Tourism award for Vale marketing group

A successful group which promotes tourism in the Vale of Glamorgan has been recognised with a leading regional business award.

The Vale Marketing Group, a marketing initiative set up in 2002 to promote the Vale of Glamorgan as a quality visitor destination, took the title of Retail or Tourism Business of the Year 2009 at this year’s South Wales Business Awards, hosted by the BBC’s Sara Edwards earlier this month at the Bear Hotel in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Beating off competition from five other South Wales businesses including Edwards Travel, Pro Air Aviation and Sea View Chalet, the Vale Marketing Group (VMG) was recognised with the award which looked at the organisation’s commitment to customer service and success against its business plan and objectives.

Collecting the award, VMG chairperson, Mandy Davies, said the award recognised the hard work of a dedicated committee. She said: "The Retail and Tourism Business category is keenly contested and we are delighted to have won. It is a recognition of the important role of the support sector in the business community and shows what can be achieved when like-minded people come together with a common goal.

"We will build on our new status as South Wales Retail and Tourism Business 2009 and use the increased profile to demonstrate the quality of the tourism businesses we represent across the Vale of Glamorgan."

The South Wales Business Awards organiser, Wesley Skene of WS Marketing, said: "The judging process for the Retail and Tourism Business category was extremely difficult and, there was significant debate among the judges, the Vale Marketing group was seen as a clear winner by the panel."

See more about the Vale Marketing Group at www.gardenofcardiff.com.

Photograph by opobs @ Welsh Icons Flickr group.

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Warm Welsh welcome round Cardiff

An initiative designed to help tourism businesses across Wales to develop by offering a distinctive Warm Welsh Welcome to visitors, or Croeso Cynnes Cymreig, has accredited its first South East Wales business.

The Bryn-y-Ddafad guest house, near Welsh St Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan, has gained the new Croeso Cynnes Cymreig status after the proprietors underwent a three-part training and assessment programme designed to help the business to grow by offering a truly Welsh experience to visitors.

Croeso Cynnes Cymreig is a Welsh Assembly initiative developed jointly by Visit Wales, The Welsh Language Board and Tourism Training for Wales. The programme encourages businesses to learn more about their local area, what is on offer for visitors and how best to use that knowledge to offer an authentic warm Welsh welcome, which leaves visitors in do doubt that they are in Wales.

Bryn-y-Ddafad owner, June Jenkins, explained why they had decided to undertake the programme. She said: “Our location is a big part of the attraction of Bryn-y-Ddafad and we have always sought to ensure that visitors are given a sense of place. We recognised that this programme would build on the importance we place on helping our guests to get the most out of the local area and would enable us to capitalise on the wider Wales brand. With so much happening in the region next year, we wanted to make sure we were in pole position to use 2010 as a springboard for our business growth. We have come through the Croeso programme with a stronger understanding of the unique characteristics that make Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bryn-y-Ddafad special.”

Education Minister Jane Hutt said: “It’s crucial that we ensure that quality training is available in all sectors across Wales. I heartily congratulate Bryn-y-Ddafad guest house for their commitment to positive training. I’m sure that the valuable local knowledge they provide will be a major benefit for the business and, more importantly, their guests.”

Congratulating the team at Bryn-y-Ddafad on being the first business in the region to gain the accreditation, Capital Region Tourism board member and Vale of Glamorgan councillor, Anthony Ernest, said: "The new Croeso accreditation distinguishes those tourism providers who have embraced their locality and who understand what makes a truly Welsh welcome so special. For those who love Wales and their local area, achieving the accreditation is both enjoyable and informative. This programme is about discovering for yourself what makes the business and locality special and learning how to communicate that effectively to guests.

"Next year is a big deal for the Capital Region with the Ryder Cup and the Valleys Homecoming, tying together with the Eisteddfod and the new developments in Ebbw Vale. The Croeso Cynnes Cymreig scheme is the perfect tool to help tourism businesses and other organisations to identify their own unique selling point and ensure that 2010 provides them with a platform from which to launch their distinctive Welsh welcome.”

The three modules of the Croeso Cynnes Cymreig programme include a course on customer service and a further two self-assessed modules. One module focuses on gaining a better understanding of local history, food, landscape, culture and language to give the business and its locality a sense of place, while the third module explores the use of the Welsh language within the business at either entry, intermediate or advanced levels.

