Wales_Tourism_03_ENG by Terry Evans

Edition 1 • November 2003

Cynghrair Twristiaeth Cymru

Wales Tourism Alliance

WTA Conference 2003 Special Our Our Plans Plans For For Growth Growth

Why People Are Paramount

Llandudno – Better Than Nice

Our Plans For Growth

Minister Backs Alliance

WTA CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Power Rests With Our People By Julian Burrell, Wales Tourism Alliance Chairman We must also get over to all concerned the disparate nature of tourism operators that make up the industry. There is the smaller operator who does not want to be herded into boxes to suit the requirements of a marketing system. There are the unknowns – those members of the trade that we have little or no contact with – that we must find and persuade to participate with the rest of the industry.

to all our readers! It is a great pleasure to introduce you all to our first edition of Twristiaeth, the Wales Tourism Alliance magazine, which has been published to coincide with the second WTA conference in Llandudno. This magazine, and its stories of WTA activity over the year, demonstrates just how far as an organisation the Alliance has come in just over a year. Eighteen months ago it would have been unthinkable that the tourism industry in Wales would have shown the cohesion, determination or capability to lift its game and run two national conferences, represent the interests of all industry operators at all levels of political and trade influence and play an equal part in a triumvirate of authority alongside the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Tourist Board. That is where we find ourselves today. I would like to thank all six fellow members of the Board of Directors of the WTA for their selfless donation of time and assistance. In a uniquely constructed and manageable company structure, the Board enjoys the strengths of full sectoral and geographical representation. This is only effective as long as all participants are willing and enthusiastic – and that has certainly been the case in my term as Chairman since April 2002. I would also like to thank all of the people who make up our member organisations for their continued financial and personal support. WTA is only as successful as the If you would like further information about the Wales Tourism Alliance please contact us at the address below: Wales Tourism Alliance, Floor One, Dominions House North, Queen Street, Cardiff. CF10 2AR TEL: 029 2038 4440 FAX: 029 2039 9392

strength of its parts and I am very grateful for the help and advice I have received from all parts of the industry in Wales. From even a quick glance at these words, it is not difficult to find the secret of our success in 2003 – our industry’s people. The WTA team has worked together willingly to seek constructive solutions to the sometimes very difficult issues facing the industry. We are not always in agreement but we are always determined to find unified and positive answers. If our people are the essence of WTA’s achievements, then they are of paramount importance to our industry’s future success. Staffing is without doubt the biggest single challenge facing some sectors of our industry. The recruitment and retention of staff remains the key issue facing many of our businesses. If we fail to get staffing right, then there will be serious implications for our pan-Wales aspirations of quality of product and of the services we offer. The continued development of our individual businesses is essential in our quest for sustainability and economic growth. WTA Conference 2003 will concentrate on people and development for the near two days that we are together. We are delighted to offer sponsored sessions to point conference attendees in the right direction to boosting their businesses – to finding the right people and utilising their skills.

And there are the most important people of all – The Customers. A recent look at the Tourism Strategy for Ireland came up with this quotation: ”The tourism product includes, importantly, the interaction with people”.

The WTA team has worked together willingly to seek constructive solutions to the sometimes very difficult issues

How do we in Wales compare with the perception of a welcoming country such as Ireland? How do we (and those outside the industry) interact with our visitors? We must make a combined effort to understand the needs and demands of the customer and translate this into the tourism experience in Wales.

A WARM WELCOME

People are paramount to the Tourism Industry in Wales. It must be our determination in the Wales Tourism Alliance to pursue the possibilities, practicalities and positive benefits of a much closer working relationship with everyone involved in tourism. Wherever people come into contact with the Wales tourism experience – whether a small operator, occasional visitor, part-time worker or policy maker – we must set sights and targets higher and move forward on the difficult road to excellence.

WTA NEWS

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VIEWS

Net Gains OUR WALES TOURISM ALLIANCE now has it’s own website to take the tourism industry in Wales to the world and keep industry professionals in touch with the latest information and issues. The website has been up and running since March. The site – www.wta.org.uk – is full of information for WTA members and those working in the industry. It contains the latest details on WTA activities, press releases, newsletters and information about our member organisations.

Wales Tourism Alliance

Julian Burrell, WTA Chairman, said “This exciting development shows WTA working with member organisations and other industry professionals in the most up-todate way possible. “In this technical age, up-to-date information is vital; our website is an important means of communication with the whole of the tourism sector.” For further information regarding the WTA website, please contact the WTA on 029 2038 4440

The site is updated continuously with information and the latest industry news on an ongoing basis. The Wales Tourism Alliance website

North Wales Tourism By Esther Roberts, North Wales Tourim

This year, in addition to the established membership benefits the company arranged legal briefings/ seminars for members on the changes in Employment Law and Discrimination Act. The importance of the tourism industry to our region was further confirmed by the acceptance of the Director-General of the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI), Digby Jones, to address NWT members together with invited guests at a breakfast meeting sponsored by HSBC. Digby

Jones is the founder Chairman of the Tourism Alliance (working closely with the Wales Tourism Alliance on all key issues) which are strongly supported by the CBI. This high profile visit gave the ‘Seal of approval’ to the importance of North Wales Tourism as a trade organisation. Also, Professor John Lennon, keynote speaker at the Annual General Meeting, gave a stimulating presentation on future trends in the Travel and Tourism industry and how to develop the competitive advantage. Reports from our members vary from ‘the best season we’ve had in years’ to ‘a season that started in March and continued through to September’. © Wales Tourist Board

“FANTASTIC REGION, full of potential” – these are the words of North Wales Tourism’s new Chairman Adrian Barsby, a Director of the Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold. As Chairman of the largest membership body in Wales, with over 1400 members, his aim is to represent the trade and issues that affect businesses and work with the powers of Government at various levels to achieve greater recognition for the industry.

WTA NEWS

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VIEWS

Our Plans For Growth By Julian Burrell, Chairman Wales Tourism Alliance WITH A NEW YEAR

on the horizon, WTA’s resolution to achieve further growth to meet the increasing demands of Wales’ largest industry has never been stronger.

tremendous progress made over the last couple of years.

Recognition of the authority of the Alliance in the past year has come with its own responsibilities; we are now a regular part of the bandwagon of consultation that accompanies a partnership with Government and Tourist Board over industry matters.

That is what we want – to put forward the industry’s opinions, to influence and advise on policy and promotional initiatives, whenever and wherever tourism is discussed and debated. However, this creates increasing demands on our limited internal resources. I am making it our first priority in the next twelve months to obtain additional resources to enable WTA to consolidate and build on the

New resources will enable us to: t

Widen and expand the membership; Publish a regular Wales Tourism Alliance member’s magazine – Twristiaeth – to improve communications within the industry; Improve communication channels to and from local tourism associations, via existing membership organisations, where applicable; Prepare and produce detailed research documents that fully reflect the views of the trade on all important issues in order to facilitate WTA involvement in the decision making process; Further involve ourselves in the Government decisionmaking process; Extend our involvement at Westminster on pan-UK issues and further develop our work

in association with our fellow members in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland of the UK Tourism Alliance. The WTA Executive and I are looking at ways and means to achieve funding and provide additional resources to meet these goals. We will be seeking your support for our improvements and for our increased activities.

