Local Authorities with projects ready for investment attended the conference as an opportunity to showcase their projects to a range of potential investors.
Conference delegates also heard the experiences of high profile investors in Wales including Celtic Manor & International Conference Centre; Aston Martin
and Surf Snowdonia, with Scott Quinnell as the key note speaker for the day.
The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas attended the conference and said:
“Wales is undergoing a transformation in terms of the quality of its tourism offer, and whilst the Welsh Government is able to provide support where there is market failure it is also imperative that we attract investor confidence in Wales’ tourism sector, in order to ensure that we deliver on long term growth of the sector – so that Wales is able to compete in a global market place.
Collaboration is key to economic growth and I hope that today has provided some exciting opportunities for future partnerships.”
Andrew Renouf Director of GVA, addressed delegates and gave an overview of the market in Wales. He said:
“It is great to see a buoyant and growing tourism sector in Wales, but there is work still to do to raise the profile of the offer, attract more overseas visitors and mitigate seasonality and geographical disparity.
Today was an important step in showcasing some major development opportunities to investors, and GVA were delighted to have a role to play. The future for Welsh tourism looks bright and the interest shown today from developers and investors is very encouraging.”
Taking the opportunity to showcase the developments ready for investment in Cardiff was Cardiff Council. Jonathan Day, Cardiff Council Economic Policy Manager, said:
“Wales is a unique destination and has distinct offer for visitors, from its spectacular countryside, a thriving cultural scene, ancient heritage and progressive cities. Cardiff, as a gateway to much of Wales, and the fastest growing major UK city is the Capital at the centre of that story.
With a focus on regenerating the city centre as international hub for commerce and industry and the bay as a leading UK urban recreation and cultural destination.
We are confident the market for business and leisure visitors will continue to expand in coming years, building on the £1.3bn already spent annually by tourists in the city by the 22 million visitors.”
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