What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to support self-catering accommodation businesses ahead of the summer season?
The Welsh Government supports self-catering accommodation businesses in the approach to summer – and at all times of year – through marketing, grading and advice. We maintain a database of accommodation which we make available on the Visit Wales website. We provide valuable advice and training, and act as a bridge to wider government support programs.
A key purpose of Visit Wales is to promote tourism to potential visitors across the UK and internationally, driving custom to all our tourism businesses including those in the self-catering sector. We encourage visits through targeted campaigns, a wide range of web and social media content, and PR and media activity, often delivered with stakeholder partners.
Visit Wales’s social media channels (with a following of 1.8 million) and website promote products and accommodation to inspire visits to Wales. Additionally, the current Hwyl campaign features a range of accommodation and products. It includes advertising on a variety of platforms, including TV, streaming and digital, targeting different audiences.
The Visit Wales quality assurance team provides grading for self-catering accommodation and targetted advice to help providers improve their businesses. We aim to maintain accommodation standards through our grading and verification schemes (currently serving around 4,000 businesses) and the Adventure Activity Accreditation Scheme.