We have reached the end of the beginning…

Edition 1 • Novemb er 2003

Cynghrair Twristiae th Cymru

We have reached the end of the beginning; recognition is rewarding, but further action and achievement are our goals. All members of the tourism WT A Conferen industry in Wales 2 003 Specia ce have a part to play l Our Plans For Growth in this; your involvement in the growth of our Alliance has never been more important. Why People Paramount Are

Llandudno Than Nice – Better

Our Plans Growth For

Wales Tourism Allia nce

Minister Bac ks Alliance

South West Wales Tourism Associations By Dr Colin Rouse, WTA Executive member for South West Wales

THE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS of South West Wales (the Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, Pembrokeshire Tourism, Swansea and Gower Tourism and Neath & Port Talbot Tourism) provide the tourism and hospitality industry of South West Wales with organisations which it owns and directs and which participate in the partnership delivery of local, regional and national strategies for tourism. They have evolved from local tourism groups and now work with the Regional Tourism Partnership, the county councils of the region and regional facilitators to increase visitor numbers to the region through marketing area brochures and web sites. Local associations target as many trade representatives as possible to ensure a united front through which the other agencies can operate. These local associations are still evolving; some are very young while others have the advantage of experience (perhaps?). It is not all work! For instance, the Carmarthenshire Tourist Association established a partnership with Carmarthenshire Enterprises to allow members to take part in an educational programme to improve knowledge of Carmarthenshire’s hidden treasures. However, one event we may never surpass was the “Tourist Zone” of Carmarthenshire Enterprise Day in 2002. It was a magnificent display and (via a little skullduggery) we managed to get the attention of the Queen- and an unscheduled interview!

Pictured from left to right is Dr Colin Rouse, Lynne Walters, Chief Executive Antur Teifi and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

However, we must move forward and also bring together common problems we share in South West Wales. We are already represented on the Regional Tourism Partnership but need to fully participate in the Wales Tourism Alliance if we are to fulfil the statement made in the first paragraph of this article.

WTA LOOKING BACK

Excerpts of a busy year working on your behalf…

Between Conferences… A Year In The Life Of WTA FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of our inaugural event in November in Cardiff, the WTA Executive endorsed a second conference to take place at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno on Monday 2nd and 3rd

2002

NOV Sunday and November 2003.

More than 140 industry representatives registered for the 2002 event at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, to hear Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies, WTB Chairman Phillip Evans and other keynote speakers contribute to a theme of “Think global, act local”. Westminster Tourism Minister Tessa Jowell announced in November that the English Tourism Council would be merged with the British Tourist Authority. This took place with little or no consultation with Welsh and Scottish interests and for the implications for devolved areas of the UK. WTA wrote to Tessa Jowell seeking assurances that Welsh interests would be adequately looked after (with a copy to National Assembly for Wales Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies). CHAIRMAN JULIAN BURRELL attended the Scottish Tourism Forum’s conference in December. It had been well attended, with over 400 people, and had attracted a wide cross-section of interest. He felt, however, that WTA conference stood well by comparison – in particular with its content and industry concentration.

2002

DEC

The FUW held a Rural Diversification conference in Aberystwyth, which Julian and David Chapman attended on behalf of the WTA. The First Minister Rhodri Morgan made a statement about policy alternatives available to the National Assembly regarding Wind Farm development in Wales.

F O L L O W I N G PRESSURE from the WTA for the need for drastic action, WTB confirmed the appointment of TEAM, led by Dr Roger Carter, to undertake a consultancy project – “Future Role, Focus and Management of the Visit Wales DMS”. The WTA summarised concerns and issues raised over the last 4 years at a User Group meeting on 7th January.

2003

JAN

The four UK tourism industry representative organisations (WTA, Scottish Tourism Forum, the English Tourism Alliance and the N.I. Tourism Industry Confederation) met for the first time together in London on 27 January to identify common UK-wide lobbying issues. The main topics of discussion were contingency plans for war and its effect on marketing, harmonisation of UK wide quality assurance/grading schemes, air access and route development, tax and VAT issues.

2003

MAR

THE WTA WEBSITE went online in March, listing details of WTA activities, press releases, news-letters and member organisations.

Julian Burrell and David Chapman met senior civil servant Dr. Emyr Roberts in the National Assembly for Wales Economic Development department. It was a very useful opportunity to put forward the trade’s viewpoint on a variety of subjects including statutory registration, grading, free admission to non-commercial attractions, proposed NAW smoking ban in pubs, hotels and restaurants, BTA/ETC merger, VisitWales and wind farms. Dr. Roberts was to conduct a review of Statutory Registration to report later in the year. WTA issued a press release to convey its fears that a new organisation set up to market both Britain abroad and England domestically would seriously undermine Welsh attempts to promote home holidays.

Sir Brooke Boothby

The Westminster Tourism enquiry results were published. WTA welcomed the recognition of the need for Government to give tourism greater prominence and to recognise its importance to the economy. Equally, Government must consult more effectively, including with Welsh tourism interests. WTA Executive member Sir Brooke Boothby attended a meeting hosted and presented by the British Waterways Board. “I am sure that the result will be wholehearted support for the regeneration of waterways in Wales. Private sector tourism in Wales always needs additional high quality ‘product’ ,”he commented to Mr Brian Hancock, AM, Chair of the Group Following the F & M contingency plan, and the FUW conference last December, WTA felt greater liaison between all those organisations involved in rural tourism was necessary. As part of this process, WTA Executive member & Managing Director of North Wales Tourism, Esther Roberts, attended the Defra/NAW seminar at Llandudno. WTA Executive member John Walsh-Heron and the Objective One Regional Tourism Partnership Chair Eluned Davies attended a State Aid Seminar run by WEFO; WTA attended a meeting of the NAW’s Rural Partnership for Wales, a policy advisory forum, held at The Manor, Crickhowell and the launch of the Country Land and Business Association’s Rural Tourism document at the House of Commons.

WTA LOOKING BACK WTA members expressed some concern after attending recent seminars/meetings regarding the Disability Discrimination Act ; it was their view that there seemed to be little practical guidance as to what the trade should actually be doing in order to comply. Several members of the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association, which had recently joined the WTA, were working hard at the BTTF. They produced an excellent Passport to Wales group tour service; details from enquiry@passporttowales.com. The Regional Tourism Partnership strategy directors met with the WTA Executive. Top of the agenda was communications with and from the trade. THE WALES TOURISM trade were invited to participate in a review of WTB tourism strategy under the heading of “understanding the background to tourism futures in Wales”. The Henley Centre was commissioned to support this process.

2003

APR

The WTB Chair now attends Visit Britain’s quarterly meetings of the British Tourism

Development Committee, with specific reference to overseas marketing. The subject of adding value to tourism businesses by promoting and selling food products from local producers or other parts of Wales prompted a meeting with WDA’s Agri-Food representative Sandra Williams, who was about to go “on loan” to WTB to help develop food tourism. WTB’S TIM BEDDOE made a presentation to the WTA General Meeting on Objective One. After listening to Tim’s informative talk, WTA members agreed they would try and assist WTB to maintain levels of industry support in the short to medium term.

2003

MAY

WTA CHAIRMAN JULIAN BURRELL joined around 750 invited delegates and trade members as they took to the seas for a “floating think tank” on board MS Aurora out of Southampton – home of the Catering Forum.

2003

JUN

WTA and other trade representatives were among some 700 people who attended a reception for the Tourism Industry at Buckingham Palace on 10 June, hosted by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Duke of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra were also present.

Dr. Colin Rouse became the seventh member of the Wales Tourism Alliance Executive, representing Tourism Associations in South West Wales.

WTA Chair met with the other members of the UK Tourism Alliance (Richard Tobias (Deputy Chair, English Tourism Alliance), Ivan Broussine (CE, Scottish Tourism Forum) and John O’Carroll (CE of the N.I. Tourism Industry Confederation) on the 5th June in London. With joint ventures, it was agreed to work on the concept of the four organisations acting as the “UK Tourism Alliance”.

WTA had the first of two meetings with Dr Roger Carter in conjunction with the future of Visit Wales.

WTB’s Cultural Tourism Committee is now underway and WTA’s David Chapman attended a meeting in June.

Antur Cymru By Brian Davies, Chairman, Antur Cymru

Antur Cymru is currently very actively supporting the progression and promotion of adventure tourism and water based activity tourism opportunities. It is also working to ensure that Wales fully benefits from the many statutory guidances and initiatives, which both encourage and enable a very wide range of both adventure activity participation and visitor attraction visits to safely take place

for young people. It has been active in monitoring the implementation of the Countryside Rights of Way Act and has participated in the review of the Adventure Activities Licensing regulations, as well as the progression of the H.S.E Working at Height Directive. It provides a

critical forum for the exchange of views and development of supportive responses and initiatives for the outdoor industry. The Chairperson is Brian Davies who can be contacted on 01792 232743 or brian@kilvrough.org.uk

…initiatives, which encourage and enable a wide range of adventure activity to safely take place for young people.

