South East Introduction

VISIT WALES | Regional Investment Update SOUTH EAST INTRODUCTION

Visit Wales has a number of We have capital and revenue support for both the public and private sector that bring forward funding mechanisms and support innovative products that help to sell Wales in a schemes to help the tourism more modern way to the UK and international marketplace. industry in Wales to develop This brochure provides some top level information their products. and a small selection of those tourism products in your area.

Contacts Useful website links: For more information or advice, please contact: Finance Capital funding (TISS, TAIS and MSBF) businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/finance Theresa Cartlidge – Regional Analyst Thematic Years [email protected] businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/thematic-years +44 (0) 3000 615 710 The Wales Way Revenue funding (RTEF and TPIF) thewalesway.com Louisa Giles – Regional Engagement Manager Visit Wales [email protected] visitwales.com – @visitwales +44 (0) 3000 616 012 traveltrade.visitwales.com – @visitwalestrade visitwales.com/businessevents – @MeetInWales Tourism Zone businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/ – @visitwalesbiz Email your product news [email protected] Email your industry enquiries [email protected]

01 TOURISM IN £2.132b 5 to 1 SOUTH EAST WALES: TOP FACTS AND Annual spend by tourists and British overnight visitors visitors in South East Wales is outnumber international visitors FIGURES £2.132 billion. This is about to South East Wales by about 38% of the all-Wales total. 5 to 1, the highest proportion of overseas visitors among the Wales regions. The most important overseas markets for South East Wales are France (12%), USA (10%), Ireland (9%) and Germany (8%).

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South East Wales attracts almost In addition to overnight stays, 2.5 million British overnight South East Wales attracts visitors annually plus almost half 37 million day visits annually, a million from overseas. 40% of worth over £1.5 billion a year. British overnight visitors come for holiday/leisure purposes. 26% of South East Wales’ British staying visitors live in London and the Note: Statistics for tourism South East of England. volume and value are annual averages 2014-16 from the GB Tourism Survey, GB Day Visits Survey and International 2.51 59,400 Passenger Survey. Employment figures are from Welsh Government Priority Sector Statistics. For more detailed information, Average length of stay in 59,400 are directly employed in please follow the link to our South East Wales is short – just tourism in South East Wales. This Regional Factsheets 2.51 nights, compared with the is 9% of all employment in South gov.wales/statistics-and-research/ Wales average of 3.50 nights. East Wales and 45% of all tourism ?topic=Tourism&lang=en employment in Wales.

02 We have been successful in sourcing Tourism Attractor Destination (TAD) additional money from the European Programme Union to enhance the Welsh The Economy Futures Fund – Tourism Government’s capital budget and allow Investment Support Scheme (EFF-TISS) us to work proactively with the private and Micro Small Business Fund (MSBF) public sectors within the region to develop Tourism Amenity Investment Support (TAIS) new high quality tourism products through the following programmes.

C A P I T A L F U N D I N G

South East Wales projects accommodation and outdoor Tourism Attractor Destination supported include: activities hub at Cwmcarn Forest. (TAD) Programme 01—Adventure Welsh Valleys 03—Porthcawl Resort Across Wales, the TAD scheme (Rock UK Adventure Centres Investment Focus (PRIF) – aims to create eleven “must visit” Ltd) Waterside (Bridgend County destinations to drive interest in Extension and refurbishment of Borough Council) Wales as a holiday destination for the adventure climbing centre Development of a multi-purpose new and repeat visitors and will to include a new cafe, outdoor watersports and café facility at play a part in growing the tourism play area; facilities for additional Rest Bay; the refurbishment of sector in Wales by 10% by 2020. outdoor activities and new en- the harbour kiosk to provide The TAD scheme, which was suite accommodation for 100 improved facilities for boat users; approved by the Wales European residential guests. and new cycle route connecting Funding Office (WEFO) in March all of Porthcawl bays. 02—Monmouthshire and 2016, includes £8.2 million Brecon Canal Adventure 04—The Maritime Centre European Regional Development Triangle (Torfaen County Porthcawl (Credu Charity Ltd) Fund (ERDF) funding for the Borough Council) South East that will deliver a total Development of a maritime investment of £17.5 million New visitor centre at Pontymoile; centre which will include a coastal infrastructure and access science and discovery centre, Across Wales, this equates to an improvements to sections of the well-being facilities, learning café/ ERDF total of £27.7 million that canal and surrounding landscapes bistro, prestige restaurant and will deliver a total investment of to facilitate walking, cycling events space. £62 million. and boating activities; glamping

