Welsh Government
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Tourism figures give confidence ahead of Easter weekend
As the Tourism industry in Wales gears up for a busy Easter weekend, figures released today show that 2013 was a bumper year for tourism with Wales seeing an increase in the number of visitors at a time when Britain as a whole experienced a downturn in domestic visitor numbers and spend
The Great Britain Tourism Survey for 2013 shows that British residents made 9.93 million visits to Wales, 3.4% up in comparison with 2012 (9.60 million). Wales outperformed Britain as a whole for which trips were 2.5% down compared with 2012.
Expenditure associated with visits to Wales rose by nearly 7% with visitors spending £1.7 billion while on holiday in Wales during 2013. Expenditure on trips to GB as a whole fell by almost 3%.
The figures are announced while the Tourism Minister, Edwina Hart is visiting Pembrokeshire to open the new A477 before having a pre-view of the Coppet Hall Beach Centre and Coast Restaurant, near Saundersfoot and opening new developments at Tenby Golf Club.
Coppet Hall Beach Centre is funded through the £35 million European Regional Development Fund-backed Environment for Growth project via Visit Wales and aims to improve visitor facilities and experience of the Welsh coastline. This beautiful seaside location, owned by the Hean Castle Estate has been used as a car park and beach facility for more than 50 years.
The centre, which has been under construction for almost a year, will create and safeguard 13 jobs increasing to 30 over the peak summer months. In addition to the panoramic glass fronted restaurant with a large external terrace, the centre has a watersports retail and hire centre, a Kiosk for takeaway snacks and drinks, along with new public toilets and family changing rooms. In the coming months some local history interpretation and Tourist Information will be added to the central foyer.
David Lewis of Hean Castle Estate, said:
“I am delighted that this project is now nearing completion, and hope that it will become a landmark destination in this part of the county. I particularly want to thank the team at Acanthus Holden Architects, and WB Griffiths and Son builders, both Pembrokeshire based businesses, who have worked together to create this fantastic building, which features a large number of ‘eco friendly’ features, and boasts a BREEAM Excellent rating.
"We are extremely pleased that respected local hoteliers Neil Kedward and Zoe Agar from The Grove in Narberth have taken on the Restaurant, which will soon be making its mark on the Pembrokeshire culinary map. Negotiations with an operator for the watersports centre are now at an advanced stage and we hope they will be concluded shortly.”
Coast Restaurant, which is part of the development, has received £34,000 from Visit Wales’ Tourism Investment Support Scheme and will open on Easter Monday. Coast is one of 34 businesses throughout Wales to have shared more than £2 million in tourism investment funding during 2013-14 which has the potential to create and safeguard some 250 jobs in the tourism sector.
Coast Restaurant is being set up by Swansea born Neil Kedward and Zoe Agar, the team behind The Grove, Narberth and Will Holland has been appointed Head Chef and has relocated to Saundersfoot. Neil and Zoe know that the reputation of a restaurant is built around the chef, which is why we are both delighted and very proud to have Will Holland as their Head Chef.
Neil said:
“This is a massive coup for Pembrokeshire and the West Wales Food Scene and the whole team and many of our guests at The Grove and beyond are very excited about the opening.”
Tourism Minister, Edwina Hart, said:
“These figures will give the tourism industry in Wales an extra boost ahead of what is traditionally hailed as the start of the tourism season. I hope we can to build on last year’s successes and work together to achieve the 10% growth outlined in the tourism strategy for Wales. I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is able to support iconic projects such as Coppet Hall Beach Centre and Coast Restaurant which are key to delivering this growth. Investment in better quality visitor facilities supports higher performance and drives profitability. I wish tourism businesses throughout Wales a successful Easter.”
At Tenby Golf Club – Wales oldest Golf club – the Minister will join Welsh professional Golfer Philip Price to open a new driving range which is an extension of the Ryder Cup 2010 Legacy Project and will also open new accommodation for golfers. Recent figures showed that total value of Golf Tourism in 2013 was £38 million, an increase of £4.7 million compared with 2012. The Minister will also see some of the winter storm damage to the course which has received Welsh Government funding for repair work.