The programme is designed to help tourism businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large organisations. Margaret James, head of customer experience at Cardiff Airport, said: Margaret James, head of customer services at Cardiff Airport, said: “We plan to implement the new ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ programme through the winter months among our own staff and we hope the scheme can also be extended to other customer facing staff working at the airport for our service partners.

“With Cardiff Airport being the national airport for Wales, our Welsh identity and celebrating being Welsh is an integral part of our brand ethos. This project is one of many initiatives with which we’ve been involved recently. Others include offering free Welsh lessons in the departure lounge for staff and passengers and working with Visit Wales to develop our arrivals corridors to provide passengers with an immediate sense of place when arriving in Wales by air. It is important that our visitors experience a truly warm Welsh welcome when arriving at Cardiff Airport.”

To find out more about the business benefits of Croeso Cynnes Cymreig, contact Visit Wales on 0845 010 8020, visit www.wales.gov.uk/topics/tourism/grading/croesowelcome or email quality.tourism@wales.gsi.gov.uk

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Blooming good news for Rhyl lake

Up to 70 volunteers are gearing up for a day of pruning, planting and weeding around Marine Lake, Rhyl, on November 17, in readiness for the Wales in Bloom competition 2010.

Marine Lake featured for the first time in the competition this year and Denbighshire is working on the community project in conjunction with the Rhyl Wales in Bloom Committee, Rhyl Environmental Association, Barclays Bank, Marine Lake Users Forum and some other organisations.

Thanks to a pledge for volunteers put forward by Barclays Bank (who assisted in the 2009 entry with providing volunteers to tidy up the main entrance of Marine Lake, weeding and planting) the bank has again offered between 30 and 70 volunteers for the day in preparation for the 2010 competition .

Also, Wales in Bloom/Barclays has also offered up £2,000 to put into a project and the Rhyl Wales in Bloom committee agreed they would like to see the resources put into Marine Lake.

The 30-70 volunteers will be involved in various activities including planting, weeding, tidying and improving different sections of Marine Lake.

Garry Davies from Denbighshire’s Countryside Services will also take a group of volunteers onto the island in the middle of the lake to do some much needed maintenance of the island habitat. The will also be making and installing bird and bat boxes during the day for the south west corner of the lake.

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Extra time at Tourist Information for big match

Cardiff’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) will stay open late on Saturday November 7th for spectators going to the Wales v New Zealand match at the Millennium Stadium, which kicks off at 5.15.

The TIC will open from 9.30am until 7.30 pm, meaning that spectators can enjoy an afternoon of shopping in the city centre, and leave their bags in the TIC’s left luggage lockers until after the match. Small lockers cost just £3, and large ones £5.

The TIC also has public internet access and a gift shop.

The TIC can be contacted by phone on (029) 2087 3573, or by email at visitor@cardiff.gov.uk.

The TIC is in The Old Library in The Hayes, just a few minutes’ walk from the Stadium.

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Public get to see Amlwch Port plans

Regeneration plans to boost the historic harbour area of Amlwch Port will be unveiled to the public next week.

Anglesey County Council has initially earmarked £200,000 for improvements to existing facilities in a bid to attract more visitors to an area rich in maritime and industrial heritage.

Members of the public will have their first chance to see the plans during an exhibition at Amlwch Memorial Hall on Wednesday, November 11th 2009, between 2pm and 6pm.

Economic Development and Tourism portfolio holder, Councillor Bryan Owen, explained, "The harbour, together with the Parys Mountain copper mine, played an integral part in the industrial revolution during the 18th century. These new plans form part of a long-term vision to improve the area and attract more visitors to North Anglesey, under the 'Copper Kingdom' banner."

Council officers will be showing proposals for improving maritime infrastructure, the Port Square and Quayside, as well as ideas for making better use of some key buildings close to the harbour.

The first phase of works, which involve enhancing the existing slipway and repairs to the historic harbour walls, is due to start in early November.

The scheme to improve maritime infrastructure at Amlwch Port forms an important part of the County Council's £5.6m Coastal Environment Project. Funding has been provided by the European Union's Convergence Programme - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); Welsh Assembly Government's Môn a Menai Programme and Targeted Match Fund and Isle of Anglesey County Council.

