Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
This written statement outlines a new structure for Welsh Government support for tourism across the regions of Wales.
The tourism strategy – Partnership for Growth 2013-2020 – highlighted the need to review the structure of regional tourism in order to achieve the strategy aim of growing tourism earnings in Wales by 10% or more by 2020.
This review also required some re-alignment within Visit Wales to help facilitate a stronger and more focused working partnership with the industry and key stakeholders to support more effective delivery of programmes and projects across Wales.
Following advice from the Tourism Advisory Board and a 12 week consultation period with the industry to consider options for future tourism support and delivery in the regions, Welsh Government funding for the four Regional Tourism Partnerships will cease after 30 September 2014.
In place of these partnerships, a new Regional Engagement Team will be established within Welsh Government as part of Visit Wales. This change will provide a simpler and more focused structure for the development of tourism taking account of wider Welsh Government initiatives and policies for economic growth. New regional representatives will be recruited to the Tourism Advisory Board.