ANTUR CYMRU is the umbrella organisation representing outdoor education, recreation, and tourism in Wales. The growing membership consists of a very wide range of organisations with an active interest in an exceptional variety of outdoor provision in the Welsh countryside and coast. It has observer status membership to other key bodies in Wales, which include the Countryside Council for Wales, Sports Council for Wales and Wales Tourist Board.

WTA LOOKING BACK Excerpts of a busy year working on your behalf…

Diary Dates November 2003 5

JULIAN BURRELL was invited to join Alan Britten’s Quality Review Group that is leading the Britainwide review of Quality in UK Tourism. The focus will be on increasing customer satisfaction and initially, the prime objective should be common standards and approach regarding quality throughout Britain.

2003

JUL

WTA Chair attended a meeting to discuss Statutory Registration called by the National Assembly for Wales. WTB and WLGA (the Welsh Local Government Association) were also represented. The Rural Partnership met in Llandudno and explored the terms of reference for an advisory document it will present to the Rural Affairs Minister at the end of the year. The Wales Tourism Alliance had fought since its inception to prevent the ludicrous anomaly of further polls on Sunday drinking in Wales being called by a handful of activist signatories. Now, the Government, on a recommendation from the National Assembly, ditched the referendum loophole and agreed to a consistent policy on licensing.

2003

AUG

AN INDEPENDENT MARKET research company was undertaking a study to establish the impact of wind farms (both positive and negative) on tourism in Wales.

A letter was sent to the Inland Revenue on behalf of WTA Members, expressing concern at the further bureaucratic demands apparently based around business rate valuations. Concerned Members had reported receiving letters requesting information, apparently for business rate valuation purposes, issued by the Inland Revenue. These requests seek the supply of commercial details of variable, unsustainable or seasonable marketing data such as tariff, and matters that were hitherto unrelated to the process of business rate assessment. There were concerns that, with the stiff penalties mentioned in the letters for noncompliance, information put together by operators and quickly supplied mid-year for this purpose may not be complete or

accurately reflect professionally produced finalised accounts formally returned to the Inland Revenue. Restaurant-chain Pizza Hut introduced a smoking ban in all its UK restaurants. The company said it hoped the move would protect customers and staff from the dangers of passive smoking. WTA sought information from the National Assembly for Wales of any plans to attempt to introduce legislation on smoking in public places. WAG AND THE WTB established an independent working group to review and produce an action plan for countryside tourism. WTA submitted Sir Brooke Boothby (Caravan sector), Sam Richards (Activities), Colin Rouse (B&B), Ian Rutherford (Attractions), Peter Smith (Hotels) and Julian Burrell (WTA Chair and self-catering) as its representatives on the Working Group.

6 10 – 13 11 13 16 – 17 18 – 19

2003

SEP

The second meeting of the National Cultural Tourism Partnership took place. David Chapman attended for the WTA.

2003

OCT

WTA’s Chairman Julian Burrell attended the latest meeting of the UK Tourism Alliance in Belfast.

WTA also participated in the following meetings: the Association of National Park Authorities Conference; WAG All Party Group on Waterways; UK Quality Review Group, London; a meeting regarding the publication of information on the impact of wind farms on the tourism industry; WAG Statutory Registration Working Party; WTB Action Plan for the Countryside; WTB Policy Framework meeting; launch of Business Eye and Visit Wales User Group to agree short term improvements.

25 – 27 27

Westminster All Party Parliamentary Group on Tourism dinner, London WAG Rural Partnership Meeting World Travel Market Tourism Society Annual Dinner, London UK Quality Review Group, London Scotland United Conference, Glasgow WTB Action Plan for the Countryside Working Group Meeting Visit Britain British Tourism Development Committee, London Showcase Wales, Various venues in Cardiff National Tourism Awards for Wales, National Cricket Centre for Wales, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

December 2003 4 9 11

UK Quality Review Group, London WTA Executive Meeting, Caer Beris Manor Hotel, Builth Wells Open Forum South East Wales, Bryn meadows Golf & Country Club, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed WTB Countryside Tourism Working Group, Metropole

May/June 2004 28 – 6 Jun Guardian Hay Festival, Hayon-Wye 31 – 5 Jun Urdd Eisteddfod, Anglesey

July 2004 6 – 11

Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Llangollen 19 – 22 The Royal Welsh Show (Centenary Show), Builth Wells 31 – 7Aug National Eisteddfod, Newport

Between Conferences… A Year In The Life Of WTA

WTA NEWS

British Hospitality Association 0207 404 7744 martin.couchman@bha.org.uk This is the national association representing the hotel, restaurant and catering industry Farmstay UK 024 7669 6909 info@farmstayuk.co.uk Farmstay UK is a farmer owned consortium aiming to promote the concept of farm tourism in the UK.

Wales Association of SelfCatering Operators 08701 283152

By Howard Jenkins, WASCO

wasco@bala.wales.org.uk

THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY SECTOR makes up a very significant proportion of accommodation businesses, particularly in ‘rural’ Wales. It draws on the support of local craftsmen and suppliers and its visitor spend contributes to local businesses. The impact that the cottage holiday sector makes is considerable, underpinning the economy in rural Wales.

Acting as a voice for self catering in Wales. WASCO's membership comprises of one cottage operators to large agencies operating throughout the country. Welsh Association of Visitor Attraction 01248 440541

WASCO: Welcomes membership, representing all self-catering interests from one-cottage owners to the largest panWales agencies;

WAVA1@tiscali.co.uk WAVA supports and represents visitor attraction operators. It provides networking opportunities for operators to discuss problems and share experience.

Advances the special needs of self catering by having members who take an active part on regional and national bodies. They can bring back an insight of tourism on a national scale and promote the concerns of self-catering on these bodies. This includes representation with the Wales Tourism Alliance which, in turn, speaks for tourism as a whole and influences any public sector involvement;

The Youth Hostel Association 029 2039 6766 wales@yha.org.uk

Mid Wales Tourism 01654 702653 valh@mid-wales-tourism.org.uk MWT is the principal deliverer of support for the tourism Economy of Mid Wales and represents tourism interests at local, regional and national levels

YHA offers affordable accommodation at 36 Youth Hostels across Wales, most located in the National Parks of Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Supplies a vehicle for its like-minded members to exchange views, ask for advice, express their opinions at its open meetings, talk to council members, read/contribute to its newsletter Yr Allwedd both in print and online at www.YrAllwedd.com or www.WASCO.org.uk;

The National Caravan Council 01252 318251

Federation of Small Businesses 029 2052 1230 rlawson.wales@fsb.org.uk FSB is a lobbying and campaigning business organisation that ensures the voice of the small business proprietor is heard. North Wales Training Forum 01492 531731 esther.roberts@nwt.co.uk NWT represents 1300 private sector and public organisations within the north Wales tourism/ hospitality industry. It is the principal deliverer of support for the tourism industry on a partnership basis. Tourism Associations In West Wales 01267 290455 w.c.rouse@btinternet.com The local associations of Pembrokeshire Tourism, Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, Swansea & Gower Tourism and Neath & Port Talbot Tourism provide the tourism and hospitality industry of south-west Wales with an organisation which it owns and directs and which participates in the partnership delivery of local, regional and national strategies for tourism.