Amlwch Port's county councillor, Dylan Jones, welcomed the forthcoming exhibition, adding, "I'm glad to see the potential of the harbour area being realised and keen for local residents, businesses and others who use the harbour to see the plans for themselves. The exhibition will help keep people informed about the project and its plans to help regenerate the area."

Other significant environmental and physical improvements will also be carried out as part of the North Wales Physical Regeneration Scheme, also funded by the EU Convergence Programme and Welsh Assembly's Government's Môn a Menai Programme.

For further details please contact Anglesey County Council's Economic Development Unit on (01248) 752480/ 2435.

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Fast ferry will speed from Swansea to Devon

THE first-ever fastcat ferry link between Swansea and Devon is being welcomed by Swansea Council and business leaders in the city.

The Severn Link, a 50-minute car-carrying fastcat service between the city and Ilfracombe, is being launched on October 29 and aims to go into service early next year.

Council Leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news that comes in the wake of the announcement that the Swansea to Cork ferry is being reinstated. A fast cat service from Swansea to Ilfracombe would be a boost for the city's tourism economy and would allow Swansea people easier access to Devon and the South West of England.

"The service would also introduce many visitors from the Devon area to Swansea Bay for the very first time where I'm sure attractions such as Gower would make a hugely positive impression and would encourage people to return.

"We've got so much in Swansea that would appeal to visitors. Investment in recent years has seen the opening of the £32m LC leisure centre, the National Waterfront Museum and the state-of-the-art Aspers casino. We're fortunate to have first-class facilities and attractions that cater for all ages and interests."

Swansea's tourism industry is worth more than £300m a year and rising. And according to the latest figures more than 4.1m tourists visited the area in 2008, an increase on 2007.

Hywel Evans, chair of Swansea Business Forum, said: "The fastcat ferry and the return of the Swansea-Cork ferry are both votes of confidence in Swansea as a destination and as a place to do business.

"There's new private investment going into the city centre's retail sector with the arrival of High Street names like Zara, Slater and Animal and the promise of more. These new arrivals, combined with the maritime initiatives mean Swansea's well-placed to benefit from the economic recovery when it comes."

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Dee Valley Familiarisation Tour

Denbighshire County Council's Tourism unit is organising a free event to familiarise and update accommodation providers in the Dee Valley of the latest visitor developments in the area.

The purpose of this is to encourage cross marketing of local businesses which will encourage visitors to spend more time and money in the area.

There will be free transport from Llangollen and Corwen and lunch will be provided.

If you have a tourist business in the Dee Valley and you would like to attend this FREE event on November the 17th please telephone 01824 708236 or email fiona.dolben@denbighshire.gov.uk. to reserve your place.

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Gower among UK's friendliest destinations

The beauty spot has added to its long list of media awards and recognition with inclusion in the 2009 top 10 friendliest holiday destinations in the UK.

It's the only destination in Wales to have made the list. Bournemouth, Brighton and Eastbourne are among the other destinations to have made the top ten.

A survey conducted by Virgin Money Travel Insurance rated 66 UK Holiday destinations on a number of different criteria including weather, hotel prices, restaurants, beaches and attractions.

The award is recognition for the overall visitor experience on Gower and not just the beaches and picnic spots for which the area regularly wins awards.

Steve Hopkins, Swansea Council Tourism Manager, said: "At a time when the UK is turning its back on overseas package holidays, the 'staycation' summer of 2009 never really turned into the so-called barbecue summer as promised.

"This is why marketing the destination was even more important this year and the marketing activity coordinated by the tourism team suggests this has had considerable impact because many of its marketing partners including hotels and campsites had limited availability during the main season."

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "This is a fitting accolade for what I think is one of the finest holiday destinations in Wales.

"Gower's popularity continues to grow and this award is a reflection of the hard work and effort of all our partners in tourism who contribute towards making it such a great place to go on holiday.

"I can see why Gower ranked so highly. A lot of the attractions, restaurants and accommodation providers continue to invest in their product to meet the rising expectations of visitors thesedays."

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Italian golfers driven to Carmarthenshire

Italian golfers will be inspired to swap the Riviera for the Carmarthenshire coastline as they seek exciting new golf holiday destinations.

