Written question WQ82680

A key priority for the Valleys Taskforce from the outset was to explore the concept of a Valleys Regional Park (VRP), to help local communities build on their many natural assets, including the potential for tourism.

£8m was committed for 12 discovery gateway sites and two co-working spaces. Discovery Gateways are exemplar flagship sites that showcase the Valleys. They encourage a greater interest in and knowledge of the Valleys natural and cultural heritage and pan-Valleys attractions amongst visitors and local people. They also enhance sustainable tourism providing an economic boost. This results in a positive narrative of the Valleys to help change negative internal and external perceptions.

Our strategic plan outlines our aim to work closely with our regional partners on focused local destination development and place-making to make key destinations more attractive to tourists that will also benefit local communities.

Investment in the Zip World Tower on the site of the former colliery is an exceptional Valleys development, and is an exemplar in terms of regeneration within an industrial setting. Strategic and destination building projects such as this also act as a catalyst to further upgrading and developments associated with other attractions and accommodation projects in the region, as well as adding to a growing Valleys offer including the likes of Bike Parc Wales, The Royal Mint, and Penderyn.

Visit Wales is working through the summer to ensure that visitors discover new places (away from the popular tourism honey-pots). We will continue to promote key attractions and destinations in the Valleys through our website and social media activity. Interestingly, as part of the current Addo campaign, 60 per cent of the locations featured within the Visit Wales content has been the Valleys. This content has been used extensively on digital, video on demand and TV.