2019 will be Wales’ Year of Discovery, when visitors will be encouraged to not only discover Wales but also themselves through the wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences the country has to offer.
Tourists can discover Welsh cuisine, the beautiful landscapes and heritage of Wales or even the hidden gems within the cosmopolitan city of Cardiff.
The Wales Way will also remain a focus for the year ahead. Launched at last year’s WTM, it is compiled of three national touring routes that cross the country’s most epic landscapes, showcasing its fascinating history, coastlines and attractions. This campaign is part of a 10-year development programme to increase visitors.
St Fagans National Museum of History is one of seven across Wales and the museum is undergoing the biggest redevelopment project in its history – an exciting £30 million project to transform this much-loved museum into a gateway introducing Wales for all visitors.
In a new initiative, visitors can now explore life in Wales from the earliest humans to present day life at St Fagans through the national collections of history and archaeology.
Meanwhile, Cambria DMC has almost doubled its team ready for WTM. Its popular weekly guaranteed departures for fully inclusive tours – Snapshot of Wales – will extend in 2019, beginning in May and running every Monday until the end of September.
These guided tours take in the whole country in five days filled with an array of exciting activities, from learning about the Welsh tradition of carving lovespoons, to visiting the last place the Devil visited in Wales, to having the opportunity to stay in a Welsh castle.
In addition to its current offering of adventure, cycling, walking, self-drive and chauffeur-driven tours, Cambria DMC is planning a literary tour for 2019 to showcase the inspiration and culture found within Wales. 2019 will see even more bespoke tours of Wales that accommodate every interest and activity from food fanatics to steam-railway enthusiasts
Meanwhile, Portmeirion, an Italianate village situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, is exhibiting at WTM for the first time in 2018.
One of Wales’ most popular destinations, Portmeirion Village features iconic architecture, scenic gardens and vast woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, spa and award-winning restaurants. New group rates and bespoke excursions will be available to WTM delegates.
A new Wales specialist, Routescape, will also launch at WTM, offering unique travel experiences for the discerning traveller, initially focused on the best of Wales and the wider British Isles. Carefully designed tours will offer stays in a collection of handpicked luxury hotels set in the most scenic locations.
Also exhibiting with Visit Wales in 2018 are Cadw and the Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis.
Following an historical win for the Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas in the Tour de France over the summer, Visit Wales will be working hard to maximise on this amazing global boost for Wales’ profile.
http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/?lang=en
Stand: UKI200