Bannau Brycheiniog Tourism held their annual ‘Spring Social’ at the National Park Visitor Centre in partnership with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and it was well attended by over sixty local businesses, Councillor Rosemarie Harris (Leader of Powys County Council) and Assembly Member Kirsty Williams (Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire).
The evening event offered local businesses the opportunity to network with each other in preparation for the main tourism season and took place during Wales Tourism Week 2018, which is held annually, coordinated by the Wales Tourism Alliance to raise the profile of the tourism industry in Wales. Bannau Brycheiniog was recently awarded the title of ‘Wales’ Best Destination’ and the evening celebrated the achievement highlighting the importance of an integrated working approach between the public and private sector.
Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:
“The event was a fantastic celebration of our beautiful National Park. Sitting in that incredible setting, at the visitor centre, it was very easy to see how the Bannau Brycheiniog were voted Wales’ ‘Best Destination’ at The National Tourism Awards this year.
“There was a real sense of drive and determination from the small businesses in attendance to increase the number of international and domestic visitors to this area and, given what I saw, I am sure they will be successful.”
The tourism industry is fundamental to the local economy within the Bannau Brycheiniog region with visitors bringing in £250 million annually and supporting nearly 4,000 full time jobs. The National Award highlights how well the destination is delivering on building a sustainable tourism economy.
The National Park Visitor Centre near Libanus is open between 9.30 and 4.30 every day of the week and provides face to face information to visitors.
Colin Evans, Chairman of Bannau Brycheiniog Tourism added;
“It was fantastic to see so many businesses attend our social and enjoy the evening of networking. This year’s Wales Tourism Week’s theme is ‘Cooperating to Compete’ which is quite apt as we are also here to celebrate the Bannau Brycheiniog being named the “Best Destination in Wales” at the recent Welsh National Tourism Awards.
We are all delighted to have won the destination award. It’s a huge achievement and recognition of all the collaborative partnership work which has taken place over the last 10 years or so between Bannau Brycheiniog Tourism, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, the stakeholders who sit on the Bannau Brycheiniog Sustainable Destination Partnership, tourism businesses and local communities who have all helped develop and showcase the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog”.
Julian Atkins, CEO Bannau Brycheiniog National Park said;
“It’s a wonderful evening here tonight at the Visitor Centre with Pen y Fan looking quite spectacular as our backdrop. Winning Wales’ Best Destination is a great achievement for the Bannau Brycheiniog and reflects the hard work and determination that has been shown by partners and local businesses. Sustainable tourism is fundamental to the local economy and as a National Park we work to ensure that tourism businesses are able to promote what makes the Bannau Brycheiniog a special place and our role in keeping it that way.”
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