VIEWS

The Wales Association of Self Catering Operators

YOUR WTA CONTACTS British Holiday & Home Parks Association 01452 - 526911 enquiries@bhhpa.org.uk BH&HPA is the representative trade body for the parks industry in the United Kingdom

AND

info@nationalcaravan.co.uk NCC was originally a trade association for the UK Caravan Industry. It has grown to now represent the manufacturers, dealers, park operators and supplies and service providers throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Confers regularly with the Wales Tourist Board which recognises that WASCO is the representative body for the self-catering industry in Wales. WTB is represented at WASCO Council meetings by a senior executive to facilitate a two way exchange of views. Issues dealt with by WASCO include: introduction of Star grading scheme, proposed changes to meet national harmonisation of the UK’s current schemes, implications of Statutory Registration, changes to www.visitwales.com, changes to current Non-Domestic policy, implications of the Disability Discrimination Act;

Wales Official Tourist Guides Association 01633 774796 enquiry@walestourguides.com WOTGA promotes and represents the interests of qualified self-employed tour guides in Wales.

Offers members the opportunity to promote their businesses on its first-class website at www.walescottages.co.uk. and have a link through to their own website.

Association of Wales Agents 01492 582492 barbara@nwhc.demon.co.uk AWA represents a large number of selfcatering operators, from those with just one farmhouse or cottage to others with larger complexes. It will provide better representation for all Agents large and small. Antur Cymru 01348 840763 Antur Cymru is the umbrella organisation representing outdoors education, recreation, and tourism in Wales. It provides a critical forum for the exchange of views and development of supportive responses and initiatives regarding this.

sealyhamsam@aol.com Tourism Training For Wales 029 2075 5974 enquiries@ttfw.org.uk TTFW promotes and guides education and training in the tourism industry.

DELICIOUSLY DIFFERENT QUALITY WELSH BEEF AND WELSH LAMB

HYBU CIG CYMRU / MEAT PROMOTION WALES represents the whole industry in Wales and is the voice for the development, promotion and marketing of red meat from Wales. The European Commission recently designated both Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef, products of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) which means only lamb and beef which has been born and reared in Wales can be marketed as Welsh. The reputation of quality is also reflected in our new brand identities for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef which build on the strengths of the products and confirms a consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s association with quality Welsh meat and the unique way and beneficial environment in which it is produced. These brands for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef symbolise Welsh grass blessed with clear blue skies and clearly identify these deliciously different products which are the source of our pride.

HYBU CIG CYMRU / MEAT PROMOTION WALES PO Box 176 Aberystwyth SY23 2YA Tel: 01970 625050 Fax: 01970 615148 E-mail: enquiries@hccmpw.org.uk Website: www.hccmpw.org.uk

WTA NEWS

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WTA – A Strong Voice For The Tourism Industry By Philip Evans, Chairman, Wales Tourist Board I AM DELIGHTED to have the opportunity to address you at the second annual conference of the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA). Unfortunately, I cannot be with you personally because I am leading the tourism element of ‘Team Wales’ in Australia at the moment, but wish you a highly successful two days. WTA has gone from strength to strength; the organisation now represents over 7,000 tourism businesses and organisations and I am delighted that the tourism industry in Wales – which is one of Wales’ biggest industries – now has a credible, professional and intelligent voice that is able to represent it on all key issues, in lobbying government and the tourist board where necessary. The Board gives its full support to a body which provides such a strong voice for the tourism industry. There may well be different strategies coming forward from the organisation, because ours will always be focussed on growing the market share for Wales and the WTA will have specific commercial priorities, but I am sure that the end ambition will always be the same.

The WTA will be key in making sure that the industry is involved in developing tourism policy and it is already involved in the work of looking at a UK-wide common grading policy. We are also working in partnership on statutory registration. We’ve already got government support and adopting a statutory registration scheme will give Wales a clear advantage over the competition. We’ll be able to say that we’re the only country in the UK that can give the customer a guaranteed standard of product. Again your chairman’s input into the steering group on achieving a common UK grading policy has been extremely professional. We hope that the second conference will be as successful and as thought provoking as the first.

Bellamy Praises Green, Green Parks Of Home LEADING CONSERVATIONIST David Bellamy has congratulated the 70plus holiday parks in Wales which were named this Autumn as winners of his prestigious Conservation Awards Scheme. The annual accolades are made by Professor Bellamy to parks which have adopted special initiatives to protect the natural world. They are organised in conjunction with the British Holiday and Home Parks Association.

BH&HPA serves the interests of the industry by helping members to develop

Holiday parks in Wales represent the largest single accommodation sector contributing to the country’s tourism economy. BH&HPA serves the interests of the industry by helping members to develop and maintain the high quality standards for which it is recognised. This is achieved through a number of different initiatives, including collaborative work with the tourism authorities to manage and encourage participation in the park quality grading scheme, the establishing and implementation of codes of

practice, and the providing of professional advice on all aspects of customer-orientated park management, from staff training to the provision of facilities for disabled guests.

By Ros Pritchard Chief Executive, British Holiday and Home Parks Association

Parks in membership also benefit from marketing assistance through various Association-led strategies; these include a listing for all members on the Association’s popular website www.ukparks.com – and a chance to participate in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme, which this year has seen more than 500 environmental accolades presented to parks across the UK by Professor Bellamy. Help with day-to-day park management is facilitated by the access which members are given to the Association’s extensive and constantly updated information resources. The subjects upon which

parks can receive authoritative and current advice range from compliance with relevant laws and regulations to assistance with planning matters. A particularly important part of BH&HPA’s work for members is its representational role on behalf of the industry at UK and European Government levels. The Association plays an active part in the consultation process during the framing of new legislation affecting park owners, and helps to ensure that the sector’s interests are taken into consideration whenever regulatory changes are being considered.

YHA YSTRADFELLTE

Reach For The Remote THE END OF AN ERA

for a remote Welsh Youth Hostel has presented an intriguing business opportunity in the heart of the beautiful Brecon Beacons. The manager of YHA Ystradfellte, Dilys Jenkins, retires in November, ending more than 40 years of her family’s involvement with the Youth Hostel. The Youth Hostels Association is now looking for someone who is both keen to swap the rat race for the gentle pace of rural life and prepared to invest in the business. Under the proposals, the Youth Hostel would be operated under a franchise agreement in partnership with YHA. However, the property does require significant investment from its new joint owners to bring it up to the Wales Tourist Board’s three-star standard for visitor accommodation. There is also an annual fee to pay for YHA’s marketing, booking services and operational support. The property has been a Youth Hostel since 1948, when the YHA bought the group of council workers’ cottages lying just south of the tranquil hamlet of Ystradfellte and within a comfortable stroll of the spectacular ‘Waterfall Country’ of Coed Y Rhaeadr and the Porth-y-Ogof Cave. The two main buildings currently sleep 28 hostellers and can accommodate selfcaterers only. YHA believes that with refurbishment the building could also incorporate a café or tea room. In a village, which has only a church, post office and a pub, and where sheep farming is the main economic activity, the Youth Hostel is an integral part of the community and its presence helps ensure that tourism continues to bring in additional revenue. YHA Area Manager for the Brecon Beacons, Alison Crawshaw said: “There is real potential here, although new investment is desperately needed. We can’t promise that whoever takes it over will make a fortune. It’s going to have to be a lifestyle choice, but there are few places as idyllic as this where this kind of opportunity is available. “Under the franchise agreement, what we will offer the new owner of the business is practical support in terms of our expertise in the tourism industry, our marketing resources, central booking services and, of course, the famous YHA brand.”

