ASSETS to tourism in Llandudno

[SteveH]

NORTH WALES BEACHES: Three North Wales resorts have made the top 20 in a review site’s list of favourite Blue Flag beaches in the UK.
Llandudno’s West Shore, Abersoch’s Main beach and Criccieth’s strip of golden sand have all been named in TripAdvisor’s top 20.

Llandudno's summer bookings have risen by 66% in five years
 
Summer bookings to the ‘Queen of Welsh Resorts’ have increased by an astonishing 66% in just five years according to a leading online travel site.
Victorian seaside favourite Llandudno saw the amazing rise in hotel bookings for July and August compared to the same period in 2010 say LateRooms.com.
The travel site praises the town for its “stunning shores and views as far as Snowdonia make this seaside town one of the prettiest in the UK”.

Sunitta Katoch who owns and runs the Space boutique hotel with her husband, and also owns Jaya restaurant , believes Llandudno looks on the up.
She said: “I think Llandudno is now offering more, on the High Street we have things like Cafe Nero and Costa, but we also offer something like Characters cafe, it’s a good eclectic mix.
“We are full for much of the summer, and it’s a good mix of people from all over the UK.”

Esther Roberts, managing director of North Wales Tourism said: “It’s very encouraging that the British public are deciding to holiday in once again in British seaside resorts like Llandudno.
“I think events such as Access All Eirias , Wales Rally GB and the Llandudno Jazz Festival which is taking place this weekend drives business into the area.”

Llandudno hotels among best in the world according to new awards
There has been millions of pounds of inward investment coming into the town this year. The Llandudno Bay Tree hotel has just reopened following a £6m refurbishment.
Mbi Consulting Limited who owns the hotel is now busily refurbishing the former Belmont Hotel. This summer has also seen the opening of Travelodge at the former Clarence Hotel.

Also the family who own 11-bedroomed Lawton Court Hotel, recently came second in the list of the world’s top 10 smallest hotels in travel website TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travellers’ Choice awards.
It’s sister hotel run by Ian and Carol-Lynn Robbins treat their guests so well that their Lauriston Court Hotel beat 650,000 others worldwide to win the world-class service award from the TripAdvisor travel website. The hotel also came sixth in the best bargain hotel in the world rankings.
Carol-Lynn said: “I’m not surprised at all by LateRooms.com findings, the whole of Llandudno is buzzing at the moment.
“It’s very much on the up, you feel it when you walk about the town.
“I’ve noticed we are getting a lot more Londoners and people from the South of England.

“When people come here for the first time they can’t believe how lovely it is, and always book again for another holiday.”
REFDPost

[Ian]

Great to hear the continuing good news about Llandudno.

[SteveH]

World Grand Prix Snooker: Llandudno to host tournament in 2016           
The return of snooker’s World Grand Prix to Llandudno has been hailed as a “real boost for tourism”.
The tournament, which involves some of the best snooker players on the planet, was new to the calendar last season and received a fantastic reception in North Wales.
It proved a great success as fans flocked to Venue Cymru to see an array of green baize stars including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, John Higgins and Mark Selby.

The 2016 World Grand Prix runs from March 8 to 13 at the same venue.

Businesses say they are looking forward to the trade and tourism boost the tournament will bring to the area.
Geoff Lofthouse, general manager of the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno, said: “We had Judd Trump, the winner staying with us last year.

“It’s a good result all-round that it will return as it gets a lot of people interested and the hotel was very busy.
“This is good for tourism and our customers.”

Nathan Cousins, sales and marketing manager at St George’s Hotel, said: “We had a number of players and members of the media staying in the hotel last year.
“It’s good for our trade and for tourism in the town.
“I welcome it - it’s a real boost for tourism.”

Esther Roberts, managing director of North Wales Tourism, said events such as this provide a “substantial contribution” to the economy by attracting new business and giving people another reason to visit the area.

VIEW GALLERY    World Snooker Grand Prix Final at Venue Cymru. Winner Judd Trump
She said: “The fact that this tournament is returning to Llandudno reflects Conwy Council’s commitment and funding for staging events.”

The tournament will be a ranking event for the first time, with money earned to count towards the world ranking list.
The field for the ITV4-televised event will comprise 32 players chasing the trophy and a top prize of £100,000.
A unique ranking list will run from the 2015 Australian Goldfields Open until the 2016 Gdynia Open, with the top 32 players on that list eligible to enter the World Grand Prix.