Carmarthenshire is set to feature in the Spring edition of the popular Golf e Turismo (Golf and Tourism) magazine, as a leading UK destination for golfers looking for challenging links courses to try out their game.

A features writer for the Milan-based magazine, Andrea Vercelli, has been shown around the county by tourism officers, and was impressed by the fantastic golfing facilities Carmarthenshire has to offer.

His trip included a guided tour of Jack Nicklaus designed Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club at south Llanelli.

The £3.5million links championship course offers golfers of all handicaps a challenge, with up to five tees at each hole and 25 acres of salt and fresh water lakes.

Mr Vercelli was also shown around the Ashburnham Golf Club at Pembrey, a demanding seaside course which has long been regarded as one of the best links courses in Britain.

Overlooking Carmarthen Bay, golfers have to tackle prevailing sea winds and plenty of rough as they challenge the course.

The Golf e Turismo feature will hopefully attract a whole new army of tourists to Carmarthenshire which will provide a further boost to the tourism economy.

Huw Parsons, Carmarthenshire’s marketing and tourism manager, said: “The Golf e Turismo features writer was really impressed by the facilities Carmarthenshire has to offer, especially the range of top courses we have within a few miles of eachother.

“We would love Italian golfers to come to the county, and would welcome the business they would bring to our hotels, restaurants and shops – as well as to the golf courses, so we are thrilled to have secured coverage in this magazine.”

Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration and leisure, said: “It’s easy to see how this magazine would be so interested in featuring Carmarthenshire on its pages.

“We’re quite rightly proud of the sporting facilities that this county boasts, and securing high-profile coverage in foreign publications will help drive new visitors to our corner of the world.

“Their custom will help to boost our economy, and we would hope that they would make many return visits to sample the other top quality attractions Carmarthenshire has to offer.”

The Golf e Turismo magazine can be viewed online at www.golfeturismo.it. A translated version can be viewed through a popular search engine.

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Snowdonia Mountains and Coast 2010 Brochure and Website

Businesses offering accommodation to tourists visiting Gwynedd in 2010 are being urged to take advantage of the opportunity to advertise in the area’s main tourism marketing tools - the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast brochure and the recently launched new website www.visitsnowdonia.info

Produced in partnership by Gwynedd Council and Conwy County Borough Council, the brochures aims to attract visitors to the area for a holiday, short break or a day out.

At least 120,000 copies of the brochure will be produced and distributed to tourists through undertaking marketing and advertising campaigns in partnership with Visit Wales and the Regional Tourism Partnerships.

Councillor Dewi Lewis, who leads on Development on Gwynedd Council said:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Gwynedd’s businesses to display the variety of services they have to offer. Businesses will be able to place their details on the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast new website and it is important that they make the most of this opportunity to promote Snowdonia as a popular tourist destination.”

Since 2005 over 350,000 brochures have been sent out via requests through the Visit Wales marketing campaigns which generated additional spend worth £55m to the area.

For further information or if you have any queries please contact Steven Jones of Gwynedd Council’s Economy and Community Department on (01286) 679217 or e-mail: stevenj@gwynedd.gov.uk writing Snowdonia Brochure 2010 in the subject box.

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£59 for two night stays with Brains' online offer

You can stay at some of Wales' loveliest pubs for two nights for £59 with a special online offer from Brains.

You can stay at: The Black Lion, Lampeter; The Bull, Anglesey; The Dovey, Aberdovey; The Monachty, Aberaeron; The Savoy, St Clears; Twelve Knights, Port Talbot; The Thomas Arms, Llanelli; The Wellington, Brecon; The Lamb and Flag, Abergavenny, and The Punch House, Monmouth.

Your stay includes bed and breakfast, and Brains inns have ensuite bathrooms, free WiFi, great food, a fantastic range of drinks and some great views.

You need to book online at the pubs' websites, all available through the Brains website where full terms and conditions are available, and the offer and stay are available until December 23, 2009.

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“Use the Ryder Cup as a springboard for business,” tourism operators told

With less than 12 months until the Ryder Cup tees off, tourism operators and advisors from across South East Wales have been offered an insight into how to maximise business opportunities on the back of the six-day event next October.