Dilys (64) has managed the Youth Hostel since 1991, when she took over from her mother Ethel, who had run it for 30 years. She can recall having to fetch water from the village before a supply was installed in the Youth Hostel and having to bring in emergency supplies when the Youth Hostel was snowed in for ten days and the drifts reached the upstairs windows. Dilys also remembers the affection that guests have for YHA Ystradfellte, and in particular the honeymooning Swiss couple who were only too happy to sleep in a storeroom when every other bed was taken. Dilys said: “You have to be dedicated and it’s certainly not like a nine-to-five job. You’re living on the premises. You rise early and you go to bed late, and you need to be a jack-of-all-trades. I’m not saying we’re special, but it does take that type of person. It’s not about the job, but the lifestyle. “There’s wonderful countryside here and peace and quiet, but you’re close enough to all the amenities if you need them. “We’ve catered for all kinds of guests and it is like having an extended family. Lots of them say they like it here and that they’re going to come back, and they do.” Expressions of interest in YHA Ystradfellte can be registered by contacting YHA on 01629 592675 or emailing enterprise@yha.org.uk For more information please contact YHA Press Officer Rob James on 01629 592775 or email robjames@yha.org.uk

DAVID BAIRDMURRAY 1931 – 2003 THE DEATH OCCURRED

on May 3 of David Baird-Murray OBE, the founding Chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, at the age of 72. WTA’s Chairman Julian Burrell, John Walsh-Heron, Mick Payne, Peter Heard, David Chapman and WTB’s Chief Executive Jonathan Jones attended his memorial service in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday, May 14th. David was instrumental in the setting up of the WTA following the National Assembly elections of 1999 and worked throughout his Chairmanship (1999-2002) to ensure that member organisations pulled together and realised the great potential of the panWales tourism industry. A British Hospitality Association delegate to WTA, he had worked for BHA and many other tourism causes during his career, based around a long involvement with the Hotel Metropole in Llandrindod Wells. David was central to the formation and establishment of the Alliance and its efforts to secure wider recognition of the economic benefits of the industry; he was a good committee man who would freely donate his time to trying to move things forward. A positive force, a unifier and a reassurance, David was a friend to all those he worked alongside and anyone who knew him could readily identify with the most popular tribute spoken at his memorial service – that he was a gentleman.

WTA NEWS

Web Of Defeat UK consumers have abandoned at least one travel booking they were trying to make on the web because of the site’s poor performance, according to a new survey.

According to the 2003 CatchFIRE Systems eCommerce Survey, in 70% of cases people then moved to an alternative channel such as a call centre or highstreet agency, while a further 30% either switched to competitor sites or gave up completely.

“The important thing is to separate out the important clients -those who are going to make a booking – and make sure they can complete their transaction without it being delayed or ‘torpedoed’ by low value browsers who want to have a look at flight times to Hawaii next March.”

VIEWS

Cardiff touted as “must see” destination

NINE OUT OF TEN

CatchFIRE Systems (Europe) marketing Director Nigel Thomas argues that suppliers are seeing their profits drop and costs per transaction rise significantly by not managing demand to their website properly.

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MANY MORE European visitors could soon be on their way to Cardiff to experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere and culture. The city is a partner in the new £4 million short breaks campaign launched by VisitBritain to boost tourism from Europe this autumn and into 2004.

Gold Award for the Big Country

The Wales partners for the campaign are The Wales Tourist Board, Cardiff Initiative and Capital Region Tourism, who have been joined by key carriers bmibaby and AirWales. The campaign will take advantage of the bmibaby Paris, Toulouse and Cork links and Airwales’ links from Cork and Dublin.

THE WALES TOURIST BOARD

was recently awarded gold for best radio advert in travel advertising at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group (CIMTIG) advertising awards. The advert was produced as part of the ‘Wales – the Big Country’ three-year marketing campaign, which launched in key UK regions in January 2002.

Over half of Britain’s 24.1 million visitors in 2002 came from the 11 countries where the campaign will run and 1.5 million Europeans visited this year in June alone. Visitors from France and Ireland will be urged to come to Cardiff to enjoy shopping, theatre, museums and galleries, nightlife and general sightseeing – which make for a great short break. For further information, please contact: Heledd Llewelyn Wales Tourist Board Press Officer 029 20 475 326 Elliott Frisby, Visit Britain Corporate Press Officer: Tel – 020 8563 3035 Mob – 07951 996241

…enjoy shopping, theatre, museums and galleries, nightlife and general sightseeing

The advert was broadcasted on St David’s Day, to attract people to Wales and tied in closely with The Big Country Branding and the theme of stress relief and well-being. The 90-second advert replaced the usual “annoying adverts” from advertising slots with the calming sound of crashing waves and birdsong. For further information, please contact Wales Tourist Board communications on 029 2047 5326 (ISDN 029 2040 7799) or email: press@tourism.wales.gov.uk

The Big Country advert, which was created by HHCL / Red Cell, fought off strong competition from other short listed candidates, namely: British Airways, P&O Cruises and Historic Royal Places.

WTA TRAINING NEWS

Marine Morale Makes Attraction © Wales Tourist Board

Anglesey Sea Zoo, an award winning attraction which communicates a clear mission to both its workforce and its customers.

A COMPANY BELIEVING

in the benefits of training is Anglesey Sea Zoo, an award-winning attraction which communicates a clear mission to both its workforce and its customers. It has effective employment policies, including an appraisal scheme linked to the Sea Zoo’s business planning process, in a bid to attract and retain the best staff it can. The company says all permanent and seasonal staff are highly trained and motivated, and this investment has led to improved business performance and profitability. The attraction has achieved Investors in People status since 1996. It is a family business which was launched in 1983 and is operated as a partnership by David and Alison Lea Wilson, with three generations involved in its operation. The Sea Zoo is a member of the Isle of Anglesey Tourism Association, Anglesey Attractions Association, Top Ten Attractions and WAVA.

“Zoo staff have been to Norway to study lobster hatching and London Aquarium to look at seahorse husbandry. The latter placement led to our skills being recognised by Her Majesty’s Customs, who sent a confiscated collection of seahorses to us for safekeeping. They had been intercepted at Heathrow, coming in from Florida, and despite the problem of keeping wild stocks have adapted well to their new environment. Finally, our Business Administrator spent the day at the Welsh Mountain Zoo looking at office systems, and trying her hand at flying birds of prey!

“We find this type of exercise pays dividends in both sharing instances of good practice and building up networks between like minded businesses. It’s also fun and stimulating for the person involved,” she said. Staff involvement is also encouraged by a whole company get together at the end of each season where plans for the following year are discussed. Last year staff ‘walked through’ the visitor experience and this year concentrated on interpretation and marketing. Over a hundred ideas were generated, many of which are now in the business plan. The Sea Zoo believes its success is due solely to its staff. ‘Without the commitment and enthusiasm of our staff the visit would be far less appealing. We are competing with much bigger and better known attractions in a society which is increasingly timepressured. People come to us because we offer a real experience delivered by enthusiasts, who genuinely want to give the visitor a good time.’.

Best foot forward THE WALES TOURIST BOARD

(WTB) has chosen three areas in Wales to take part in a towns and villages walking pilot. The three areas are Blaenavon in Torfaen, Llanfynydd in Carmarthenshire and the area around Amlwch on the Isle of Anglesey. The Wales Tourist Board will fund each pilot up to £15,000 during 2003/2004. This funding can also be supplemented through other funding schemes, such as Objective One schemes and community regeneration funds.

It was the first visitor attraction in Wales to be awarded the VAQAS Cymru accreditation in July 2003. The Sea Zoo has nothing but praise for the new service, which it used as an internal audit. Members of staff were asked to look at areas outside their department and come up with a list of action points to improve it. The action points from the Assessor have been built in to the 2004 business plan. The success of the business has also been recognised with the Schroder/Wales Tourist Board Environmental Award and the Gold Corporate Health Award.

Partner Alison Lea Wilson said: ”Our longterm commitment to training and personal development has resulted in high staff morale. One of the more unusual development activities we undertake is that of work placements. Staff are given the opportunity to spend time in other businesses. For example, retail assistants have been to Portmeirion and a National Trust town shop to look at stock control systems and displays,” she said.

WTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL © Wales Tourist Board

Llandudno – Better Than Nice! By Denise Idris-Jones AM for the Constituency of Conwy, it is both a pleasure and a privilege for me to contribute to Twristiaeth and to reflect on the importance of the tourism industry to North Wales. The Conwy constituency stretches from the east of Llandudno across the coast to the west side of Bangor and then down the spectacular Ogwen valley, including the slate town of Bethesda.

…it is still elegant and uncluttered and enormously popular with visitors

It is a wonderful area – with wonderful people – and encompasses a large variety of landscape, from beach to mountain. The jewel in the crown, it must be said, is Llandudno. Llandudno reminds me of Nice in the South of France, with its long, elegant, seafront and spacious promenade; in fact, to my mind, it is better than Nice in that it has the unique feature of having two sea-side fronts, back to back, hardly a mile apart.

