A new £1 million fund will help to ensure tourism attractions
across Wales can welcome visitors whatever the weather.
The 'Year of Croeso Weather-Proofing Fund' is being launched as
Visit Wales celebrates the unique welcome that can only be found
in Wales that means many choose to return time and again.
The fund will provide grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 to
eligible businesses, enabling them to implement weather-proofing
measures.
Tourism makes an important contribution to Wales, putting £3.8bn
into the Welsh economy each year, thanks to the huge amount the
country has to offer visitors who can be assured of a wonderful
Welsh welcome come rain or shine.
But recent data from Visit Wales showed poor weather was cited by
55% of businesses as the reason for fewer visitors in summer 2024
– even ahead of cost-of-living pressures.
Similarly, the Domestic Sentiment Tracker survey identified UK
weather as the top factor dissuading people from taking domestic
breaks.
The grants could therefore cover a variety of measures like
canopies, sustainable drainage, covered seating areas, visitor
shelters or improved pathways and car park surfaces.
Announcing the fund, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility
for Tourism, said:
“Naturally, Wales has an incredibly strong offer when it comes to
tourism and our visitors can always be guaranteed a warm croeso.
“But as the weather, which has carved out our impressive
landscapes throughout history, becomes more-and-more
unpredictable, it has been identified as the single biggest
factor affecting visitor numbers to Welsh attractions.
“Poor weather can stop them operating as normal, impact on the
experience and has the potential to discourage visits in the
first place.
“That's why we have listened to the concerns of people working in
the tourism attraction sector and launched this fund, helping
them prepare for increasingly variable weather patterns.”
The Welsh Government's tourism strategy, ‘Welcome to Wales:
Priorities for the Visitor Economy 2020-25' emphasises the
importance of tackling seasonality by promoting Wales as a nation
you can visit all year round.
Welsh Government support for the sector over the next financial
year includes:
- Visit Wales: Over £9m revenue budget and £6m capital budget
- A £50m Wales Tourism Investment Fund
- A £5m Brilliant Basics Fund
The Cabinet Secretary added:
“All visitors, wherever they come from, will discover a
destination delivering a great experience and we are always
helping build on and improve the offer in Wales.
“These grants will help our tourism attractions become more
resilient, extend their season and improve the visitor
experience, supporting both the businesses and the wider Welsh
economy.”
Notes to editors
- Applications for the Year of Croeso Weather-Proofing Fund
opened after Easter and will remain open until 22 May 2025.
- More information: Funding | Supporting you
| Industry Visit Wales
- Data from the Visit Wales Business Barometer, Summer 2024
wave
- Visit Wales' Year of Croeso flagship campaign launched in
January, inviting visitors to ‘feel the hwyl'–
celebrating the joyful moments unique to Wales.
