Antur Cymru

Antur Cymru is the umbrella organisation representing outdoor - education, recreation, and tourism in Wales. The growing membership consists of a very wide range of organisations that have an active interest in an exceptional variety of outdoor provision in the Welsh countryside and coast.

Antur Cymru has active observer status membership for other key bodies in Wales, which include the Countryside Council for Wales, Sports Council for Wales and Wales Tourist Board. Antur Cymru is currently very actively supporting the progression and promotion of adventure tourism and water based activity tourism opportunities.

It is also working to ensure that Wales fully benefits from the many statutory guidance's and initiatives, which both encourage and enable an extremely wide range of both adventure activity participation and visitor attraction visits to safely take place for young people. It has been active in monitoring the implementation of the Countryside Rights of Way Act and has participated in the review of the Adventure Activities Licensing regulations as well as the progression of the H.S.E Working at Height Directive. It provides a critical forum for the exchange of views and development of supportive responses and initiatives for the outdoor industry.

The Chairperson is currently Brian Davies who can be contacted on 01792 232743 or brian@kilvrough.org.uk

AWA -

Association of Welsh Agents

Self-catering agents that participate in the WTB grading scheme have regularly met with the Board a couple of times a year on an informal basis.

It was recently decided by the group to form an Association of Welsh Agents and to become members of the Wales Tourism Alliance to facilitate communication between the Agents themselves, the WTB and the WTA.

The Association includes virtually all the Wales-based Agencies (plus one just over the border!) and collectively its members market in the region of 2,500 self-catering units.

We represent a very large number of tourism operators, many with just the one farmhouse or cottage, others with larger complexes.

The formation of the Association will provide representation, not just for the Agents themselves, but also for the individual operators.

At a meeting on 17 October 2003, it was agreed that Barbara Griffiths of North Wales Holiday Cottages and Farmhouses would represent the Association at WTA meetings and Gwen Thomas of Snowdonia Tourist Services would provide the secretariat.

Barbara can be contacted at barbara@nwhc.demon.co.uk and Gwen at all@sts-holidays.com

BHA -

British Hospitality Association
www.bha-online.org.uk

The British Hospitality Association is the national association representing the hotel, restaurant and catering industry. It is active in Whitehall and Westminster, in Brussels, and in the devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales on a range of issues from employment Directives to classification and grading.

The BHA Wales Committee represents hoteliers, restaurateurs and caterers in Wales. In addition to being a founder and active member of the Wales Tourism Alliance, the association maintains close contact with the Wales Tourist Board and counts the Regional Tourism Companies as affiliated members.

BHHPA -

British Holiday & Home Park Association
www.bhhpa.org.uk

The British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) is the representative trade body for the parks industry in the United Kingdom. BH&HPA has 303 members in Wales who own or manage 365 caravan holiday home, chalet and touring parks, providing some 200,000 tourist beds.

BH&HPA lobbies extensively on behalf of its members, whilst providing wide-ranging advice through a 'members only' website, handbook, bi-monthly Journal and a network of retained, specialist advisers. A public website, along with specialist directories and guides, promote the industry to the public. Advantageous rates for members have been negotiated with leading insurance and financial institutions.

TCCC -

The Camping and Caravanning Club
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

The Camping and Caravanning Club is the oldest such Club in the world with a history going back to 1901.

Today it has 400,000 members and offers them everything they need for great camping holidays.

Our network of nearly 100 award winning sites includes six in Wales. The Club also has special planning exemptions which allow it to give Welsh farmers and other landowners permission to set up small caravan sites without the need for planning permission.

The Club has a number of other services such as caravan insurance, road side recovery and other financial services as well as offering technical advice and help to its members.

We also organises overseas holidays through our Carefree travel service to most of the countries in Europe as well as far afield as New Zealand and Canada.

Organised in a number of Regions the Club's local branches (known as District Associations) cover the whole of Wales and offer inexpensive weekend camping in some of the loveliest corners of the land.

The Club is particular keen to encourage camping by young folk and has a large voluntary countryside care movement which works on environmental projects, putting something back into the countryside from which members get their pleasure.

The Club promotes caravanning and is often asked by Government departments and official bodies to advise on camping and caravanning issues, including issues specific to Wales.

