An independent organisation that represents 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid and South Wales attracted 48 new members over the past year, the annual meeting was told.
“Members have reported strong growth this year with visitor confidence returning and we have been delighted to welcome so many new member businesses,” MWT’s chief executive Val Hawkins reported at the meeting held at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth on December 4.
“Our primary focus in the past year was to position MWT to enable the company to meet future challenges and opportunities, supporting our members and, in partnership with other tourism organisations, help develop the tourism economy of Mid Wales and beyond.”
MWT’s chairman Anne Lloyd-Jones said the organisation approached its 25th year in business with optimism and she thanked members for their continued support.
“As a business-led organisation we are committed to delivering activities which support the growth and development of a strong and sustainable tourism industry,” she added. “It is pleasing to note that our membership figures remain strong with a growing number of businesses across South Wales also benefiting from our services.”
Mrs Hawkins said MWT’s primary aim was to give members a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Exclusive supplier discounts and services, access to impartial support and advice and a continual programme of investment in the latest digital marketing technology are designed to help MWT members to save time and money.
She reported a “significant increase” in the number of members using MWT’s one-to-one support services, including marketing reviews, website design and helpdesk services. Investment in the latest online marketing technology was designed to give members a competitive edge.
Projects undertaken included the launch of FairBooking™ Wales, which aims to encourage customers to book accommodation direct with a business instead of through high commission online channels. Direct booking enables tourism businesses to keep a larger share of the fee paid by guests.
Wales has become only the fourth destination in the UK to join the FairBooking™ initiative, with in excess of 30 Welsh businesses already involved.
Other projects include a focus on travel tourism initiatives aimed at achieving a step change in how visitors travel to and around Mid Wales by encouraging them to use low impact options.
MWT is a member of the Wales Tourism Alliance, which lobbies politicians at a national level on behalf of the tourism industry. The WTA will be supporting members to lobby their local Assembly Members and prospective candidates in the run up to next year’s National Assembly for Wales election to ensure the best deal for tourism businesses.
Vice chairman Rowland Rees-Evans, of Penrhos Park Golf and Country Club, Llanrhystud was reappointed as a trade director for Ceredigion and Paul Boland, general manager of the National Trust property Llanerchaeron, near Aberaeron, was co-opted.
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