I congratulate the Wales Tourism Alliance on acting effectively for the many tourism organisations in Wales. It was established in 1999 – the same year as the Welsh Assembly – and is well-respected across Britain and around the world. This year, the Conference is in Llandudno for the first time. I have confidence that this sets a precedent and I wish delegates a pleasant and rewarding time in the “Queen of the Welsh Resorts.”

Designed from scratch in the midnineteenth-century, Llandudno was created by the Mostyn family, as a health-giving centre for visitors, who in those days largely came by train, alighting at Llandudno Junction, the main-line station. Fortunately, it hasn’t changed much; it is still elegant and uncluttered (there are no hot-dogs sellers or the like on the prom) and it is still enormously popular with visitors. I often meet people who speak with pleasure of their regular stays in Llandudno hotels. North Wales is marvellous for tourism. It is located within easy driving distances from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, and the busy towns of Llangollen and Betws-y-Coed attest to the numbers of motoring day visitors. I am glad to say that the tourist season is getting longer with more visitors in the Autumn and now much fine weather in October – and even November.

AS THE ASSEMBLY MINISTER

Investment in quality tourist centres is essential if the old pattern of “a week by the seaside” is to be replaced by a new model which is both rewarding to the visitor and economically viable. I want to see well-designed and well-thought-out attractions, along the lines (to name but three examples) of “King Arthur’s Labyrinth” in Corris, the Llechwedd Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Snowdon Mountain Railway in Llanberis. We must protect our precious landscape; we must entertain and educate the visitor; we are very proud of our heritage and culture.

Grant Boost For Deganwy Project A £12 MILLION,

five-star quality hotel development on the spectacular Conwy estuary in North Wales has taken another step forward with grant-aid from the Wales Tourist Board. The Board has agreed to put £650,000 towards the scheme – part of the ambitious Deganwy Quay project which also includes a marina and housing, a total investment of some £35 million. Around 90 jobs will be provided, the majority at the hotel. The developer is Lifetime Projects Ltd, headed by former Bolton Wanderers professional footballer-turned property magnate Alan Waldron, and partner John Ward. Construction of the marina and housing is well advanced. The marina is opening in April 2004, with work due to start on the

hotel next spring and programmed for completion within two years. The Welsh Development Agency is reclaiming a derelict site for the hotel. Wales Economic Development and Transport Minister, Andrew Davies, said: “The Deganwy project is a fabulous scheme in one of the best locations in the UK. It will make a major contribution towards raising the profile of this beautiful area of North Wales as an exceptional holiday destination.” Jonathan Jones, Wales Tourist Board Chief Executive, said: “As part of the overall scheme, the hotel with its proposed spa will have an important role in marketing of the North Wales Coast and will be to WTB fivestar standard. It will have high occupancy throughout the year and provide valuable new jobs. Great care has been taken in its

design to ensure it fits with this sensitive location.” The hotel will have 43 suites of between one and three bedrooms, all overlooking the estuary or marina. Managing Director, Alan Waldron said: “The site deserves – and it is important for the area to have – a flagship hotel which will complement other facilities in this Strategic Tourism Growth Area and not compete with them. This award is a key factor in ensuring the hotel will be constructed and managed to high quality levels, providing excellent opportunities for year-round employment. We will continue to work with the WTB to achieve maximum added-value to the North Wales economy.” Further information from WTB Press Office or George Newsome, 01492 583984.

WTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL

Project And Survive! By Billy Dixon, Personal Marketing Consultant and a guest speaker at this year’s conference THE TOURIST INDUSTRY

depends heavily on building strong lasting relationships with their customers and potential customers. The session I am leading at the WTA conference has been designed to help delegates understand the importance of perceptions in the overall success and profitability of a business. The way you and your personnel project yourselves will have a direct impact on a customer’s level of satisfaction. In other words you and other staff members are walking advertisements for your business. This session will cover areas such as making a positive first impression, projecting confidence, developing trust, the importance of quality, building a good business relationship, and maintaining a lasting and profitable relationship.

Billy Dixon is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading Personal Marketing consultants. He works extensively in the political, corporate and media arenas, as well as guiding numerous individuals through his personal development programmes. Working throughout Europe, Canada and America has given Billy a depth of experience, which he can call upon in his seminars and workshops. He has advised national and international leaders, media stars, corporations and members of the public. He believes passionately that personal marketing and development is essential to successful corporate projection. As an image commentator, Billy is regularly asked to appear on television and radio programmes, among them, the BBC’s award winning “Hearts and Minds” series, presented by Noel Thompson. His views were also noted in various national and international publications.

Billy Dixon’s clients include: Bank of Ireland BBC Belfast International Airport Boehringer Ingelheim BT Coca-Cola Cross Refrigeration DARD Derry City Council Donegal County Enterprise Board

Inter Trade Ireland Institute of Bankers Ireland Lombard Aviation Capital Macmillan Media Marks and Spencer Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency Pfizer Limited Weber Shandwick University of Limerick UTV Viridian Group Women Means Business

New Ride Will Work On ‘Passenger Power’ A NORTH WALES FAMILY

tourist attraction will use ‘passenger power’ to drive a new Energy Coaster ride, providing visitors with a unique experience. The scenic rollercoaster, at GreenWood Forest Park, between Caernarfon and Bangor, is costing nearly £460,000. It will be constructed with the aid of a £220,000 grant from the Wales Tourist Board.

The coaster, aimed at GreenWood’s family market, will achieve a top speed of 22mph and cover a distance of 230 metres. The park became a limited company earlier this year as it celebrated its 10th anniversary, and its two directors are

The project is expected to bring GreenWood within the top five paying family attractions in Wales. It will create 34 new local jobs, in addition to the existing 56. GreenWood was set up by the Bristows in 1993 as an environmental attraction, combining education with family fun. It has won a Prince of Wales Award for its visitor centre, was highly commended by the WTB in its application for the Environment Award, and achieved Star Attraction status in 1999. It was also awarded a Welcome Host Gold Star.

The attraction is a world first. It will be gravity-driven, using energy generated by passengers, and will use technology similar to that developed 200 years ago to haul slate in the North Wales quarries.

husband and wife team Stephen and Andrea Bristow. Stephen said: “The ride will need the weight of only 10 passengers on average to pull the coaster cars up to the starting station and surplus electricity generated will be used elsewhere on the site. We modelled it on methods used in the old slate quarries, which were extremely efficient.”

Further information from Stephen Bristow, Managing Director, GreenWood Forest Park Ltd, 01248 671493 or Ian Hunter-Franks, General Manager, GreenWood Forest Park Ltd, 01248 671493

WTA NEWS

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VIEWS

Best Practice Makes Perfect Pictured below at the launch of Wales’ first Profit Through Productivity programmes in Tenby – left to right: Chris Osborne (Fourcroft Hotel), Barbara Priest (Welsh Development Agency), Matt Goldwait (Blueberrys and Pam Pam Restaurants), Lynne Jones (Education and Learning Wales) and David Edwards (PTP trainer). Andrew Evans (St Bride’s Hotel) not in picture, also took part.

