Discover brand new routes to explore this summer
Brand-new tourism routes covering North East Wales has been launched during Wales Tourism Week, which kicks off 11th May 2019. The routes come as digital maps, which are available to download for FREE via http://www.northeastwales.wales/the-north-wales-way/
The maps explore a variety of locations across North East Wales – from Rhyl to Hawarden. Users of the map will stop at key tourist hot-spots such as Talacre Beach, Chirk Castle and Ruthin Gaol. The newly-designed routes aren’t limited to their county either, meaning users can combine their trip with locations in nearby Conwy.
The new routes across North East Wales are part of a brand-new collection of seven new maps, highlighting some of the unmissable, key tourism hot-spots in North Wales. Teaming together for the first time, the maps have been designed and produced by the four Destination Management Partnerships across North Wales (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and North East Wales (NEW)- compromising of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham). The maps interlink with the 75-mile North Wales Way – one of three national tourism routes launched by Visit Wales under The Wales Way brand.
With a wide-range of hidden gems across North Wales, each map is themed with its own unique route, spanning from Anglesey to North East Wales. On the agenda, users can explore Conwy’s coastal trail, the North Anglesey maritime circular, Gwynedd’s slate valleys and North East Wales’ famous landmarks. Both the science and heritage route and the family activity trail take you through North East Wales’ must-see’s, whilst the outdoor adventure heritage loop shows off the best of what North Wales has to offer – which is renowned for its breath-taking scenery and adrenaline-fuelled adventure activities.
Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Management Partnership says,
“I’m delighted that North East Wales is an important part of this Wales-wide project. The new routes will give visitors the opportunity to explore our coast, heritage, rural towns, landscapes and the wide variety of visitor attractions on offer across the region. We hope this campaign will encourage businesses to develop stronger partnerships and provide a welcome boost for the local economy and help to provide employment opportunities throughout the year.”
The new maps have been a community-effort, as businesses were invited to workshops across North Wales to discuss their ideas for new tourist routes to help promote the region and provide loops and detours off The North Wales Way.
The maps are part of a wider tourism campaign launched by the North Wales Local Authorities, who -together with funding from Visit Wales and the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) – put efforts in to boosting tourism figures during the winter months, which have previously been lower than desired.
The campaign proved successful with local businesses, with plenty of positive reaction and willingness to use the #DiscoverNorthWales hashtag across their social media channels. The popular hashtag is still live across social media and is regularly used to promote the area.
Amy Sumner, Marketing Manager at Gladstone Library says,
“Gladstone’s Library is thrilled to be a part of the North East Circular route, which includes a wealth of significant and beautiful sites. We are particularly pleased to be working more closely with the local councils and other businesses and organisations on the route, and are looking forward to welcoming and introducing new visitors to the Library.”
The theme of this years’ Wales Tourism Week is “Strength through Partnership”, which reflects the efforts made by both North Wales councils to engage with the tourism industry in the region throughout the whole campaign – with the aim of working together to realise the economic benefits of promoting the region as a whole, and capitalising on opportunities offered by The Wales Way.
The week of events will kick-start at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on May 14th, with more than 20 other events taking place during the week throughout Wales.
Maps are available to download from http://www.northeastwales.wales/the-north-wales-way/ and are free to access from today.
This project has received funding via the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) and supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government, the Fund to improve the visitor experience and create stronger destinations by working together.