Film showcasing Denbighshire’s tourism hotspots
A brand new film promoting key tourism experiences and attractions in Denbighshire has been launched to coincide with Visit Wales’ Year of Discovery.
The film features key destinations including the brand new SC2 in Rhyl, Barkby Beach Prestatyn, Denbigh Castle, St Asaph Cathedral, Nantclwyd y Dre, Ruthin Gaol, Ruthin Craft Centre, Dinas Brân, Llangollen Railway, Plas Newydd and Valle Crucis Abbey as well as a variety of experiences like kite surfing in Rhyl, cycling on the Horseshoe Pass, paragliding in Llangollen, mountain biking in One Planet Adventure and stand up paddle boarding on the River Dee.
The film was launched at the recent Tourism Forum, where nearly 100 people gathered to hear from guest speakers including Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Development Bank of Wales. The Forum is held twice a year and has proven to be a huge success for tourism businesses to learn from each other and develop new partnerships.
The film really showcases the beauty of Denbighshire from Llangollen and the Dee Valley in the south to the northern coastal towns of Prestatyn and Rhyl. With the start of the main tourism season upon us and the recent opening of SC2 in Rhyl, we urge both visitors and local people to re-discover our part of North Wales.
North Wales is fast becoming the renowned destination for being the capital of adventure and this film really highlights the varied and accessible experiences available in the county for all ages and interests.
The film received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. It forms part of the Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador project which will be launched shortly. It aims to improve the visitor experience by providing online training modules about Denbighshire’s tourism offer.
To view the film, please visit North East Wales Facebook or YouTube Channel.
Ruthin is Denbighshire’s first coach-friendly town
Ruthin has been declared Denbighshire’s first coach-friendly town.
The town has been awarded Coach Friendly Town status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT). Ruthin joins the few select places that have also achieved this status in Wales – namely Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Llandudno and Cardiff.
Heather Williams, Ruthin town councillor and Chairman of the working group set up to achieve this status said “A couple of years ago, the Council's Tourism Marketing and Events team invited representatives of Denbighshire town/city councils to go on a learning journey to Betws-y-Coed. Whilst there, we had discussions with the Destination Manager of Conwy County Borough Council about how Conwy county had achieved coach friendly status for three towns.”
“Following this visit, Ruthin Town Council set up a working group to assess how Ruthin could meet the criteria needed to meet coach friendly status. We are now really pleased to be awarded this prestigious title. We hope that this new status will enable the town to attract more coach tours, and therefore more visitors, to this historic and attractive town. Ruthin has so much to offer, such as the internationally renowned Craft Centre, the fascinating Gaol and historic timber-framed Nantclwyd y Dre.”
The criteria to achieve coach friendly status includes clear signage for visiting coaches, adequate coach parking provision, facilities for groups and a website providing information for coach groups. Ruthin Town Council added additional information to its website to give practical information and details of attractions and trails/tours for coach companies/group organisers. Further information can be found on the website page www.visitruthin.wales/about-ruthin
It is hoped that the award for Ruthin will encourage other places in Denbighshire to work on achieving coach friendly status, in order to encourage even more visitors to the county.
Tourism Strategy for Wales: join in the conversation!
In 2020, the Tourism Strategy for Wales will be coming to an end, and Visit Wales are starting to think about its successor. Before developing future priorities for tourism and the wider visitor economy in Wales, Visit Wales want to know what you think, so they have launched a wider conversation about tourism in Wales.
This conversation has started with ten key questions which identifies some of the big future challenges for Wales. They are interested in your views on these questions … whether you are a visitor, part of the tourism industry or anyone who lives in Wales.
You can give your feedback here or you can e-mail future.tourism@gov.wales.
The deadline for responses is 31 May 2019.
Latest Events: What's On?
Take a look at the latest ‘What’s On’ booklet for the latest events happening across Denbighshire until the end of May.
Free printed copies of the June – September 2019 edition will be available soon in local libraries, tourist information centres and local businesses.
Alternatively, take a look online on the North East Wales website.
Keep posted on tourism news!
Would you like to hear about the latest tourism news in Denbighshire & North East Wales?
If so, it’s easy and simple to sign up >>> www.denbighshire.gov.uk/business-sign-up-for-tourism
Looking for new places to visit this year?
Need a bit of inspiration? 
For ideas of things to do and places to visit in our stunning corner of North Wales, take a look at www.northeastwales.wales