THE BEST PRACTICE FORUM for the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry consists of the main employer groups joining together to help businesses improve their productivity, profitability and competitiveness. Profit Through Productivity (PT) is the Forum’s business improvement programme, backed by DTI and DCMS, which has been launched this year in Wales, and around the UK, working directly with employers. Tenby and Saundersfoot was the first area in Wales to start the PTP programme. The first stage included five businesses – the Pam Pam and Blueberry’s restaurants and the Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby, together with the St Brides Hotel and Mermaid on the Strand restaurant in Saundersfoot. The plan is for a further 20 local

employers to join in a second stage next year. The Tourism Training Forum for Wales helped to set up the initiative, which has been supported by the Welsh Development Agency and Education and Learning Wales. The PTP programme starts with a confidential business benchmarking exercise, which gives businesses the opportunity to measure up their performance against leading companies and best practice. It gives them an assessment of their strengths and weaknesses and pinpoints specific performance gaps. An accredited business coach from the sector works with the business to help it draw up and implement a business improvement plan, which can include a series of best practice workshops, one to one coaching sessions and, through the Best Practice Club, visits to best practice establishments. Businesses can also have their achievements recognised through the Business Excellence Awards Scheme. Over 4,000 businesses will be involved in the scheme in the next two years. In North Wales, a PTP programme is now being launched in the attractions sector, initiated by the Tourism Partnership North Wales (TPNW) and supported by WDA. Dewi Davies, managing director at TPNW, had identified benchmarking as a key need for tourism businesses and a key element in the Partnership’s plans. Participating employers will come from groups such as Ten Top Attractions and Attractions of Snowdonia, who have enthusiastically welcomed the initiative. For more information on PTP and how to get involved in Wales, please contact Sangeeta Suthar at Hospitality and Leisure Manpower, the national co-ordinators of PTP, on 020 8977 4419 or ss@halm.co.uk

Association of Wales Agents

It was recently decided by the group to form an Association of Wales Agents and to become members of the Wales Tourism Alliance to facilitate communication between the Agents themselves, the WTB and WTA. The Association includes virtually all the Wales-based Agencies (plus one just over the border!) and collectively its members market in the region of 2500 self-catering units. We represent a very large number of tourism

operators, many with just the one farmhouse or cottage, others with larger complexes. The formation of the Association will provide representation, not just for the Agents themselves, but also for the individual operators. At a meeting on 17 October, it was agreed that Barbara Griffiths of North Wales Holiday Cottages and Farmhouses would represent the Association at WTA meetings and Gwen Thomas of Snowdonia Tourist Services would provide the secretariat. Barbara can be contacted at barbara@nwhc.demon.co.uk and Gwen at all@sts-holidays.com

SELF-CATERING AGENTS that participate in the WTB grading scheme have regularly met with the Board a couple of times a year on an informal basis.

WTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL

National Tourism Awards and Showcase Wales

New Celebration Bids To Boost Business WITH TOURISM IN WALES now employing over one in 10 of the working population, the industry is one of the country’s most important job and wealth creators. The National Tourism Awards for Wales 2003 will celebrate the very best of the industry in a high profile event. For the first time the Awards dinner is to be partnered with Showcase Wales – a three-day

business-to-business event held in the heart of our capital city and bringing together tourism operators and suppliers. A series of seminars delivered by industry leaders will culminate in a one-day exhibition of products and services. Showcase Wales opens at Cardiff’s magnificent City Hall on Tuesday 25 November, with the Awards being presented at the National Cricket Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday 27 November. The evening will be hosted by BBC TV news presenter Huw Edwards before an audience of 500 – made up of tourism operators, agents, key opinion formers and a host of celebrities. The National Tourism Awards and Showcase Wales really are a show of Wales’ ability and confidence to compete as a holiday destination on the world stage. The National Tourism Awards are all about rewarding the best Wales has to offer the visitor. They also have a big part to play in giving the industry in Wales something to aspire to – we’d like everybody to feel that they want to, and can be, the best in Wales.

Youth Hostels Association Cymru/Wales By Maggie Cooper, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer – YHA Wales THE YOUTH HOSTELS ASSOCIATION was founded in 1930 and aims “to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels and thus to promote their health, rest and education.”

YHA Wales generates around £5.3m in additional value to the local economy. It supports 320 full-time equivalent jobs and visitor spend is estimated at around £3.7m. The 35 Youth Hostels and Bunkhouses across Wales offer affordable accommodation in some of the most breathtaking locations – countryside, coast, towns and cities in a diverse range of buildings – to guests of all ages. Rooms range from 2 beds, family rooms to larger dormitories, some en suite. Meals are available at many of the hostels in Wales as well as self-catering facilities where guests may cook their own meals. Working with partners in the tourism industry, we offer courses and activities to suit all tastes and are aiming to build on this further. Pictured at the launch of the YHA Cymru Wales Welsh Language Policy at the Royal Welsh Show this year are, l-r : Lynn Garner, Manager Wales; Maggie Cooper, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer; and Sian Parry Jones of the Welsh Language Board.

Guests will gain an insight into the language, culture and heritage of Wales through projects like our Welsh Language Scheme, recently approved by the Welsh Language Board and Wales: The True Taste certification at our catering Youth Hostels to offer local foods and recipes. YHA Enterprise is a new project, working in partnership with other accommodation providers to offer new licensed Youth Hostels, bunkhouses and other simple accommodation to enhance our Wales network. Our “YHA for All” programme will aim to engage disadvantaged young people, people with disabilities, and those from ethnic minorities. We also aim to Increase the involvement of volunteers in our work particularly amongst those who would not normally consider volunteering.

WTA NEWS

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VIEWS

Farm Stay UK By Nigel Embry, Chief Executive, Farm Stay UK

FARM STAY UK is a non-profit making marketing consortium, which was established in the early eighties to help farmers who have diversified into the provision of accommodation compete more effectively when promoting their facilities. Although a national organisation, Farm Stay has a very strong and committed membership across Wales with several hundred properties ranging from bed and breakfast to selfcatering and caravan/campsites. All properties have to be inspected under the National Tourist Board scheme and emphasis is always placed on quality rather than quantity. Membership benefits are extensive, including entries in the free annual, full colour guide (print run 130,000+), a motorists glove compartment road map and, of course, a state of the art interactive website.

The Farm Stay brand is very powerful, with public recognition and awareness increasing dramatically in recent years. In many ways, the consortium is the “true voice of farm tourism”, hence the receipt in 2001 of The Tourism Society Award in recognition of “the exceptional contribution made to the development of tourism in the UK”. This was followed up in 2002 by the ultimate industry accolade, the Tourism Catey, for “bringing farm tourism to the forefront of high quality tourism in the country”. Farm Stay has a larger and more comprehensive network of visitor accommodation than any other similar organisation and is always seeking to strengthen the membership in order to help maintain market leadership. As such, enquiries are always welcome from potential members – so please don’t hesitate to get in touch either by e-mail admin@farmstayuk.co.uk or by telephone on 02476 696909.

Federation of Small Businesses By Neil Taylor, Federation of Small Businesses THE FEDERATION OF SMALL Businesses was set up in 1974, following a letter to the press by Norman Small objecting to the proposed Class IV National Insurance contributions. The response was amazing, as many of the self-employed realised that they simply did not have a voice in the corridors of power.

During the following year, members were joining the newly formed National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses at the rate of 200 a day. The membership reached 25,000 and people began to listen. The current membership is 185,000 and still growing. There are 35 Regions and over 100 Branches, with Press and Parliamentary Offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast. The FSB employs over 100 people with professional staff in each Region and Policy Development Officers in the RDA areas.

The membership reached 25,000 and people began to listen.

The FSB is now the UK’s largest lobbying and campaigning business organisation regularly consulted by the Government and National Assembly. In Wales the FSB regularly lobbies MPs and AMs on changes to employment law and business regulations. The FSB also responds to consultation documents, ensuring that the voice of the small business proprietor is heard. It is also represented on a number of public bodies.

Besides its lobbying role the FSB provides its members with a wide range of benefits, including a free legal helpline and help for indepth investigations by the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise. The FSB has its own member services department dealing with insurance, financial advice and services, business loans, factoring, medical cover and Internet services.

WTA NEWS

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VIEWS

Wales Official Tour Guides Association By Derek Roberts, Wales Official Tour Guides Association

WALES OFFICIAL TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION is the organisation behind professional guided tours throughout Wales. Tours range from day trips and walks in Heritage towns or sites to complete circular tours of the © Wales Tourist Board country. Our membership is now well in excess of fifty and growing fast Whether on coaches or on foot – or in some cases by car – our members offer a personal approach for visitors to Wales.

