Written question WQ96115

We promote the hospitality and tourism sector all year round. Visit Wales is attracting visitors to north Wales through its Year of Croeso and ‘Hwyl’ marketing campaigns, which feature north Wales locations. Businesses and destinations in the region are core pillars of work with the domestic and international travel trade. Visit Wales social media is used throughout the year to highlight unique “only in Wales” businesses including those in the north, with that often delivered by working with the businesses themselves.

Articles promoting local and Welsh food and drink, including that from north Wales, can be viewed on the Visit Wales website Welsh food and drink | Recipes and places to eat | Visit Wales. The website also features high end restaurants and food and drink outlets which form part of the tourism offer.

Support is available to north Wales food and drink businesses from the Welsh Government’s Food Division. Staff from the Division recently attended both Castell Howell and Harlech Trade Shows, in Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, which were attended by a wide range of north Wales hospitality businesses. A large product showcase was arranged and ‘Value of Welshness’ was promoted to demonstrate the benefits of offering Welsh products to consumers. In addition, Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Trade Programme undertook a trade facing event in north east Wales this week.