Wales Tourist Board Action Plan

 

WALES TOURIST BOARD’S CONTRIBUTION TO DELIVERY OF THE WOODLANDS for WALES STRATEGY 

• Wales Tourist Board (WTB) is the lead body for the development of tourism in Wales.
• ‘Achieving our Potential’ is the tourism strategy for Wales – the vision for the future of tourism in Wales is:

  "A mature, confident and prosperous industry which is making a vital and increasing contribution to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of Wales by achieving sustainable growth through effective co-ordination and collaboration at all levels in the industry".

• Sustainability; Quality; Competitiveness; Partnership, are key themes which apply to all parts of the tourism strategy. These principles also tie in with Woodland Strategy objectives of using the woodlands as assets where each contributes to the maximum achievable according to natural assets, geographic location, shared use, and appropriate promotion.
  
  
• WTB Product Development deals with cycling, walking, fishing, horse-riding, and adventure tourism, seeking to bring additional economic benefit to Wales through focused development and marketing of these specialist sectors.
  
  
  

Mountain Biking	Conventional and new media marketing of 7 centres of excellence (resorts) across Wales, encouraging creation of additionality at these centres, and working with local communities to tie them into these initiatives.
Walking	Working with FE and CCW to encourage better maintenance of Public Rights of Way, better marketing of walking opportunities across Wales, and the development of local networks to complement the 3 National Walking Trails.
Fishing	Working with the Environment Agency and others to improve fishing opportunities, fish stocks, and the overall quality of the fishing experience in Wales.
Horse Riding	While not as advanced, horse riding will work with partners to increase quality at existing centres; to create ‘horse riding resorts,’ with linked facilities and bridleways; and work to create at least one national bridle trail.
Tourism Growth Areas (TGA)	WTB has designated 16 Tourism Growth Areas – total budget of £15.5m over a 6 year period. Where appropriate, WTB is working with the Forestry Commission and Forest Enterprise on the development of these areas eg: Afan Forest Park; Brecon Beacons; Ceredigion – Ystwyth Valley; Central Powys; Dyfi Valley; Tywi Valley – Pobl y Fforest, Brechfa; Conwy Valley; South Gwynedd; Swansea – Margam Forest.
Woodland Forum - Tourism and Recreation Working Group	WTB chairs this group - please refer to Working Group notes (Agenda Item 2 – Paper 07/2002)

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