The importance of good destination development was the key message highlighted at the first Denbighshire Tourism Forum staged in the county recently.
Delegates heard how the sector brought in £286 million into the county’s economy in 2010.
Key speakers at the conference included: Professor Terry Stevens, an internationally renowned expert in the field of destination management; and Dewi Davies from Tourism Partnership North Wales who gave a strategic view from a North Wales perspective.
Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans, who opened the conference, said: “We have a wealth of tourism attractions and facilities in the county, including a Blue Flag beach, one end of Offa’s Dyke National Trail, the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO world Heritage Site at the Llangollen Canal to name but a few.
Professor Stevens said “Denbighshire has all the raw materials to become one of the UK’s leading destinations and growing the value of tourism from its current £300m in 2010 to over £350m in five years. This can be achieved by learning from successful destinations elsewhere, establishing an ambitious new private: public sector partnership and using all the resources that are available to deliver an innovative and creative strategy for growth”.
Dewi Davies said: “With competition for visitors continuing to intensify, it is heartening to see the tourism trade and Denbighshire County Council coming together to improve and get a brilliant visitor experience across the county”
This year has seen some important investments in the sector including the acquisition of Pontins by new owners and the re-launch of the Apollo Cinema in Rhyl following the installation of a Sony 4D projection system. Recent years has also seen significant investments in the some of the county’s historic towns and outdoor activity sector.
The next few years will see more exciting developments in the county including the opening of a new visitor centre at Denbigh Castle, the launch of the Wales Coast Path, decision on the extension of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, completion of the missing link in National Cycle Route 5 through the construction of a new bridge across Foryd Harbour and in 2013 the county will play host to the National Eisteddfod.
A steering group of tourism operators and public sector officers will now be established to oversee the development of a Destination Plan for Denbighshire and a further forum will be organised prior to the Plan being finalised. Any tourism businesses who would like to know more about the Destination Management Plan and its steering group should e.mail [email protected]
