ASSETS to tourism in Llandudno

[SteveH]

A staycation boom is forecast this year and bookings are already matching expectations across much of the North Wales tourism sector.

It cannot come too soon: at stake is not just the survival of the region’s beleaguered attractions, activities and hotels, but also their prospects for future growth and the sector’s aspiration to offer year-round tourism.

This summer is seen as a rare chance to showcase the area’s coasts, castles and mountains to a new generation of domestic visitors.

Get it right this year and North Wales could reap the harvest for the next decade or so.

Yet all could be lost if, like last summer, the post-lockdown holiday rush puts a strain on the region’s infrastructure, said Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism.

“We’ve seen the new parking arrangements put in place by Snowdonia National Park and so far these seem to be working well,” he said.

“In 2020 we weren’t ready. We’re likely to see a big influx again this summer and it’s important that we are prepared.”

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-tourism-gears-up-20351090

[SteveH]

Restoration of the castle used in last year's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! has moved ahead of schedule after featuring on the show.

Gwrych Castle, near Abergele, Conwy county, replaced the series' home in the Australian jungle last November and December because of the Covid pandemic.

It has reopened to the public for the first time since the show aired, with extra renovation work done.

The castle trust's chief said the work was now two years ahead of schedule.

Since the castle has reopened, visitors have been able to see parts of the building which formed the set of the show.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56739497

[SteveH]

LLANDUDNO promenade has been rated as number 10 in a list that ranks the best coastal walks in the UK.

SaveOnEnergy released the data after deciding to find out which coastal walks are rated the highest on TripAdvisor [based on online reviews].

They compiled a list of all coastal walks on TripAdvisor and created a weighted ranking based on the number of reviews each walk received from one to five stars.

A spokesperson for the comparison website said: "Wales boasts two spots in the UK rankings - placing first and 10th.

"Llandudno Promenade is second best in Wales, ranking as the 10th best coastal walk in the UK, with a rating of 4.61/5.

"Spanning almost two miles, the Llandudno Promenade is a popular coastal destination for hikers and tourists." Despite its reputation as a seaside resort, this coastal retreat offers the same tranquillity as many other coastal spots, with a stunning Victorian aesthetic.

[SteveH]

North Wales town forecast to be UK's second most 'over-crowded' place this summer
Analysis of Google searches has highlighted the tourism destinations that have been receiving the most interest from staycationers

Analysis of Google searches by people looking for UK staycations suggests Llandudno can look forward to being the UK’s second most “overcrowded” holiday destination this summer.

Not far behind is Chester, where it’s forecast there will be little room at the inn for people wanting last-minute getaways.

However, many guesthouses say they are still waiting for the expected staycation boom to materialise.

Tourism chiefs in North Wales said there was a danger the region will miss out on the bonanza if the Welsh Government retains its ultra-cautious approach to reopening.

With foreign trips looking less and less likely this summer, many Brits are reported to be turning instead to UK destinations for their annual holidays.

Pikl, a specialist insurer for Airbnb and holiday lets, likened the demand to “Christmas Eve levels of desperation” for presents.

full article  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-town-forecast-uks-20411787

[SteveH]

it looks like an impressive extension to the original building. 

A hidden reservoir deep inside the Great Orme will supply the water for Penderyn's unique Llandudno whisky.

The Welsh brand were granted planning permission last year to restore and convert the Old Board School on Lloyd Street into a Distillery and Visitor Centre.

It will see the shop open on May 17 and that date will see them start distilling on the Penderyn Llandudno Lloyd Street site for the first time - with tours to start in June.

Penderyn, based in the Brecon Beacons, have revealed it will be a unique new whisky for North Wales. They will use water from an underground Victorian reservoir inside the Great Orme that was once used to supply the town during busy summer periods.
It will also be the first time Penderyn uses peated barley for its whisky - traditionally used to make scotch.

But there will be a wait until the first dram is served with the whisky to be barrel aged for between five and eight years.
"We will create a distinct whisky in Llandudno and this will be the first time we have used peated barley. The water will come from an old Victorian reservoir under Happy Valley on the Great Orme.

