visitor Levy
- Statutory Licensing
- Reform of School Year
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 twitter), all of which are regularly updated.
Go North Wales Tourism Awards 2023
The seventh Go North Wales Tourism Awards was this year held on Thursday 23rd of November at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
We received over 220 applications, all worthy of recognition, such is the strength, depth and variety of the tourism and hospitality offer across our region. The hardest part of any awards falls to the judges, who had the unenviable task of shortlisting the finalists for the evening.
Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted nominees.
Winners on the night were:
- B&B, Inn and Guest House of the Year sponsored by Aber Falls Distillery – Riversdale House, Llangollen
- Large Hotel of the Year (50 + rooms) sponsored by Castell Howell Foods Ltd – Rossett Hall Hotel, Rossett, Wrexham
- Small Hotel of the Year (50 rooms or less) sponsored by Carbon Zero Renewables Limited – Plas Dinas Country House Hotel, Bontnewydd
- Self Catering of the Year sponsored by Pario Leisure Group – The Rocks at Plas Curig, Capel Curig
- Glamping, Camping, Caravanning and Holiday Park of the Year sponsored by GreenWood Family Park – Tan y Bryn Glamping & Touring, Llandudno Junction
- Eating Out Experience Award sponsored by Office Equipment Systems Ltd – The Lemon Tree, Wrexham
- Experience of the Year sponsored by Snowdonia Hospitality & Leisure Ltd – Go Below Underground Adventures
- Visitor Attraction of the year sponsored by SF Parks – Llangollen & Corwen Railway
- Event of the Year Award sponsored by Penderyn Distillery Llandudno – Always Aim High Events
- Marketing & Media Recognition Award sponsored by Heart North and Mid Wales – Bearded Men Adventures, Llangollen
- New Tourism Business of the Year Award sponsored by Thornley Leisure Parks – Tree Tops and Train Tracks, Mold
- Resilience & Innovation Award sponsored by Plas Dinas Country House Hotel – Go Below Underground Adventures
- Pet friendly Award sponsored by holidaycottages.co.uk – Rivercatcher, Corwen
- Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by Development Bank of Wales – Llandudno Bay Hotel, Llandudno
- Tourism Supplier of the Year sponsored by Booking.com – Parisellas Ice Cream, Conwy
- Young Person in Tourism and Hospitality sponsored by Coleg Llandrillo – Megan Harris Abergele Golf Club
- Skills Enhancement in Tourism & Hospitality Award sponsored by Wales Ambassador Scheme – Rhian Jones, Conwy Tourist Guide
- Cruise North Wales sponsored by Cruise Wales – Wales Best Guides
- Service to Tourism Award sponsored by Tir Prince Leisure Group / Llandudno Pier Trading – Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay
To relive the evening please have a look at our image library – https://gonorthwalestourismawards.website/gallery-2/
Website listing – Updating your Details
Your individual listing on our website is your main opportunity to present your business to the public. However, like any advertising it must be regularly maintained to ensure that it is correct, current and really works for you.
- When did you last check it?
- When did you last update it?
- Are your pictures great?
- Is your listing better than that of competitors?
Please login and update your entry on https://extranet-wales.newmindets.net/ If you have forgotten your password please click on the “forgotten your password” link and enter your registered email address (to reset). If you can’t remember your registered email address, please call 01492 531731 and ask for a member of the digital team alternatively email digital@gonorthwales.org.uk or visit https://northwalestourism.com/go-north-wales/update-your-go-north-wales-listing/ for assistance with updating your details
Late Availability
Let us help you promote any late availability or midweek deals.
All you have to do is complete the short form here: https://northwalestourism.com/late-availability-form/
Visitors will be able to search through all late availability dates by location and property type from the Go North Wales website. This will also be promoted across our social channels.
Promote your Events
Are you hosting an event in North Wales? Would you like to have exposure on our events section for free? Simply fill out the form on the link below and your event could appear on our webpage.