The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions

They offer touring visitors a wide range of speciality tours. All clients with special requests can be put in touch with an available qualified guide through our on-line centralised booking service or through the established network of Tourist Information Centres.

By Ian Rutherford, WAVA THE WELSH ASSOCIATION OF VISITOR ATTRACTIONS (WAVA) brings Welsh attractions together to act in the common interest and to make a difference. Even the largest attractions in Wales do not, on their own, have the strength to influence events significantly. Most attractions are small businesses with even less clout.

This year under the Adfywio scheme we were able to launch a package of twelve day tours in all regions at a NIL cost to operators for the first of each route chosen. This has been a huge success and has resulted to date in a tourist spend of over £600,000 with over 12,000 bed nights achieved. This is the first time that Guides have been proactive in the market place and in doing so have successfully generated increased volumes.

Attractions businesses have many common problems. WAVA meetings provide a forum for operators from across the country to discuss issues of concern, both formally and informally.

It goes a long way towards proving that a professional guide can generate real value in tourism. Our web site can be found at: www.walestourguides.com and enquirers should use enquiry@walestourguides.com to view and use our online booking system. Telephone 01633 774796 will achieve the same result!

The downturn in attraction visits by educational groups is concerning many operators and WAVA is organising a seminar on 17 November in Aberystwyth to explore the issues involved. Contributions from school travel experts, teachers and attractions with a successful educational programme will give participants a greater understanding of the problems and of ways in which the education market can be more effectively targeted. Please contact WAVA1@tiscali.co.uk for further details of the seminar or for WAVA membership information.

Some of the issues which WAVA has been dealing with over the last year include: t Oversupply of Attractions: in Wales, too many attractions chase too little business. In the current round of strategy writing, WAVA has campaigned to ensure that the development of additional attraction capacity is not encouraged. t Quality Improvement: attractions constantly have to improve their quality to remain competitive. WAVA has been working with WTB to develop practical and realistic services that will encourage quality improvements including the new quality assurance scheme, VAQAS Cymru. t Spiralling Insurance Costs: WAVA recognises the threat to the viability of many attractions from spiralling insurance costs fuelled by an increase in attempted litigation. It supports BALPA in pursuing a change in legislation to acknowledge contributory negligence. t European Funding: WAVA holds the chair of the Wales Regional Tourism Partnership. It considers applications for Objective One funding on projects of a ‘national’ significance. WAVA is also represented on the Wales Objective One Business Assets Strategy Partnership.

WTA REPORTS

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REVIEWS

Mid Wales Tourism By Anne Lloyd Jones, MWT

Following changes by the Wales Tourist Board in 2002 (when the Regional Tourism Partnerships were formed) we are now in a far stronger position to provide a support service to our members and to tourism associations in the region and remain the largest membership body in Mid Wales. The main role of the company is to give advice, inform, consult and represent the interest of our members at all levels. We also offer a wide range of benefits, which include bedroom browsers, a regional web site, web design, brochure delivery and we manage the Anticipation Project in Powys which delivers training in an accessible form to tourism operators.

MID WALES TOURISM (MWT) is a 750-strong membership organisation which covers operators from the counties of Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd area of Gwynedd.

Our aim is and always has been to look after the interests of our members in a friendly, professional manner, and we are fortunate to have excellent staff working for the company achieving this aim. Mid Wales Tourism is a company limited by guarantee with a board of directors elected by members or co-opted by the board and is managed on a day-to-day basis by Gwesyn

Davies, the Managing Director. The Memorandum and Articles of the Company allow for a maximum of 12 directors, and presently the co-opted directors are Tony Bywater, Ian Rutherford and Lisa Francis A.M. Councillor Gillian Hopley represents the local authorities and Joan Best, David Clay, Peter Lloyd-Harvey, Steve White and Anne Lloyd-Jones are the trade representatives.

The British Hospitality Association By Bob Cotton, Chief Executive,The British Hospitality Association THE BRITISH HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION is the national association for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry which, in Wales, employs some 80,000 people in 13,000 establishments. Hospitality is the major element of tourism in Wales, which is worth some £2 billion a year (7.5 per cent of GDP).

The association’s commitment to improving quality and standards is reflected in its leadership of the Best Practice Forum – an industrywide alliance of seven trade associations, two professional bodies and other organisations, which was a BHA initiative. The

The association’s principal aim is to support the industry and represent its interests to ministers, politicians and officials in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Westminster as well as in Brussels. It also aims to provide business support for its membership, which includes over 30,000 establishments operating more than 350,000 rooms throughout the UK, employing nearly half a million staff. Because of its principal aim, much of the BHA’s work revolves around lobbying issues, particularly in relation to legislation concerning staffing and workforce

…includes over 30,000 establishments operating more than 350,000 rooms.

management, but other pressing matters include issues relating to quality, food and food safety, licensing, smoking in public places and tourism promotion.

Forum’s Profit Through Productivity programme enables businesses to adopt – or adapt – best practice in every area of their operation, so that their productivity (and profitability) can be optimised. So far, over 1,000 businesses have participated in the programme, with the aim of recruiting a total of over 4,000 by 2005. A Benchmark Index is being developed to enable participants to measure their own performance against other, similartype businesses.

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The National Caravan Council By Alan Bishop Director General. NCC THE NATIONAL CARAVAN COUNCIL (NCC) is an active, dynamic trade association for the UK caravan (and home park) industry. With a membership of more than 500, it represents parks, manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers of services. Its mission is to continually improve industry standards of technical and commercial excellence. With an annual turnover in excess of £1 million and 20 staff, it is able to be a powerful voice representing the views of the industry to government and other stakeholders. The NCC provides its members with advice on a number of matters, including safety and legal issues, up-to-date statistics and technical information. For the travel trade, it publishes a number of helpful leaflets, including NCC Good Practice Guide, Welcoming Disabled Visitors for Park Operators. It also operates the Park Homes Charter and Quality Award schemes. It was co-founder of the Tourist Board scheme for grading caravan and holiday parks. The star rating scheme offers consumers a vital guide to the quality of facilities on a site; many of the other services provided by the NCC directly benefit caravanners. The NCC operates the definitive certification scheme for all new caravans manufactured by its members (ensuring compliance with European and British health and safety standards), as well as the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme for touring caravans. The NCC’s strong links with the caravanning public is enhanced through its presence at both national and regional exhibitions, while the recently launched website www.thecaravan.net features a host of helpful information for the consumer, including where to stay and how to choose a caravan or park home. Website: www.thecaravan.net

Pictured at the TTFW Contour Conference, from l – r is student Catherine Kiley from Neath Port Talbot College and TV weathergirl, Siân Lloyd.

Tourism and Training Forum for Wales By Diana James, TTFW TOURISM AND TRAINING – it’s a marriage of minds. There are ups and downs in all relationships; that’s why the Tourism Training Forum for Wales has taken on the role of leadership and guidance, to reconcile any differences which may exist between the tourism industry and training providers. The Tourism Training Forum for Wales (TTFW) is committed to providing leadership, guidance and co-ordination for tourism training in Wales. It works with partners in both business and education to ensure that the industry benefits from the value of investment in their workforce, and that training and teaching courses are relevant and accessible to the industry’s needs. And while the partners may not always see eye to eye, TTFW believes it can help resolve any differences and ensure that their relationship can flourish in harmony. With expertise in Tourism, Education, Business and Communications, the organisation has grown into a leading voice on both the provision and accessibility of training services and the training needs of the tourism industry in Wales. TTFW has also been working closely with young people; for example we organised a “Contour” conference this year for young people studying in the field. Speakers from trade and industry, including from WTA, were able to pass on their experiences and knowledge, which we hope will be of benefit to tourism in the future.

Ultimately we hope that between us we can make this marriage work! If you want to know more about the work of the Tourism Training Forum for Wales contact enquiries@ttfw.org.uk or through: TTFW, Unit 16 Frazer Buildings, 126 Bute Street, Cardiff. CF10 5AE Tel: 029 2049 5174 or Fax: 029 29049 0291