Tourism Message Is “Getting Lost” Say Snowdonia Businesses

It is a message that is being conveyed by traders connected to the tourism industry in Wales, but I wonder whether their counterparts in other parts of the country sometimes think the same. The message in question is that they feel that there are too many bodies trying to promote the tourism industry in Wales leading to unnecessary duplication.

Snowdonia National Park

Pointing out the existence of bodies such as Cadw, the Welsh Heritage body, and the Welsh Government sponsored body Visit Wales, they also refer to local councils and area tourism groups, all of whom sometimes appear to be promoting the same message.

Snowdonia businesses feel that somehow the overall tourism message is being lost, and their concern is such that The Welsh government has agreed to their request for a meeting.

Attractions Of Snowdonia is a group that works with around thirty tourism operators to promote attractions in the area, and its chair, Jonathan Williams-Ellis, said: "There are too many people - all with their fingers on the buttons.... we're losing our message to potential customers.

"We're unhappy with the way the tourism industry is being governed or being looked after by the [Welsh] government at the moment. We're always working with different people and we don't seem to have a single message. We see duplication of work, different ideas, different PR [public relations] organisations working and something's got to happen. It's not good."

Snowdon Mountain Railway

With the Welsh government having set a target to increase earnings from tourism by 10% or more by 2020, there are concerns in North Wales that this is all fine and dandy but there has been insufficient discussion.

Chris Chance, secretary-manager at Conwy Golf Club, said: "We weren't asked for any feedback. If you're going to consult then you need to consult the actual attractions, not just the bodies they report to."

Attractions of Snowdonia also takes the view that marketing should be improved at both Liverpool and Manchester airports to attract visitors to Wales. Having requested a meeting with the Welsh Economy Minister Edwina Hart, they hope that it can be arranged as quickly as possible, as we move into the second half of the summer tourism season.

                                              http://www.attractionsofsnowdonia.com/