​The Wales Tourism Alliance is a well-established umbrella membership organisation representing all tourism sectors across Wales.    
 
Our members are themselves sector-membership organisations operating in Wales, destination marketing/management organisations and larger employers with a direct or indirect interest in tourism in Wales.  This means that we advocate with all levels of government, especially Welsh Government, on behalf of over 6000 small and micro businesses on policy which affects them.  We also work collaboratively with partners on common causes, helping promote responsible tourism in Wales as well as offering evidence-based challenge and solutions to problematic policy.
 
The Chair works with the Executive Board in setting strategic direction and ensuring good governance as well as offering support to our Policy Advocate.  You will also represent the organisation at public events such as the Wales Tourism Week Reception at the Senedd, conferences etc. as well as giving media interviews.
 
To apply, please send a CV and short covering email explaining what you can bring to the role and why it interests you, to [email protected].  The outgoing Chair is happy to discuss the role with you at any point before the closing date for applications.
 
Closing Date: 30th October, 5pm.  Informal interviews, conducted virtually, will take place shortly thereafter and we hope to announce the appointment by mid-November.
 
 Please note this is an expenses-only role.

The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee is undertaking an enquiry into the Foundational Economy.  The Committee has requested views on any or all of the issues covered in the terms of reference below: 

• To what extent has the Welsh Government embedded support for the foundational economy into its overall approach to economic development? What further steps should it take to do this?
• Given the cross-portfolio nature of the foundational economy, how should the Welsh Government create a co-ordinated approach to mainstreaming support for foundational economy sectors across government?
• Which of the Welsh Government’s foundational economy policy initiatives have been most successful, and why? Which have worked less well, and why?
• What examples of best practice exist in different foundational economy sectors and places within or beyond Wales? How could the Welsh Government better support partners to deliver best practice, and to scale it up where appropriate?
• What progress has been made in using procurement to strengthen the foundational economy since our predecessor Committee looked at this issue in 2019? What further actions are required to deliver greater progress, and what innovative examples of best practice could be built on?
• How effective have the Welsh Government’s actions to deliver fair work in foundational economy sectors been? What further steps should it take within its devolved powers to progress this agenda, and how can it work with the UK Government to drive improvements in non-devolved areas?

The WTA has submitted this response.

UKtourism is still struggling to recover four years after the global Covid-19 pandemic, with the country facing a £2.8 billion shortfall in tourist spending and the number of overseas visitors still not back to pre-pandemic levels.
More than four years since the UK was plunged into an unexpected lockdown during the global pandemic and travel was severely restricted, the country has been unable to restore its all-important tourist industry.
There were around 38 million overseas tourists visiting the UK last year, and while this figure has considerably increased for two consecutive years, it remains 7.1 per cent short of 2019’s tourist figure of 40.9m visitors, ONS data analysis from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) shows.

For more details follow this link to the Independent article.

Ambitious plans for a Visitor Levy in Edinburgh took another significant step forward this week as councillors agreed key details of the draft scheme.
It is anticipated that the levy will generate tens of millions of pounds a year to reinvest in the city’s infrastructure and sustainable tourism from summer 2026.
A formal 12-week public consultation seeking further input from residents, visitors and businesses, will commence in the coming weeks. This will inform the final scheme, which will be agreed in January 2025, allowing the 18-month implementation period to begin.

​Find out more here.

With the UK peak holiday season well underway, the 15 UK National Parks have launched a new vision for regenerative tourism in an effort to safeguard some of the country’s most popular outdoor destinations, while ensuring they remain accessible to all. 

For many years UK National Park Authorities, charged with looking after our most precious landscapes and making them accessible to all, have led on the development and promotion of sustainable tourism within their respective National Parks. This new shared vision shifts the focus to ‘regenerative tourism’, moving from a position of tourism ‘doing less harm’ to ‘helping give back more than it takes’. 

Find out more here.

WTA Chairman, Suzy Davies is one of a group of tourism leaders calling for an urgent meeting with Deputy First Minister Huw Iranca-Davies and regional Members of the Senedd and MPs to discuss way of saving three Natural Resources Wales (NRW) visitor centres.

The NRW is planning to close their centres at Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas near Aberystwyth, and Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau with the loss of around 260 jobs to address a £13 million budget shortfall.

Suzy, along with Zoe Hawkins, chief executive of MWT Cymru, and Steve Hughson, Mid Wales Tourism Forum chairman, is calling for an urgent meeting with politicians and the NRW.

​They are seeking a solution to save the visitor centres, whether it requires a U-turn by the NRW, extra funding from the Welsh Government or finding different operators to keep the doors open. They insist that the centres must remain open until a solution is found.

​For more details click here.

Business News Wales has announced revised deadlines for the Welsh Regional Tourism Awards.

The categories for the National Tourism Awards 2025 are:

1. Best Hotel
2. Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse
3. Best Self-Catering
4. Best Caravan, Camping, Glamping
5. Best Attraction
6. Best Activity, Experience or Tour
7. Bro a Byd Category (Those going the extra mile on environmental sustainability)
8. Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
9. Best Place to Eat
10. Rising Star
11. Best Event
12. Best Dog Friendly Business

To enter and for further information, please use the links below depending on location:

South West Wales:

• Carmarthenshire – Closing date for entries is midnight on 6 September 2024.
• Swansea & Neath Port Talbot – Closing date for entries is midnight on  6 September 2024.
• Pembrokeshire – Entries closed 30 July.

South East Wales:

• South East Wales Tourism Awards – Closing date for entries is midnight on 6 September 2024.

Mid Wales:

• Mid Wales Tourism Awards – Closing date for entries is midnight on 6 September 2024.

North Wales:

• Go North Wales Awards – Closing date for entries is midnight on 7 October 2024.