03 the tourism strategy Partnership 04— for Growth) and the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All strategy. It can be used either to upgrade existing, or create, new high quality product where there is a gap in the market. Support of between £25,000 and £500,000 will be considered and occasionally above this in exceptional cases. Since April 2015, across Wales, we have made 47 offers of funding through TISS totalling £7.8 million, inducing investment of £44 million and assisting 698 jobs. South East Wales projects supported include: 05—Hide at St Donats, Llantwit Major To establish high quality carefully crafted accommodation including snug Cabans and a Bugail (Shepherds) Hut on the Wales Coastal Path. 05— 06—International Convention Centre Wales ICC Wales is a 1,500 seat auditorium, with up to 5,000 delegate spaces, 15 flexible meeting rooms, 26,000 square metres of floor space with one area offering 4,000 sqm carpeted pillar free space. It will open in July 2019 and will be Wales’ first International Convention 06— Centre. Located just off the M4 yet surrounded by woodland in equivalent (FTE) employees. It’s an the grounds of the Celtic Manor The Economy Futures Fund – investment fund comprising a mix Resort, this new venue will be Tourism Investment Support of repayable and non-repayable welcoming international and Scheme (EFF-TISS) finance, targeting eligible capital national delegates to Wales. The EFF-TISS is available for investment projects in the tourism medium to large businesses, sector in Wales that support our with 50 or more full time tourism priorities (outlined in

04 Micro Small Business Fund 07— (MSBF)

MSBF is available for micro to small size businesses with fewer than 50 FTE employees and a turnover or balance sheet of less than €10 million. It’s a capital investment fund supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, funded by the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development, and Welsh Government targeting projects that support the objectives of our tourism priorities (outlined in the tourism strategy Partnership for Growth), and the Rural Development Programme. 08—Cobbles Kitchen & Deli, Support of between £25,000 It can be used either to upgrade Ogmore by Sea and £128,000 will be considered. existing or create new high Expansion of an award winning The cap on total eligible project quality product where there is café facility in a grade II listed expenditure is £160,000. a gap in the market. Support of 15th century barn on the Heritage The first round of funding between £25,000 and £500,000 Coastal path at Ogmore, to offer under the TAIS Scheme (2017) will be considered. In exceptional a 52 cover restaurant/bar in the resulted in 23 offers of grant circumstances we may be able to evenings with an excellent sense funding across Wales being made consider a lower level of support. of place, offering seasonal, fresh to local authorities and third Since October 2017, through the and locally sourced menu of food sector organisations totalling MSBF, we have made 18 offers and drink. This space will offer £2.2 million. of funding across Wales totalling additional café facilities during the day. In the second funding round £1.9 million, inducing investment (2018) applications have been of £5.9 million and assisting invited against a fund value of Tourism Amenity Investment 213 jobs. some £1.7 million (the fund Support (TAIS) South East Wales projects is closed to new enquiries) supported include: TAIS is available for public, with decisions expected in late third sector and not for profit Autumn. 07—Llechwen Hall Hotel, organisations. It’s a capital Nr Pontypridd South East Wales projects investment fund supported supported include: To upgrade and expand the through the Welsh Government bedroom capacity at the 17th Rural Communities – Rural 09—Walking and Cycling Trails century country house 20 Development Programme (Caerphilly County Borough bedroom hotel into a 46-bed 2014-2020 funded by the Council) 4 Star hotel with a small gym and European Agricultural Fund for To support additional and spa facilities. Rural Development, and Welsh improved bike and walking trails, Government, targeting projects signage, interpretation, sense that support the development of of place and welcome at small scale tourism infrastructure. Cwmcarn Forest.

05 10—Clydach Gorge car park 09— and signage (Monmouthshire County Council) To support the Gorge’s potential as a cultural tourism resource, creating a Gateway for visitors and local residents to access the eastern end of the Gorge. 11— Dunraven Bay (Vale of Glamorgan Council) Refurbishment of car park and toilets, and an upgrade of the visitor infrastructure to help improve visitor appeal.

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06 Our revenue programmes support both Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) public and private sectors to promote Tourism Product Innovation Fund (TPIF) and develop distinctive, high quality visitor destinations through encouraging more collaborative working aligned to our product-led thematic years and The Wales Way.