The Greens of Southern Wales Golf Forum, organised by Capital Region Tourism at Bryn Meadows Hotel, Golf and Spa in Maesycwmmer, near Caerphilly (8 October), brought together golf clubs, accommodation providers and council tourism officers from across South East Wales with the chairs of the local tourism associations for an event which championed the business opportunities of the Ryder Cup coming to the capital region next year.

Speakers at the event, which was attended by more than 20 local clubs and accommodation providers, focussed on the need for tourism businesses across Wales to be creative in the ways they exploit the event to boost trade. Peter Cole, regional strategy director for Capital Region Tourism (CRT), said: “The region will benefit from a huge profile boost generated by the world media spotlight which will fall on the capital region next year, both in the run up to the Ryder Cup, during the event itself and beyond. Visitors coming to Ryder Cup next year will have a fairly clear idea of what they want to do – watch golf.

“The forum was about helping businesses understand how to channel the excitement and profile generated by the Ryder Cup. Businesses need to understand that increased trade is not going to simply appear. They will need to look at their business and explore how they can become part of the wider golf tourism offer.”

A series of speakers talked about the support that is available from Visit Wales, Capital Region Tourism and Greens of Southern Wales to help tourism operators and accommodation providers gain from the Ryder Cup. Event organiser, Clare Birt, marketing director at Vibe PR and Marketing, said: “The support is there to help the operators seize the opportunities presented by the Ryder Cup 2010. A lot has been done recently to build on the success of golf tourism in the capital region. Improvements to the Greens of Southern Wales website make online booking for tee-times at a host of golf courses much easier and visitors can explore short breaks, special offers and lots of activities for the non-golfers in the party as well. Over the coming months, we will be working with the golf clubs and accommodation providers by organising press visits and launching a new social media campaign.”

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RDP grant helps local business to branch out

A Blaenavon bed and breakfast has become the first business to benefit from a Torfaen Rural Development Plan (RDP) support grant.

Fostering competitive, sustainable businesses and thriving rural communities is one of the main aims of the recently launched RDP, which is run by a partnership board and a local action group, creaTe.

Local farmers, businesses and community groups can apply to creaTe for grants up to £5,000 to help develop social enterprises, including new business start-ups and tourism enterprises.

The first of these grants has been awarded to Paul Williams, owner of Edlogan Bed and Breakfast in Blaenavon, who received £4,800.

He said: "I underestimated how much money would be needed to turn the dream into reality and this is where the RDP grant came in. We were delighted to find out that we were eligible for the scheme as Blaenavon is classified as a rural ward.

"The money has enabled us to complete the repairs and upgrades required to apply for four-star accreditation with Visit Wales. Without the council's free help and advice, the whole thing would have been a lot more difficult to achieve."

The RDP runs until 2013, with the aim of:

• Improving the quality of life in rural communities
• Strengthening the farming and forestry industries
• Safeguarding and enhancing Torfaen's environment and rural heritage
• Fostering competitive, sustainable businesses and thriving rural communities.

The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, said: "Through this plan, we can help transform the lives of people living and working in our rural communities, through improving diversity and supporting the development of new businesses.

"We are continually working with the farming community to identify and develop the use of land throughout the borough to help their businesses thrive, while also offering training to those involved."

There are seven wards in Torfaen classed as rural and rural-based business in these areas could be eligible for grant from the Branching Out Fund. The wards are Llanyrafon South, Blaenavon, Abersychan, Cwmynyscoy, Llantarnam, Two Locks and Wainfelin.

This programme is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

For more information on the Branching Out Fund, contact Emma Davies on 01495 742146 or email emma.davies3@torfaen.gov.uk

For more information about the RDP, contact Nikki Davies on 01495 742147 or email nicola.davies@torfaen.gov.uk

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Tourism Team Busy Promoting Torfaen To Visitors

Torfaen's tourism team have been busy promoting Torfaen in towns throughout the UK. The team supported by members of the Torfaen tourism association visited Telford, Newbury and Burton-On-Trent, to promote tourist attractions, activities and accommodation in Torfaen, equipped with an exhibition stand and leaflets.

The prize of a weekend break was used to encourage people to enter a competition, whilst also providing the opportunity to inform them of the wealth of attractions and activities in Torfaen, making it an ideal location for a short break.