Facebook/Twitter – Do you Follow Us
Don’t forget, if you are on social media you can follow us on both Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @nwtbiz @gonorthwales – so if you have content that you would like us to share, let us know and we’ll promote it to our audience! If possible please link to our destination platforms in your posts so that we can see you and share. Social Media and digital marketing are very important parts of the modern marketing mix and a great way to get your business promoted. Remember, we can’t share your social media stories if we don’t know about them.
NWTBiz Facebook Forum
We have a closed Facebook group specifically for members where you can discuss issues, ask for help as well as support each other in our collected aim to make our region one of the top UK tourist destinations. You will need to request to join this by searching NWTBiz and we will accept you as a member.
Special Offers
All members can create special offers at no cost. They show on the special offers page on the gonorthwales website and it is another sales opportunity that is free to use.
If you would like to submit your offer to include on our website you can do so by login in into your extranet account (instructions on how to do so here) or emailing digital@gonorthwales.org.uk Also please remember if you have any availability or late cancellations you would like us to promote please send details to digital@gonorthwales.org.uk.
Banner Adverts
These are adverts, separate from your normal web listing that show on the home page and the sub- pages. Adverts cost from £250 and when clicked the user is taken to a location defined by the advertiser, usually the member’s own website, rather than your page on our site. For further information on banner advertising please contact digital@gonorthwales.org.uk.
Go North Wales Promotion in Llandudno
Go North Wales is currently promoting a competition on its website and social platforms.
The competition is promoted widely via our competition QR code which can be found on distributed flyers and on the old M&S Window Shop in Llandudno which allows passers-by to scan the QR code on the window which will then direct them to our website to enter their details for the competition.
We are continually looking for a variety of prizes to offer throughout the year and if you would like to contribute to this please let us know.
In return, we can offer advertising on our website, including a large banner on the competition page and two side banners on our homepage. We will also link to your website and share the email data collected to add to your own mailing list. We will also promote it across our social channels.
Please email digital@gonorthwales.org.uk if this is of interest.
Let’s Keep In Touch
Our main means of communication with you, our members, is by email. We send out regular email messages to all members or to specific sections of the membership. We try to restrict the number of emails to key topics but also send out regular newsletters covering minor topics. Old copies of newsletters are available online.
In addition to emails, we post short-term news on our closed Facebook Group.
Members’ website – www.northwalestourism.com
The members website is another important source of information. Do look at it regularly for information on training courses, offers and discounts, forthcoming meetings and reports on past meetings. You will also find information about membership, managing your web page, details of the Board, latest research documents and strategies and much more.
2024 Year Planner
Please email deborah.nettleton@gonorthwales.org.uk to receive your copy.
The Japanese Connection: A Report on Recent Interactions between Japan and North Wales
In recent months, there has been a significant increase in the interaction and exchange between visitors from Japan and North Wales. This snapshot aims to highlight the various events and activities that took place during this period, promoting cultural exchange and fostering mutual understanding between the two regions.
Delegation Visit to Anglesey Sea Zoo:
A delegation from Oita City and Oita Sea Aquarium visited Anglesey Sea Zoo for a two-day exploratory meeting, focusing on identifying common synergies between the two zoos. Additionally, the group actively participated in a beach cleaning activity, emphasising the importance of environmental conservation.
Enrichment Experience for Oita University Students:
Students from Oita University engaged in a five-day enrichment experience after completing a four-week English language course at Aberystwyth University. Split into four groups, the students visited prominent locations such as Anglesey Sea Zoo, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Plas Menai, and the Waterloo Hotel in Betws y Coed. This experience aimed to provide the students with a diverse cultural and educational experience in North Wales.
