Tourism is worth £1bn to Gwynedd
LAST year, the tourism sector in Gwynedd had its most successful year ever, with expenditure in the local economy passing the £1 billion mark.
As well as peak season visitors, there was also an increase in spending outside of the summer months, with the period from October to April showing a substantial increase in expenditure compared to previous years.
The annual tourism figures (STEAM) showed that over seven million people visited Gwynedd during 2016 – an increase of 3.2% on the previous year. There was also an increase of 5.5% in the number of tourists that stayed overnight, providing a welcome boost to businesses in the tourism sector.
Councillor Ioan Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: “These days, tourists and visitors to the area appreciate the fact that Gwynedd is a place to be enjoyed all year round. The investments made in a number of sectors over the last few years mean that there are a whole host of popular attractions in various locations around the county, and we no longer rely on fair weather to attract visitors.
“With more and more people using digital platforms to plan holidays, the Council’s Tourism Service has invested in marketing strategies, and in particular raising awareness via online campaigns. Visit Wales and private businesses have also helped to build and support these efforts, and this investment is definitely bearing fruit, with substantial expenditure in the local economy.”
The aim for the next few years will be to extend the tourism season, by improving visitors’ experiences, in order to try and increase expenditure by tourists, and also providing well-paid jobs throughout the year.