Young potting sensation Judd Trump, who won the title last season, coming from 7-4 down in a superb final to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-7, added: “The World Grand Prix is a fantastic addition to the calendar.
“I’m pleased to see it become a ranking event because that means there is more at stake and it will help the tournament grow.”

Tickets are on sale now and are already selling fast.

All supporters are urged to book fast and make sure of their seats, as many sessions will sell out rapidly.

For a limited time only, there is also a half price offer from just £5 for standard tickets for the first three days of the tournament.

For more information on booking a ticket, call 01492 872000 or visit their website.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/grand-prix-snooker-llandudno-tournament-9737053

[DaveR]

Just slightly further afield, Surf Snowdonia will be opening on the 1st August, should be a great addition to North Wales' active visitor attractions:
http://www.surfsnowdonia.co.uk/

[SteveH]

Llawno3   Arts Festival ...18th.....20th. SEP.

Hello. My name is Marc Rees and I am a the curator of a small but beautifully crafted, entirely free, arts festival called LLAWN, located in the Queen of Welsh resorts , Llandudno , North Wales . 2015 will be its third manifestation and it’s growing from strength to strength. Our aim is to animate the whole of the town and to get everyone to embrace the arts: the local residents, the shop keepers and shoppers and the seaside day trippers .

For the last two festivals we have utilised a central area in town called North Western Gardens, more fondly known locally as Bog island (either because  it used to be a natural bog or, possibly, because it now houses the main town toilets). The site lies opposite the derelict Tudno Castle Hotel, a venue that we also take over and open up for the festival .

There was a beautiful old oak tree in the centre of the gardens which became a focus for many of the festival's events but unfortunately it was severely damaged in a storm and had to be cut down and as you can see in the video, kindly the only thing left is a sorry looking stump, a pitiful reminder of a lost, majestic totem.

The underpinning theme of LLAWN is the presence of absence with the addition this year of the tag line Revist / Reveal. Therefore my intention is to Revisit the site , Resurrect the tree  and Reveal its temporary replacement during LLAWN03.

I want its construction to be a participatory action / contribution therefore we would hold a scrap wood amnesty and encourage people from Llandudno and further afield to search their sheds for discarded  neglected or forgotten about bits of wood. These could be the handle of a lost hammer, a table leg, a piece of drift wood, a broken broom or left over pieces from domestic DIY job. Basically a resurrection tree made from recycled materials; its size will depend on the donated stockpile. To ensure that the tree is indeed a beautiful thing (and of course safe) I'm going to commission the sculptor Alan Goulbourne to build it in collaboration with the community. Alan's sculptural works utilise sawn wood with which he constructs bold and often physically overwhelming structures. Both representational and abstract, his works are influenced by science and nature and the relationship between them. He often employs a process of order and chaos, starting from a single gesture or mark, rising to a ‘crescendo’ of marks and movements that collectively embody simplicity and complexity, as might a pattern in nature.  Therefore a reimagined and reconfigured tree is the perfect subject for Alan.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/llawn03/totem


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=alan+goulbourne&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&imgil=ugwG2FFTu5BXFM%253A%253BsyiB6FRkY3gE3M

Interesting as we have been discussing this subject recently .......
A link to Llandudno silhouette artist...Alana Tyson : ‘SHADES BY THE SEASIDE’
‘Shades by the Seaside’ is an intervention by Llandudno-based artist Alana Tyson. Traditionally known as “shades,” silhouette portraits first gained popularity in the 18th century and saw a revival in the early 20th century. Inexpensive and quick to produce, silhouettes were an alternative to painted miniature portraits. The traditional method of creating silhouette portraits is for the artist to cut then by eye from black card, usually completed within a few minutes; carried out by specialist practitioners at booths at fairs or markets. These portraits were often passed on to loved-ones, to be used for remembrance when the loved-one was absent.
During a one-on-one encounter , two “shades” will be created; Alana Tyson will cut one silhouette in the traditional manner with scissors whilst she leads the sitter through the mental creation of a second portrait of a departed loved-one.
http://www.llawn.org/llawn-events/shades-by-the-seaside/

[SteveH]