The winners of the 2009 promotions were friends Mr O'Connell and Mr Banks from Burton-On-Trent. Both having a keen interest in heritage, decided to stay at Oakfield Bed & Breakfast in the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and chose their dates to coincide with the annual Cordell Festival at Blaenavon Ironworks a few weeks ago.

Executive member for regeneration, Councillor Richard Clark says: "Tourism in Torfaen is worth £48.4 million to the local economy and attracts over 896,000 visitors to the borough." Councillor Clark who was able to meet potential visitors when he joined the team for a day at Telford in May continued, "it is through activities such as these that we have been able to increase the number of visitors staying in Torfaen by 16% since 2004."

For more information about tourist attractions, activities and where to stay in Torfaen log on to www.visittorfaen.co.uk

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Quay Hotel named as first ‘Croeso’ Business

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, visited the Quay Hotel, Deganwy, to congratulate the staff on being the first business in Wales to successfully complete the new ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ training programme.

The new training programme, which is a joint venture by Visit Wales, The Welsh Language Board, the Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills and the Tourism Training Forum for Wales has been designed to help businesses offer visitors a unique Welsh Welcome.

The Quay Hotel is the first business to complete all three components of the programme which will allow them to display the ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ mark. The programme’s three elements include a course based on Customer Service and a further two self assessment modules. One module concentrates on knowledge and communication of local history, food, landscape, culture and language to develop and strengthen the business and locality’s sense of place. The third module is about the use of the Welsh language in the business. There are three levels to this module – Entry, Intermediate and Advanced. It aims to ensure that visitors hear and see the oldest living European language in use, from basic Welsh greetings to through to full use of bilingual signage.

Having completed the programme, General Manager of the Quay Hotel, Neil Beech commented:

"Each element of the training has brought a deeper understanding of our product to every member of my team, assuring the unique “Welsh” welcome awaits all our visitors and guests at the Quay Hotel & Spa."

Katie-Jane Pinker, Reception Manager at the Quay Hotel completed the programme and felt that it contributed to her confidence in dealing with customers and talking about the local area. Katie said:

"As someone not having grown up in Wales, I found the Welsh Welcome most useful in learning how to further embrace all things Welsh, and learning how to impart a positive Welsh flavour in and around our workplace."

In congratulating the Quay Hotel, the Heritage Minister, said:

"This new training programme gives those working in our tourism industry the confidence, skills and knowledge to share Wales’s language, history and culture with our visitors by providing a high quality welcome which is distinctive to Wales. Tourism is a highly competitive global industry and here in Wales we must always be on the look out for initiatives that give us the competitive advantage. I would encourage all businesses who come into contact with visitors to consider completing the Croeso Cynnes Cymreig training programme."

One way of creating a sense of place is by making sure local produce features on the menu. The Quay Hotel was also hosting a North Wales Quality Food Summit on the 16 September which aims to improve the profile of quality local food and beverage suppliers.

For business interested in signing up for the course contact 0845 010 8020
Further information on the Quay Hotel can be found at www.quayhotel.com

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All Blacks and Gold Rush

Fans are being urged by Welsh Rugby Union bosses to 'beat the Gold rush' and purchase the last few remaining official hospitality tickets for Wales' Invesco Perpetual Series opening clash with New Zealand on 7 November before it's too late.

General tickets for the All Blacks clash have been sold-out for weeks and official hospitality is in demand with the Millennium Stadium's 'Platinum' package also at full capacity and the new 'Bar 10' suite and 'Gold' package following suit.

'Gold Rush' is a new limited offer for the Gold boxes at the New Zealand game, giving purchasers who buy a minimum of 12 places or more a £100 credit on hospitality at 2010 RBS Six Nations home matches together with a WRU Replica jersey for the booker. All of which makes the 'Gold' package even more attractive at just £279 per person (a £20 reduction on the advertised price which will also be passed on to existing buyers).

"We have taken a unique approach to hospitality this year in that individual fans can buy places in shared boxes on the Gold package and single tickets for Bar 10, meaning that, after announcing a sell-out, these official packages represent the very best value available for fans wishing to attend the game," said WRU Group head of marketing Gwyn Dolphin.

"We are expecting a rush for the Gold and Bar 10 hospitality packages once fans realise this is the best and most affordable way to see the All Blacks in style now.

"Already fans who would not normally consider hospitality are snapping up tickets on an individual basis and realising the value for money the WRU can provide.

