Autumn Inspiration
Looking for events and places to visit over the autumn period? Take a look at www.northeastwales.wales for ideas on things to do and the latest events across North East Wales.
Free tourism leaflets direct to your door
Do you have a business? Would you like to provide your guests/visitors with free tourism-based leaflets? Leaflets on offer include Denbighshire Town Trails, Ruthin Craft Centre, and Denbighshire 5 Journeys. You simply complete a form requesting your leaflet choices and quantities required and they are delivered direct to your door, all free of charge. Forms must be returned by 9 October.
Please contact the Tourism Team for more details – tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone 01824 706223.
Benefits of tourism in Denbighshire increase
The economic benefit of tourism in Denbighshire is continuing to grow. The latest STEAM economic impact figures show that in 2017 tourism brought £490.35million into the local economy, an increase of 2.3% on 2016, and of 70% since 2007.
Last year tourism supported 6,231 jobs in Denbighshire, while 5.93m people visited the county, an increase of 25 per cent since 2007, for a total of 11.58m days. The number of visitors to the coast increased to 3.16m, as did the number of visitor days spent (6.92m) and the number of staying visitors (900,000).
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “The latest figures showing an increase in the overall economic benefit of tourism in Denbighshire are really encouraging, despite 2017 being a challenging year in terms of the weather.
“The county has so much to offer, a beautiful coastline, rural market towns, areas of outstanding natural beauty, a host of outdoor activities as well as a wealth of history and some fantastic local produce and shops.
“Particularly encouraging is the increase in coastal tourism. With the addition of two new hotels in Rhyl, the SC2 visitor attraction due to open next year, as well as the already established 1891 restaurant and the Nova in Prestatyn, we would expect these figures to continue to grow. This shows investment from the Council and the private sector is having a real impact on the economic prosperity of Denbighshire, which is a priority under our Corporate Plan.”
In total last year there were 1.5m staying visitors who contributed a total of £331.46m to the economy in 2017, a 50 per cent increase in staying visitors compared to 2007.
Dave Jones, who owns the four-star Plas Efenechtyd Cottage B&B, near Ruthin, said: “We have seen an increase in overseas visitors staying longer, especially from the Netherlands, Germany and the USA. This year bookings over the summer months have been strong.
“Most people arrive with an idea of what they want to see and do but without much knowledge of Welsh history, geography and politics, something I would like to see addressed.
“The latest figures are encouraging and we look forward to continuing to work with Denbighshire and other key partnerships like the Clwydian Range Tourism Group to create themed itineraries and create attractive packages that will appeal to a variety of visitors.”
The Council continues to support tourism via strong partnership working in North Wales to capitalise on the growing tourism market. The Council also runs projects to upskill staff working in tourism related businesses to improve the visitor experience, creates new tourism leaflets and promotional films to reach wider audiences as well supporting key events and festivals such as Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Go North Wales Tourism Awards
Back for a third year, the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, in partnership with Heart, will be taking place on Thursday, 15th November 2018 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
The purpose of the awards is to celebrate and recognise excellence in the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. The awards will showcase and celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of those working in the industry.
If you are involved in our region’s tourism industry then these awards are for you!
There are 13 categories and nominations are now open! You can nominate your own tourism business, or the best tourism business which you have experienced. It’s really easy to nominate, just choose a category and click on the link to open the nomination form. You can nominate in as many categories as you like, but will need to submit a separate entry in each category. Deadline for entries is Sunday 7th October.
Nominate at: http://www.gonorthwalestourismawards.co.uk
Denbighshire Tourism Forum & Google Digital Garage
Do you have an interest in tourism? A Forum set up to keep tourism businesses, students and anyone with an interest in tourism, up to date with the latest developments in the industry takes place this October. Key speakers include representatives from Visit Wales presenting on investment opportunities for businesses and Keep Wales Tidy.
The next Denbighshire Tourism Forum will be on Wednesday 10th October at the Oriel House, St Asaph. This free event offers a great opportunity for delegates to network, learn new skills and share experiences, knowledge and ideas.
Google Digital Garage are running free sessions on digital marketing during the afternoon. Sessions include building a digital marketing plan and creating a social media strategy based on your business goals.
To book on the Tourism Forum and/or Google Digital Garage sessions please visit https://denbighshiretourismforumandgoogledigitalgarage.eventbrite.co.uk
An exhibition has opened in Llangollen
A photography exhibition showcasing the region’s outstanding coastline has opened in Llangollen.
The exhibition at Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Y Capel, Llangollen, celebrates Visit Wales’s themed years, 2018 being Year of the Sea.
The exhibition called Routes to the Sea was commissioned by Denbighshire County Council and funded by the North East Wales Partnership.
Local photographer Craig Colville, has captured the area’s ‘routes to the sea’ from a different perspective to create interesting and thought provoking images.
The saleable exhibition will be on until the end of October and Llangollen Tourist Information Centre is open every day from 9.30am to 4pm, expect Thursdays.