R E V E N U E F U N D I N G

The purpose of the fund is: —to enable destinations to Regional Tourism Engagement maximise the benefits from Fund (RTEF) —to contribute to the delivery of aligning with our product-led a 10% growth target set out thematic years and the Wales RTEF is a revenue fund, in the Partnership for Growth: Way supported through the Welsh strategy for tourism 2013-2020 Government Rural Communities —to promote and develop Since 2015, through RTEF, we Rural Development Programme distinctive, high quality visitor have supported 65 projects across 2014-2020. It is funded by the destinations through the Wales totalling £3.5 million. European Agricultural Fund for delivery of their destination In South East Wales this Rural Development (EAFRD) and management plans Welsh Government. equates to 25 projects totalling £1.2 million.

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South East Wales projects supported include: 10—Dinosaurs on the loose (National Museum Wales) 09—Capital Region Travel Trade and Attractions An award winning innovative event that put a new (Bridgend County Borough Council) twist on the National Museum’s Year of Legend To increase the profile of the Capital Region via programme, with Dracoraptor the iconic Welsh targeted travel trade and consumer marketing dinosaur as its centrepiece. The project enticed activities through integrated destination marketing. visitors to the exhibition at the National Museum Developing closer working relationships with existing Cardiff and promoted Cardiff and South Wales as a tour operators (groups/coaches) to develop packages cultural destination. Installations appeared across the and increase visitors and spend in the region. There city culminating with the “dinosaur on the loose” is also a day visitors’ attractions campaign which climbing out of the National Museum Cardiff. works with both travel trade and consumer markets.

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11— Merthyr Rising Festival 12—Wye Valley River (Merthyr Tydfil County Festival (Wye Valley Area of Borough Council) Outstanding Natural Beauty) Expanding on the existing The main aim of the project is Merthyr Rising Festival to promote to create a legacy of creative wider destination awareness marketing material for future and develop Merthyr Tydfil’s River Festival events to promote reputation as a vibrant, up and the surrounding landscape and coming destination. The aim was beauty. Over 32,000 visitors to create a Fringe Festival element attended. The project includes and to expand the number of a six year business plan for the venues used throughout the town longer term development of to accommodate this. the festival.

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09 Tourism Product Innovation 13— Fund (TPIF)

TPIF is a revenue fund, supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and Welsh Government. The purpose of the fund is to work with tourism sector partners across Wales: —to deliver the 10% growth target set out in the Partnership for Growth: strategy for tourism 2013-2020 —to encourage closer joint working between tourism consortia, partnerships and trade groups —to develop and improve the product offer to visitors to benefit the tourism sector and local communities —to help grow the tourism economy in a sustainable way. Since 2015, through TPIF, we have supported 69 projects across Wales totalling £2.6 million. In South East Wales this equates to 13 projects totalling £620,296.

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South East Wales projects 14—Courtyard Beer and Cider 15—Weird and Wonderful supported include: Festival (Plantpot Ltd) Wales (Literature Wales) A Welsh food and drinks This project celebrated Visit 13—Man Engine (Man Engine promotion to 30,000 visitors Wales’ Year of Legends and Wales Tour) in central London. The event Year of the Sea. It documents A giant mechanical puppet of a celebrated Wales’ producers and an already commissioned tour miner who raised to 10.5 metres products whilst encouraging the of sites associated with myths tall when sung to. Man Engine London-based and international and legends across Wales. The visited five industrial heritage audience to visit Wales in the audio-visual content fed into the sites in South Wales in April 2018 future. The aim was to capitalise Land of Legends digital platform. and was developed to celebrate on the Green Man’s reputation An iconic Mabinogion inspired the legendary character that and use a targeted marketing painting designed by world- made Wales the First Industrial campaign to draw visitors from renowned artist Pete Fowler can Nation. He also gave a global the UK and Europe. be seen on the highly visible 50 ft voice to Wales’ legendary singing Grade II listed 1930s Water Tower tradition. Over 40,000 people at Cardiff Central Railway. either bought tickets or attended free events and processions.

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16—Discover Welsh Voices showcase the incredible musical (Wales Millennium Centre) and vocal talent thriving in A collaboration between the contemporary Welsh culture. From Wales Millennium Centre and choirs to rock we hope to tell the Lexicon Learning to create an story of voice that builds on the exceptional cultural experience national traditions which have utilising Virtual Reality to shaped our cultural landscape.