Written question WQ98426

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy recognises the positive impact that engaging with nature, culture and heritage has on wellbeing, and highlights the importance of taking a cross‑government approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Welcome to Wales: priorities for the visitor economy 2020 to 2025 acknowledges the health benefits of outdoor leisure and that the tourism sector can contribute to the Welsh Government’s long-term vision for health and social care by making outdoor recreation more accessible.

Visit Wales promotes our landscapes, culture and adventure offer not just to visitors but to everyone in Wales. Visitwales.com provides information and inspiration for planning trips outdoors. We recognise the wellbeing benefits when promoting all types of attractions, working closely with partners to highlight the special experiences of places such as National Parks, the Wales Coast Path and National Trust properties.

This year Visit Wales launched Chill Cymru which is a campaign focusing on the wellbeing aspects of outdoor destinations and landscapes. In addition, Visit Wales showcases accessible attractions and outdoor destinations on its website and social media, and includes articles such as Autism-friendly holiday attractions in Wales | Visit Wales.

Cadw, which manages visitor attractions across Wales, has gathered evidence showing that outdoor heritage attractions support mental health and wellbeing by enabling physical activity, reducing stress, strengthening social connections, and providing access to nature and culture. Through widening access to historic sites, supporting volunteering, and contributing to cross government initiatives such as Hapus, Cadw helps demonstrate how Wales’s historic environment functions as a preventative public health asset benefiting individuals and communities across Wales.