"And now block bookings carry the added incentive of credit for RBS Six Nations matches next season, which should appeal to businesses and fans who are buying in groups."

Gold Suite hospitality includes access to the Millennium Stadium's prestigious suites via fast track VIP turnstiles, a private balcony with padded seats, guaranteed premium views, a two course buffet and post-match savouries and complimentary bar, match programme and limited edition gift.

Full details of all hospitality packages across the four match series, which sees Wales take on New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina and Australia at the Millennium Stadium, are available at www.wru.co.uk or by calling the hotline 08443 722 722 - hospitality also remains the only way fans can officially access Wales' sold-out clashes with both the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

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Welsh fish is the catch of the day at Abergavenny Food Festival

It has been likened to the Cannes festival of the food world, and once again food lovers are spoilt for choice at the Abergavenny Food Festival.

The annual event attracts thousands of visitors who come:

• to taste and buy an array of food and drink;
• to watch top chefs in action, and;
• to take part in discussions about the food industry.

For the first time there is a dedicated Welsh fishing industry presence at the Festival with three Celtic Crab Products, Menai Oysters and the South and West Wales Fishing Communities.

Haverfordwest based Celtic Crab Products are selling a range of fresh Welsh crab and lobster products;

Menai Oysters, based in Anglesey, will be selling mussels and oysters farmed in the Menai Strait, with champagne also on offer to accompany the oysters;

The South and West Wales Fishing Communities - a fishermen's association based in south-west Wales – is selling a range of seasonal, locally-caught fresh Welsh fish.

There is an extremely buoyant aquaculture industry in Wales:

50% of Europe's mussels are supplied from North Wales, and;
shellfish accounts for the majority of landings by Welsh fishing boats;

with over 400 boats in the Welsh fleet.

However, there has historically been a lack of supply chain infrastructure something the Welsh Assembly Government is working with the industry to address.

The majority of Welsh catch is exported or sent to markets around the UK. However, the industry - including those companies mentioned above - is working hard to raise the profile and supply of Welsh fish within Wales.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said:

"With several hundred miles of pristine coastline, a wide range of fresh, high-quality seafood is landed year-round in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government is proud to have brought Welsh fish to the Abergavenny Food Festival for the first time as part of our drive to increase awareness of just how strong a product we have here in Wales, and to make that product available locally.

"The Food Festival here in Abergavenny is a “Gateway to Wales”, attracting people from around the world and showing them what Wales has to offer. The Welsh Assembly Government is pleased to support this prestigious event once again and I look forward to my visit.

"Abergavenny’s Market Hall and the Angel Hotel’s ballroom will host a variety of Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards winning produce. Monmouthshire was named True Taste Food Tourism Destination at last year’s awards and the historic market hall will be the focus of this year’s True Taste Awards. The climax of which will be held at the hall on November 19th.

"The Festival also embodies many of the principles of the Food Tourism Action Plan which was launched earlier this year by the Welsh Assembly Government. It highlights the importance of food to the tourism industry. It emphasises the need for high quality, local food as a means of providing an excellent visitor experience whilst in Wales."

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Redeveloping Rhyl’s Attractions

A study is looking at the best way to redevelop Rhyl's attractions.

Denbighshire County Council, the Department of Economy and Transport of the Welsh Assembly Government have commissioned a study from Roberts Limbrick Architects and Arwel Jones Associates, with the objective of reviewing the town’s key visitor attractions and to identify what, if any, new investment they should attract.

The study will examine the Suncentre and Pavilion Theatre, and other cultural and leisure facilities owned by the Council along the Denbighshire coastal strip, to ensure future capital investment is sustainable and meets the needs of a changing visitor market as well as the local community.

Owen Davies, Associate Director with Hyder said: “The coastal areas around Rhyl are a strategic priority for regeneration with significant investment being made in improving perception and experience of visitors to the town. The study will be building upon the work that has already started to address the visitor and local economy and masterplanning of Rhyl and we will be regularly meeting local stakeholders throughout the course of the study to ensure our work reflects the current and future potential for a sustainable, all-year, all weather attraction and theatre in Rhyl.”

Councillor David Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, said: "This latest project looking at regeneration in terms of coastal attractions is an important tool in the wider regeneration of Rhyl. The area is heavily dependent on the tourism industry which attracts thousands of holidaymakers and day trippers year on year to the resort.