UK Great Taste Awards 2015: 10 Welsh products get top marks
Ten products from across Wales have been awarded top marks by the UK Great Taste Awards.       
Overall, 174 awards went to products from Wales, with 122 entries achieving one star, 42 getting two stars and 10 receiving the three-star accolade.
Of the 10,000 international entries, only 130 have been awarded three stars.
Judged in Wales for the first time, products including haggis made in Knighton, Powys received the rating.
The products now have a chance of being crowned Great Taste Supreme Champion 2015. The winner will be announced in London on 7 September.
Wales's 3-star winners

L'Antico Nero 36-month cured ham by Districts of Italy, Llandudno, Conwy county

Mascarpone & Caramelized Fig Ice Cream by Forte's Ice Cream, Llandudno, Conwy county
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-33804233

[SteveH]

North Wales' 10 tourism champions revealed

The search is on for the people shaping the future of North Wales in the Daily Post Leaders Awards, developed with our friends at Bangor University.
This week we focus on the 10 tourism leaders nominated across the region who are helping our economy grow.
A panel of judges will now look at all the categories in the Leaders Awards and the winners will be revealed at a special event next month.

Sean Taylor, Zip World,
Chris Morton, Bodnant Food Centre
Neil Rowlands, Treysgawen Hall Hotel and Anglesey Tourism Association
Steve Davies MBE, Managing Director of Surf Snowdonia
Peter Lavin, North Wales Tourism chairman and owner of the Castle Hotel, Conwy
Jonathan Williams Ellis, Chairman of Attractions of Snowdonia and tourism business owner
Ken Skates, tourism minister
Adam Williams, owner of Llandudno pier and Tir Prince in Towyn
Jim Jones, Head of Tourism at Conwy council

MORE.....http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/north-wales-10-tourism-champions-9806930

[snowcap]

how come Mike Owen is not there ?

[SteveH]

North Wales adventure attractions to offer 'Disney' style package holiday for tourists

Plans to combine North Wales’s adrenaline fuelled activities into one “Disney” style package holiday could give the region a massive tourism boost, an entrepreneur has said.

A pass offering access to a weeks worth of activities and a special transport system to take people between attractions could be up and running by the end of this year.
A North Wales Adventure Map already allows thrill seekers to tick off their experiences across the region, but the new package would give people a discount for staying in the area for seven days.
The pass is likely to include the recently opened Surf Snowdonia in Dolgarrog, One Planet Adventure bike trails in Llandegla and Zip World near Bethesda.

Sean Taylor, of Zip World, said this would create a “Disney” package to attract people to North Wales
Mr Taylor, the entrepreneur behind Europe’s longest and fastest zip wire at Penrhyn Quarry, said: “We are looking at later on this year creating more like a Disney package where people can come and book a whole week’s worth of activities and get a discount.

“We are actually looking at a transport system which can take these people around.
“I know we get very, very busy in August with cars and we are trying to reduce that and using public transport as well.”
Mr Taylor, a former Royal Marines skydiver, made the comments as he expressed his disappointment that Snowdonia was so far behind the Lake District on a survey of the top global tourist spots.

Snowdonia came 181 in travel firm Lonely Planet’s list of 500 of the world’s best places to visit, while the Lake District came 36th.
We are already seeing a lot of customers this Summer who are coming from Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool to Snowdonia who were going to the Lake District and Peak District beforehand.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-adventure-attractions-offer-9878102

ALSO
World's best surfers to compete at Red Bull Unleashed event at Surf Snowdonia
Andy Ainscough, operations director at Surf Snowdonia said: "We're so pumped about the prospect of hosting this world-first stadium surfing event in partnership with Red Bull.
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/151597/world-s-best-surfers-to-compete-at-red-bull-unleashed-event-at-surf-snowdonia.aspx

[Ian]

Plans to combine North Wales’s adrenaline fuelled activities into one “Disney” style package holiday could give the region a massive tourism boost, an entrepreneur has said.

Some of us have been suggesting this for years. One big problem is getting the various private companies to work together. And the transport system needs to be special.

[SteveH]

Llandudno's Christmas Fayre to double in size
Farmers will be showcasing their produce at an expanded Christmas Fayre in Llandudno where people will be able to buy locally-produced fare as well as baubles.

By expanding into Trinity Square, the four-day fayre on November 19-22 will almost be doubling in size.
Many marquees and stalls be selling local Welsh produce with others coming from all over the UK.

The organisers are challenging visitors to source all of their Christmas dinner locally - including wine.