"There is a fresh spring that provides wonderful water and there is a giant store tank inside the Orme.
"Both the water and peated barley will make this a unique whisky in Llandudno.
"We won't rush the whisky as it has to be right."

There is plenty to do while waiting, with tours at the distillery giving an insight into the production process and the chance to try some of Penderyn's existing whiskies in a tasting room.

The site also has an exhibition on the history of the town and the building which was a school and later an archive.
They will employ 15 staff, with distiller Bethan Morgans the lead on site.                       Ref DP

[Blongb]

It's interesting that they are going to use the water from the old Victorian reservoir under the putting green in Happy Valley. I vividly remember when it was drained, watching all the water being allowed to flow down Hill Terrace. It's quite a remarkable brick built structure and I look forward to trying their product in a few years time. 

[Nemesis]

The reservoir has fascinated me for years. On the Great Orme Exploration Society's site there are pictures of it ( under photos ).

[Cambrian]

Seems a curious piece.  The Fach reservoir originally stored water from the St Tudno's Reservoir below the church.  The old connecting pipes were broken and a section partly removed in the 1993 flood.  Since the Dulyn supply reached town in 1879, the Fach was supplied from that source.  I wonder which spring they think supplies it !?

[SteveH]

Perhaps a bit of "Poetic Licence", unfortunately another drinks company own that name !

[SteveH]

Good Morning Britain shares I'm A Celebrity update as it's revealed series is likely to return to Wales

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! could be returning to Wales once again following the latest from Australia.

It means the show could return to Gwrych Castle in Wales once again following a successful stint in Abergele in 2020.

 "Great news for the good folks of Wales though because it looks like this morning that I'm A Celebrity will be a case of Get Me Out of Gwrych once again after another blow was dealt to the popular ITV show after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison ruled out reopening the country's border until 2022."

cont  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/good-morning-britain-shares-im-20585638?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

How Snowdonia became the most Googled national park in Europe - and what it means for this summer
New 'popularity' analysis shows huge interest in Snowdonia as a potential visitor destination

Snowdonia has emerged as the most googled national park in Europe – and the second most popular.

An analysis of all 252 of the continent's national parks showed the region attracted by far and away the highest search volumes

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-snowdonia-became-most-googled-20591549

[SteveH]

Where Travelodge Holiday Index places North Wales on its top ten list
The hotel giant has asked more than 2,000 people where they are heading on holiday this summer

When asked where they were going in the UK, North Wales came out second in the rural section ahead of places like the Scottish Highlands, Peak District, South Wales, and the Cotswolds.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/travelodge-holiday-index-places-north-20612309

[SteveH]

Penderyn's Llandudno whisky distillery opens

Public tours start from June with the aim of attracting 80,000 a year to the site, which is on Lloyd Street, close to the centre of Llandudno.

It is hoped this will be a 'win-win' for the town and Penderyn - with centre tours another attraction for the tourist hotspot while helping further raise the profile of the distiller.

Visitors to the site will be able to follow the whisky making process as well as learn about the history of Penderyn, the building and Llandudno.

Penderyn Distillery at Llandudno (Image: Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)
The tour finishes in the tasting room where people can sample a whisky or two.     

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/penderyns-llandudno-whisky-distillery-opens-20618246?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Zip World take over Llechwedd quarry attraction with plans for adventure village
The adventure firm has done a deal with the quarry owner that will see more investment in the Blaenau Ffestiniog site
cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/zip-world-taking-over-llechwedd-20650805


North Wales holiday park under new ownership - with plans to invest in the site
Bron Y Wendon Caravan Park is under new ownership after a £3.625 million investment backed by Barclays
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-holiday-park-under-20653801

[SteveH]

EIGHT of Conwy County’s beaches have been named amongst the country’s best beaches by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy

Four beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, a world renowned eco-label for water quality, environmental awareness, protection, safety and services.

The Blue Flag beaches are: Llandudno West Shore, Llanfairfechan, Porth Eirias and Rhos/Colwyn Bay.

A further four beaches - Abergele/Pensarn, Kinmel Bay, Llandudno North Shore and Penmaenmawr - won the Seaside Award, the national standard for the best beaches across the UK that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, attractive and well managed coastal stretch.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19329086.award-flags-beaches-across-conwy/