WIREDGOV

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates recently had an opportunity to see developments at the One Planet Adventure in Denbighshire to see how the centre has developed over the last ten years.

One Planet Adventure contributes to the £481 million which outdoor activity generates to the Welsh economy. The centre employs 14 full time members of staff and 20 part time and due to the recent change of ownership of the forest they hope to increase their visitor numbers to 280,000 per annum.

The new Chair of the Welsh Government’s Tourism Advisory Board, Margaret Llewellyn OBE, accompanied the Deputy Minister on his visit.  Margaret Llewellyn will now lead the board for the next three years.  The Tourism Advisory Board provides the Welsh Government with direct expert advice ensuring that the views and priorities of the industry help inform policy development.  

Margaret Llewellyn, said:

“Having been a Tourism Advisory Board member I’m pleased to have this opportunity to lead the board and to continue with the excellent work which is being done to deliver on the tourism strategy for Wales and to grow the industry in Wales by 10% by 2020.    The tourism industry is going from strength to strength with figures for 2015 showing growth on last year – which was a record breaking year for Wales.  I look forward to working with the industry the Deputy Minister and Visit Wales to sustain this excellent performance.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Margaret as chair of the Tourism Advisory Board and look forward to working with the Board to make sure that tourism as one of our priority sectors continues to grow and prosper.  One of our key initiatives is the themed years approach.  The Year of Adventure is all about building on a wave of exciting new openings and developments, and over 10 years of ongoing investment to make Wales one of the UK’s leading adventure destinations – and give people compelling reasons to visit Wales – now.  

“Tourism in Wales is about experience and adventure.  Holidays here are not just about appreciating a wonderful view and our amazing landscapes but about the adventures which can be had within our landscape and make Wales an engaging place to visit.

“Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of taking part in several Welsh adventures and know first hand, that Wales’s strength is the fantastic range of adventures we have to offer visitors of all ages, all abilities – high-adrenaline, of course, and also a variety of physical, cultural and natural adventures Wales for all ages, all abilities. Wales is epic for everyone – and that’s a great message for all of us to get behind."

Mountain Biking is one of Wales’ key strengths and in order to attract further interest in Mountain Biking for 2016, the Wales Mountain Bike Marketing and Development Group have been awarded funding from the Welsh Government’s Tourism Product Innovation Fund Project (TPIF).  

Ian Owen, vice-chair of the Wales Mountain Bike Marketing and Development Group and Director at One Planet Adventure explains the opportunities which Year of Adventure 2016 presents to the company and to Mountain biking in Wales: Ian said:

“We are pleased to have grown One Planet Adventure to be the biggest adventure destination in North East Wales.  Wales has the best mountain bike trails in the UK and we will be working together during the Year of Adventure to bring in as many visitors as we can to our centres.”

During his visit, the Deputy Minister took to the trails and cycled around one of the family trails.  The centre has trails suitable for everyone from beginners through to experienced mountain bikers and there are also four walking routes, varying in length, and two 10km running trails. All routes start and finish at the One Planet Visitor centre which also offers a quality bike, accessories and clothing shop, a repair workshop with a full-time mechanic on hand, a meeting room which is available to hire, and an award winning café which prides itself on the use of local produce.