Backing the fayre is Gareth Wyn Jones , of Llanfairfechan, well-known for his Ffarm I Fforch campaign and The Hill Farm and The Farmer and the Food Chain TV programmes.
Gareth has filmed a video to publicise his appeal to farmers to market their meat, fish, vegetables, cheese, beer and wine and other produce at the fayre.

“ Llandudno is the perfect place to showcase our best food and drink especially at this festive time of year.
Among the stalls will be the Great Orme Brewery who will be offering 10 or more local draft beers near a new entertainment area. Barry Mortlock of fayre organisers Llandudno Development Partnership said: “Our goal is to make the fayre - now in its 12th year - an unique event.”

Businessman Mr Mortlock, who previously owned Badgers tearooms in Llandudno, said around 150 stalls will be erected in Trinity Square as well as Madoc and Augusta Streets.

Partnership chairman David Rowley said: “We have outgrown Madoc Street and thought now was the time to consider expansion. Conwy County Borough Council and town council gave us full support.

“This means that shoppers will have far more space to enjoy excellent retail therapy at a special time of year and we will have more than 150 traders from all over the UK. Each year our product offer gets better and better and it’s a great event to find those very special and unusual gifts.

We want to see the area of Trinity Square used to attract quality local producers from across North Wales and to use the event to showcase the amazing products we have to offer. After all Llandudno is the major retail area of North Wales and provides a fantastic facility.

“We want to show all our many visitors that we have an array of quality local producers, from meat, to fish, cheeses, beers and wines. Wouldn’t it be amazing to challenge everyone to source all their Christmas dinner locally including wine!”

Farmers and food producers should call 07725237667
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/llandudnos-christmas-fayre-double-size-9898756

[Ian]

The area is obviously doing something right because visitor numbers this year are higher than in previous years, according to a source with whom I chatted, yesterday. Certainly, some local cafes have increased takings substantially this summer, the new Land Train around the Marine Drive almost sparked a fight, yesterday, between the large number of visitors wanting to take the ride, and CCBC reports that use of the Marine Drive by paying customers is far in excess of previous years.

How far this is reflected in the hotel trade is still hard to measure, but the major hotels on the sea front are doing very well, apparently.

What is surprising, I suppose, is that this is happening towards the end of the traditional 'high' season, the weather hasn't been uniformly wonderful this summer and people are still not feeling flush.  On the flip side, petrol remains fairly reasonable, many may be cancelling holidays to Tunisia and Thailand and looking to visit somewhere nearer home and the Countryfile programme might have wetted the appetites of those waiting for the usual late deals. 

[Nemesis]

Two couples this week arrived here because they had seen Countryfile.

[Fester]

If, (and it is still not proven), that larger numbers are visiting, then they are visiting at peak times only... and the type of visitor is a very different demographic than was the case, even a couple of year ago.

I am prepared to concede that Llandudno is rammed at certain times of the day, (1pm til 4pm) in late July and August.
It is the only time of the day that my colleagues and I are ever truly busy.
In fact, we are so busy on some of these days that it is very stressful.
However, before 1pm, and after 4pm, the town and the Pier are pretty quiet, or even pretty much deserted.

I have been talking to Publicans and Bar managers in Upper Mostyn St,  they have had a terrible season... unless they are allowed to open until 2am,  because its after midnight when the local youngsters come out.

Another point I will concede is that Cafe's and Eateries (by and large) seem to be doing well.
This ties in with Dave R's assertion that people have stopped buying 'things',  instead they will spend their dwindling disposable on drinking, eating and experiences.
Everyone walks through town, or up the pier carrying an ice-cream, or a take-away coffee.
How many more ice creams would we see carried if the seagulls didn't steal the majority of them!

A couple of weeks to go yet, but I have enough information to conclude that I will probably have similar takings to last year (maybe 3-4% down or so), but... it has been concertinaed into a shorter selling season, and into a mad 2 hours or so each day.

 

 

[SteveH]

North Wales £85m tourism spending spree to push region as holiday destination

It will be the single biggest EU investment made in the sector with the 10 prioritised projects now moving forward to the next stage for individual assessment and agreement before building works can commence

Venue Cymru is a key regional facility located in Llandudno that delivers significant indirect economic impact into the region via the business tourism market. Investment would be spent to raise the standards of facilities on offer to make it more competitive.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/north-wales-85m-tourism-spending-11057991