Visit of Acclaimed Walking Group:
A renowned walking group from Japan made a four-day visit to Llandudno. Despite challenging weather conditions, they embarked on a five-hour hike up and over the Great Orme, thoroughly enjoying the experience. The next day, the group held a Japanese showcase at the Guildhall in Conwy, hosted by the Mayor of Conwy, Cllr Evie Roberts. The showcase included a fashion show, Japanese tea making, music performances, and the creation of ninja costumes for attending children. To add to the glamour, a memorable photoshoot took place at the illustrious Conwy Castle, with the models bringing their costumes all the way from Japan.
Twinning Anniversary Celebration:
A delegation from Conwy Town Council, led by Mayor Cllr Evie Roberts, had the privilege to attend the British Embassy in Tokyo and subsequently traveled to Himeji to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the twinning between Conwy and Himeji. This visit showcased the strong ties and enduring friendship between the two cities.
The recent increase in interactions between Japan and North Wales has provided numerous opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration. The visitations of delegations, students, and walking groups have fostered mutual understanding and appreciation. Furthermore, the celebratory event in Himeji reinforced the strength of the twinning relationship between Conwy and Himeji. These engagements contribute to building long-lasting connections, promoting tourism, and enhancing cultural understanding between Japan and North Wales.
Lochaber
Our CEO, was invited to present at the Lochaber tourism ideas week. Lochaber, known as the adventure capital of the UK, provided the perfect platform for Jim to share his insightful ideas on branding North Wales as the Adventure Capital of Europe.
The presentation aimed to highlight the potential of North Wales as a premier adventure destination, demonstrating the numerous all encompassing, thrilling and exhilarating activities we have to offer to visitors from around the world. Also to share some of the issues affecting our industry, which are not to dissimilar the issues they are facing.
Bookability and Marketing
To help us understand the current position in terms of bookability and marketing of Wales businesses we would appreciate your time in completing this survey.
TXGB is a digital platform that brings together tourism businesses to drive sales and boost productivity by connecting the market in a new and unique way.
It is a free-to-join platform that uses your current booking system to connect you to a wider range of distributors such as Visit Wales and other destination websites. There is no set up costs. You simply pay a 2.5% booking fee to TXGB only on bookings generated – plus commission of the chosen distributor.
Using the Tourism Exchange can:
- provide an easy way of working with more channels without increasing admin, reaching more customers, growing sales, reduce dependency on a single sales channel and reduce commission costs
- provide access to more distribution channels and to make by-products bookable in national and regional destination marketing campaigns.
For further information on TXGB and to get connected https://northwalestourism.com/business-support/marketing/txgb/
Are you engaging with Visit Wales Opportunities?
Wales Tourism Product Database (WTPD) – Are you listed on the WTPD database that feeds the Visit Wales website? If you are not, are graded and would like to appear on the website please contact visitwalesopps@northwalestourism.com
Do you have a product ready to sell to the Travel Trade and Business Events market? If so, you could also be included on these separate websites. MeetInWales.com, TravelTrade.VisitWales.com
Working with the B2B markets on Travel Trade and Business Events, provides a great opportunity to attract a wider global reach from new and existing markets to your tourism business.
By establishing effective relationships with key tour operators, travel agents, business event buyers, business event planners and agencies, and engaging a mix of distribution partners, you can find an effective route to market and reach your target audiences.
To learn more about how you can get involved in Visit Wales Travel Trade and Business Events promotion please email visitwalesopps@northwalestourism.com
Put your Business in the Spotlight for 2024
Our leaflet distribution service delivers over 3 million pieces of print to points across North and Mid Wales making sure that our attraction and activity businesses get the best exposure possible. The service provides:
- A 12 month fully comprehensive leaflet distribution service for tourism attractions, activities and events
- Advice on specific target areas across North & Mid Wales and parts of North West of England
- Highly versatile range of leaflet display systems designed to meet customer requirements including wall mounted and free standing racks plus table top units
- On-line reporting (password protected) tool to evaluate effectiveness of your distribution performance.
