INDUSTRY LEADER SAYS THEY WILL PUSH FOR ZONE STATUS
THE UK’s first ever tourism sector deal has been announced with calls for North Wales to be made one of the five planned ‘tourism zones’ in Britain.
Prime Minister Theresa May revealed plans for the industry that included creating 130,000 extra hotel rooms and a drive to bring 9m more visitors to the UK.
It also includes a pilot of up to five new Tourism Zones to drive visitor numbers across the country.
Zones will receive Government support for growing their local visitor economy, through initiatives like targeted support for product and promotion development, mentoring support to businesses and digital skills training.
Areas will become Tourism Zones via a bidding process.
Jim Jones, the managing director of North Wales Tourism, welcomed the inclusion of tourism within the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.
He revealed they were now prepared to lead the fight to ensure this region was on that list of five.
He said: “You could argue that North Wales is already a tourism zone in all but name because it is such a huge part of the regional economy, generating £3.2 billion in income annually and providing employment for 43,000 people.
“We certainly tick all the boxes for North Wales to be included in the sector deal as a tourism zone.
“Our burgeoning reputation as a world class destination for adventure seekers is the result of playing to our strengths and our adventure offer is now being marketed under our branding as the Adventure Capital of Europe.
“This is a golden age for the tourism sector and in North Wales and adrenaline fuelled attractions like Zip World and Adventure Parc Snowdonia have laid foundations for future growth.
“I have no doubt it will be very competitive but the North Wales Growth Bid is adding to the vibrancy and confidence that already exists so surely we stand a good chance. We will be doing our utmost to make it happen.”
The new deal will also revolutionise the way data is used by the sector, through the creation of new Tourism Data Hub. The hub will collate regularly updated data showing the latest trends and spends, allowing businesses to better target overseas visitors.
Last year around 38 million people
visited the UK, contributing £23 billion to the local economy.
By 2025 experts predict that there will be an additional 9 million visitors to the UK. Other commitments in the Tourism Sector Deal include:
More than 130,000 new hotel rooms are set to be built across the UK, with 75% being built outside of London. £250,000 to improve broadband connectivity in conferences centres across the UK for business visitors.
The deal also outlines the government’s ambitions for the UK to
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become the most accessible destination for disabled visitors, through improvement of disabled facilities and access to destinations across the country.
10,000 employees in the sector to benefit from new mentorship schemes.
A new government strategy to grow the number of Business Events and Conferences, helping to drive off-season visitors.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “As one of the most visited countries in the world, the UK is a world leader
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in international tourism and it is crucial that we remain globally competitive to meet growing demands.
“That’s why I am pleased to announce the UK’s first ever tourism sector deal, ensuring that we continue to innovate, boost connectivity and economic productivity, expand career pathways and break down barriers for visitors with disabilities. This deal recognises the important role tourism plays, and will continue to play, in showcasing what our great country has to offer.”
British Tourist Authority Chair Steve Ridgway CBE said: “This sector deal is a game-changer for tourism, one of the UK’s most valuable export industries, spelling a step-change in how we underpin the success of tourism for a generation, moving it to the top table as a leading industry for the UK Government’s future economic planning. Tourism is one of the most fiercely competitive global industries and this deal ensures we can continue to compete internationally as a top destination for visitors, driving major economic growth across the whole of the UK.”