"It is vitally important that we make the best use of our tourism and recreational assets to allow the industry to continue to flourish and provide a welcome boost in the town."

Photograph: The pier, Rhyl. Photochrom print. Circa 1890-1900. From the Library of Congress Detroit Publishing Co. Collection.

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Snowdonia Mountains and Coast Website Goes Live

The Welsh Assembly Government’s Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones has officially launched a new interactive tourism website for the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast area.

The new www.visitsnowdonia.info website will be the main marketing tool for promoting the Gwynedd and Conwy area as a first class tourist destination that can offer a variety of attractions and places to stay that please everyone.

The new site is easy to use and is a modern and interactive website that will provide an opportunity for the user to find the most suitable holiday and the top activities Snowdonia has to offer them.

The Welsh Assembly Government’s Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said: ”Technology is increasingly important to tourism businesses as it can play a key role in promoting our attractions and drawing in new visitors. Visit Wales is leading on a bid for EU funds which if successful will provide many more opportunities for the tourism industry to be a part of the Digital Marketing revolution.

“This website will show new potential visitors exactly why Snowdonia is such a popular destination. I wish the venture every success and hope that it will entice even more people to visit the area.”

The tourism sector is a hugely important factor for the economy of the Snowdonia Mountains and Sea area, contributing £802 million to the Gwynedd economy in 2008 for and £558 million in Conwy.

The new www.visitsnowdonia.info website will be an important stage the tourism industry in Gwynedd and Conwy to showcase what they have to offer to potential visitors.

Councillor Dewi Lewis, who leads on Economy and Community for Gwynedd Council added: "The Snowdonia area has something to offer everyone - from seaside towns and historic castles and wonderful footpaths and biking trails to sailing and canoeing on the magnificent lakes and rivers and enjoying the area’s spectacular mountains.

"Information about all kinds of attractions as well as places to stay - whether they’re hotels, self catering or camping and caravan sites - will be available on the new Snowdonia Mountains and Coast website.

"It’s a fact that the way that people look for holidays and holiday activities are changing, with potential visitors much more likely these days to want to find information online. That’s why this new website is a key resource to ensuring that the Gwynedd and Conwy area will continue to be a very popular destination for visitors of all ages."

The new modern website will mean that it will be possible to send information directly to mobile phones as well as working hand in hand with social network sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The new website has been developed by the local IT company Wiss, whose headquarters are located in Parc Menai, Bangor.

Photograph: The Welsh Assembly Government’s Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones during the launch of the new Snowdonia Mountains and Coast website

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Churches open doors to share rich heritage

From magnificent cathedrals to humble rural chapels, churches across Wales will be opening their doors this weekend to welcome visitors and show off Wales’ rich ecclesiastical heritage.

More than 150 churches will be taking part in Open Churches Day on Saturday (Sept 19). While many of them are open for visitors all the year round, this is an opportunity for them to highlight and celebrate the treasures most of us miss or take for granted, as well as look at important social documents, such as baptism and marriage registers. There will be guided tours, food and drink, exhibitions, activities for children and special services to welcome visitors.

The event is organised by Churches Tourism Network Wales which has details of churches taking part on its website, www.ctnw.co.uk.

The Bishop of St Davids, the Rt. Rev Wyn Evans, supports the initiative, now in its third year. He says,

“I welcome this Open Church Day which encourages people to visit Wales’ wonderful heritage of historic churches. Our Churches are gifts to be shared with the many. They are places of worship, but also they tell the story of our communities through the generations, reminding us who we are and where we have come from.

“It may not be feasible to have all our churches open most of the time but it is possible for most of them to be open some of the time. Open Churches Day provides us with a particular occasion for this to happen. What witness to God does an almost permanently padlocked building give to those who wish to visit it?”

“The Visitors Book is a reminder that an open church is greatly valued by all sorts of visitors for a wide variety of reasons.”

Professor Eleri Jones, director of tourism research in Cardiff School of Management at UWIC, says,

“It is encouraging that so many small and not so small churches are making September 19th a special day by encouraging visitors to experience the heritage and stories lying within these buildings. Local communities have a very important role to play in welcoming the visitor and highlighting the special story and history of their local area."

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