Local tourism infrastructure and visitor facilities support scheme

If you are using this scheme to provide awards of subsidy, you must inform the Subsidy Control Unit – email: scu@gov.wales

All Wales

Local Tourism Infrastructure And Visitor Facilities Support

Section 126 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (“the 1996 Act”)

Section 58A of GoWA 2006

Section 60 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (GoWA 2006)

The scheme will focus on destinations and locations where there is a clear strategic need for improved tourism infrastructure investment with a particular focus on areas which experience high visitor footfall.

While the projects supported by the scheme will not in themselves drive visitors, it will invest in facilities that will improve visitor and local satisfaction, provide better facilities for disabled visitors and enhance the environmental sustainability of key destinations. These elements, if missing or not managed properly can deter visitors from coming or stop them from returning.

The scheme’s objectives are:

• environmentally sustainable destinations and responding to the climate emergency
• alleviate pressure points at ‘hot spot’ locations and supporting high quality tourism destination
• inclusive tourism and enhancing accessibility
• enhancing the visitor offer

Welsh Government

The scheme will focus on destinations and locations where there is a clear strategic need for improved tourism infrastructure investment, and is open to:

• local authorities
• national park authorities

All projects must demonstrate partnership collaboration with wider destination partners and cross sector consultation. Local authorities will need to demonstrate that they have engaged with wider destination partners and with the Destination Management Partnerships / Organisation where they are established. Local authorities can also include projects delivered by third sector partners in their bids.

Other service activities

4 October 2024 until 31 March 2030

£12,500,000

All subsidy awarded under the scheme will be awarded by way of grants.

The fund will prioritise strategic investment in tourist destinations and as a result will only be open to local authorities and national park authorities. This will enable us to prioritise the funds available towards infrastructure projects in strategically important tourist destinations where there is clear evidence of need.

The project must align with the fund priorities and fit with their own destination / local authority infrastructure priorities.

The subsidy intensity shall not exceed 80% of eligible costs.

£500,000