Three Wrexham Projects Get Funding Boost – ‘Tourism Together Stronger’

The Economy Secretary has called on the tourism industry to work together to think of fewer, bigger, better ideas which will give people compelling reasons to visit Wales.

Cabinet secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates has announced funding for Regional tourism projects for 2016 during the launch of the North East Wales Tourism Ambassadors Scheme.

The scheme, which was launched at the Holt Lodge Hotel, was successful in receiving funding through Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund in 2015. The funding aims to encourage destinations to work together to deliver high quality products which are aligned to Visit Wales’ themed years.

The scheme is about bringing businesses together across Wrexham and the north east and encourage people to work together in order to strengthen the awareness of what the area has to offer as a place to visit. This in turn also raises the quality of the overall visitor welcome and experience as tourism businesses can signpost visitors to other attractions and accommodation and make sure that local produce is featured on menus in the in the area.

The scheme operates through a partnership approach – with Wrexham County Borough Council’s Destination Management Team using funding to support businesses via events such as learning journeys, training events, customer engagement sessions and promotion of North east Wales as a great place to have an adventure.

The Economy Secretary announced that 16 projects across Wales have been approved for 2016/17, with a value of just over £870,000. Further plans for these projects will now be developed with the successful Destination Management Partnerships.

In making the announcement, the Economy Secretary called on the industry to work together to build big innovative ideas which would benefit tourism in the regions. He said: “The outstanding success of our Wales football team at this year’s European Championship will have escaped the attention of nobody. I mention this because I think there are important lessons for us to learn. The motto of the team in this campaign has been ‘Together Stronger’. And there are real advantages to be had – in tourism – as in Football – by working together and this has been clearly demonstrated through the work done by the North East Wales Tourism Ambassadors Scheme.

Here in Wrexham County Borough, the Destination Partnership team (you will have seen them under the ‘Destination Wrexham’ brand) has been awarded £60,000 for three key projects. These are to continue to successful Wrexham Tourism Ambassador Scheme, develop & enhance the offer for Cruise group travel visits from both the Ports of Liverpool & Holyhead and finally to work with local tourism businesses to create experiences and events which align to the Welsh 2017 Year of Legends.

Speaking about the funding award, Joe Bickerton, Destination Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council said, “We’re now into our fourth full year delivering Destination Management & Marketing within Wrexham and during that time, over 100 tourism businesses in the County Borough have worked with us to develop their offer. Through familiarisation visits, food challenges, training, our annual awards and much more – the positivity amongst businesses in this sector is really strong and setting a great example to other destinations around Wales about the importance of working together in this industry.

“We can do all we can to get people into Wrexham, but if the first impression at a reception desk is poor – that will stay with them, no matter how good the rest of their stay is. Therefore as a Destination Partnership – we’ll be working hard to push ourselves and the businesses we work with to get this right, first time.”

Willington Lodge is a five-star Country House B&B just outside Bangor-on-Dee and have been part of the local ambassador scheme since the inception. Pamela Morris, owner says “We thoroughly love running our B&B and meeting guests from all over the world, however it is important to stay close and learn from other local businesses connected to the tourism sector. The North East Wales Ambassador scheme allows us to go on learning journeys which involves visiting other tourism businesses and experience what is on offer.

“I am proud that Willington Lodge has won a number of awards, especially the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice which confirms that we are one of the top 25 B&Bs in the UK during 2015 and 2016. The ambassador scheme has certainly assisted us in securing these awards and we appreciate all the dedication and time from Joe Bickerton and his team within the Wrexham Council”.

Two projects supported by last year’s Regional Tourism Engagement Funding were also launched at the event.

A project between Destination Wrexham and the Hospitality, Tourism and Event students at Glyndwr University culminated with the production of a “12 Tastes of Wrexham” book. The book showcases a number of recipes researched by the students which feature local produce from within Wrexham. The recipes themselves are a mix of dishes donated by members of the public and local chef’s – each with a strong link back to Wrexham.

In addition, with the areas “food tourism” offer developing each year – the Holt Lodge Hotel launched their “Travels of Elihu Yale” dish, celebrating a local legend with three cuts of lamb, each with a different flavouring inspired by Yale’s travels to America, India and of course Wales!

The “12 tastes of Wrexham” book is now available from the Tourist Information Centre in Wrexham and the “Elihu Yale” lamb dish will be available at the Holt Lodge hotel (weekends only) until Christmas.