If you have not yet booked your distribution for 2024 season please contact a member of the distribution team on 01492 531731 or to book your distribution space please email croeso@nwt.co.uk.
£300k Secured to Deliver Vital Jobs and Training Academies in North Wales
Conwy Employment Hub secured up to £300,000 to deliver vital jobs and education training academies across the county for the next 12 months.
The Pathways to Employment project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered and managed on a regional basis.
Together they will be targeting industries with a labour shortage locally, including Energy and Environment, Construction, Advanced Manufacturing, Creative and Digital, Tourism and Hospitality, Health, and Food and Farming.
Conwy Employment Hub’s grant was for £292,510 and in past weeks training has begun, led by key organisations in each sector.
Among those to enrol on a course was Haydn Foulkes, who attended sessions with Go North Wales in Colwyn Bay, at the Quay Hotel in Deganwy and the Hilton Hotel, Dolgarrog, led by North Wales Tourism
See full details on the link below:
UK Government Chancellor’s Autumn Statement: 22/11/2023
The following are some key headlines from the UK Government Chancellor’s Autumn statement relevant to our sector.
- Growth forecasts significantly down. The OBR forecasts 0.7% growth in 2023 (down from previous 1.8%) and 1.4% in 2025 (down from 2.5%).
- No increase in alcohol duty before August 2024.
- Employee NI cut from 12% to 10% from January 6th – mid financial year – but no reduction in employer NI rates.
- From 1 April 2024 an increase in the National Living Wage of 9.8% to £11.44, and a lowering of the age threshold from 23 to 21 years old.
- A commitment to new and expanding existing Youth Mobility Schemes.
- Sadly no commitment to look again at VAT RES – the VAT reclaim scheme for international visitors.
You can access the Treasury’s ‘Green Book’ and associated Autumn Statement documents such as policy costings via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-statement-2023
The Structure of the School Year
Welsh Government (WG) want your views on proposals to amend school term dates. So that terms are more equal in length, with more evenly distributed breaks, for maintained schools in Wales.
WG are consulting on 3 matters:
- The principle of modifying the school year
- Options for implementing changes to the school year including being made in the 2025 to 2026 school year
- Suggested term dates for 2025 to 2026 school year
Deadline to submit your responses – 12 February 2024
https://www.gov.wales/structure-school-year
Workplace Recycling Regulations
The Workplace Recycling Regulations were approved by the Senedd on the 28 November and will come into force on 6 April 2024. This represents a significant next step on Wales’ journey as a world-leading recycling nation and is a critical action to tackle the climate and nature emergency, and make progress towards a stronger, greener economy as committed to within our Programme for Government.
The regulations will mean that all business, public and third sector workplaces will be required to separate key recyclable materials in the same way households already do across most of Wales. This will reduce the amount of waste we send to incineration and landfill and increase the quality and quantity of recyclable materials we collect from workplaces. This will in turn capture important materials to be put back into the Welsh economy as well as improving the consistency of how we collect and manage recycling.
The Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling: a Code of Practice for Wales (‘the Code’) which sets out practical guidance on how to comply with the new law has also been published.
If you would like to read the Ministerial Statement, which includes a link to the Code of Practice, you can do so here: Written Statement: Making the Workplace Recycling Regulations and publication of the Code of Practice (4 December 2023) | GOV.WALES
Campaign website is here: www.gov.wales/workplacerecycling
Carbon Zero Renewables are providing North Wales Tourism members with a free audit on energy saving.
The audit will include a site visit talking through some options and providing advice. This will be at no obligation or cost to you and will take approx. 1 – 1 ½ hours of your time. It does not include a written report due to costs but they will provide you with verbal advice on things and feasibility.
UK Leisure Living have a lot of experience in the tourism and hospitality sector and are in a great position to help your business. The survey will be undertaken by Neil who has over 12 years’ experience in energy saving and was a former adviser of renewable energy projects.
For your free no obligation audit please call 08450 34 35 40.
