Developments the adventure
North Wales is cementing its position as the adventure capital of Europe, with millions of pounds of new investment planned.
The region is already recognised as the best place on the continent for adrenaline activities thanks to brands like Zip World and Surf Snowdonia, alongside dozens of smaller firms taking visitors on the adventures of a lifetime.
This has brought huge benefits to the area with additional jobs and also helped extend the tourism season with thrill-seekers prepared to battle the elements.
Now a host of further investments are taking place that will see this part of the tourism sector continue to grow.
The biggest recent announcement was by Surf Snowdonia, which now plans Phase II of its developments at the Conwy Valley surfing lagoon, launched in 2015. It hopes to spend £10m to develop an indoor activity hub and a hotel with a zip wire check-in for guests.
It would bring an extra 100 jobs to the site and turn it into an allyear-round attraction – meaning more permanent roles.
Zip World also has further developments in the pipeline in the region after spending £8m over the past year.
While Snowdonia tends to be at the heart of the adventure sector, there are exciting proposals across the region.
In Wrexham, Go Below wants to transform a colliery tip into an adventure theme park with one of the UK’s fastest zip wires, a freefall tower and giant swing.
Last month also saw a new activity centre open at Cross Lanes, Wrexham, creating 40 jobs. The £5.6m development is bringing new life to a hotel site that had closed.
Sean Taylor, co-founder and codirector of Zip World, said: “North Wales is the birthplace of Zip World and we are committed to continual investment to help further develop the area and make every visitor to the adventure capital leave having had an incredible experience.
“Our commitment continues following our £5.5m investment in the Adventure Terminal, Blondin Restaurant and Fforest Coaster last year and the newly launched