For further information contact Peter Frost, Director of Communications on 024 7646 5030 or peter.frost@campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

TCC -

The Caravan Club
www.caravanclub.co.uk

The Caravan Club is Europe's premier touring organisation, representing the interests of 850,000 caravanners, motor caravanners and trailer tenters. With the largest private network of quality sites in the UK and 2,700 Certificated Locations (CLs - smaller 5-pitch maximum sites on farms, stately homes etc), it provides the equivalent of 18 million 'bed nights' per annum.

The Caravan Club has 18 Caravan Club Sites in Wales, including its Golden Jubilee site at Pembrey Country Park. Non-members are welcome at 14 of these sites. There are also 320 CLs in Wales.

The full range of Caravan Club services and activities, covering: practical caravan courses; caravan, motor, home and travel insurance; breakdown services, technical advice and details of all Club sites can be found at our web site.

Farm stay -

Farm Stay UK
www.farmstay.co.uk

Farm Stay UK is a farmer owned consortium aiming to promote the concept of farm tourism in the UK; to help businesses through proactive marketing/ sales support and to assist farmers in broadening their income base through diversification.

FSB -

Federation of Small Businesses
www.fsb.org.uk

The FSB (National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses) is a lobbying and campaigning business organisation regularly consulted by the Government and National Assembly. In Wales the FSB regularly lobbies MP’s and AM’s on changes to employment law and business regulations. The FSB also responds to consultation documents ensuring that the voice of the small business proprietor is heard. It is also represented on a number of public bodies.

It provides its members with a wide range of benefits including a free legal helpline and advice for in-depth investigations by the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

FSSAOW -

Forum for Small Serviced Accommodation Operators in Wales

The Forum was set up in May 2004 under the auspices of the WTA to represent the collective opinion of bed and breakfast and small guest house operators in Wales with 10 letting bedrooms or less.

It operates to debate all issues of interest to this sector of the industry and to exchange views from both within the industry and with organisations such as WTB.

Membership of the forum consists of two representatives each from North Wales Tourism, Mid Wales Tourism, FarmStay Wales, SW Wales Tourism Associations and the trade in SE Wales.

The secretariat for the forum is provided by Mid Wales Tourism (contact Val Hawkins - Tel 01654 702653; email ValH@midwalestourism.co.uk).

The Forum is chaired by June Jenkins of Cowbridge (Tel 01446 774451; email junejenkins@bydd.co.uk)

MWT -

Mid Wales Tourism
www.mid-wales-tourism.org.uk

Mid Wales Tourism (MWT), a company limited by guarantee was formed in 1991. MWT is the principal deliverer of support for the Tourism Economy of Mid Wales and serves the tourism industry throughout Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd area of Gwynedd.

MWT is the main regional membership organisation for tourism businesses, representing tourism interests at local, regional and national levels. The company has circa 700 members, ranging across the whole spectrum of the tourism industry. Membership benefits include free listing on the regional website, preferential banking facilities and rates on credit card processing, discounts on specialist insurance packages, leaflet distribution and provision of discount vouchers towards training courses.

NCC -

National Caravan Council
www.nationalcaravan.co.uk

The National Caravan Council was originally formed in 1939 as the trade association for the UK Caravan Industry. With a membership in excess of 500, the NCC represents the manufacturers, dealers, park operators and supplies and services providers throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The NCC also has strong links with the caravanning public through its presence at both national and regional exhibitions. Many of the services provided by the NCC are directly relevant to caravanners and are explained in greater detail through the recently launched web site - www.thecaravan.net

NWT -

North Wales Tourism
www.nwt.co.uk

North Wales Tourism represents over 1300 private sector public organisations within the North Wales tourism/hospitality industry. Wales. It is the principal deliverer of support for the tourism industry on a partnership basis.

SEWTF -

South East Wales Tourism Forum

The South East Wales Tourism Forum was set up in February 2005 to provide a mechanism for the exchange of views between and among tourism stakeholders with an interest in the development of tourism in the region. In particular it provides an interface between tourism associations and representative groups in the South East Region, and both Capital Region Tourism (CRT), Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) and those with an interest in tourism in the Region.

The forum is administered by the industry and encompasses all tourism business sectors within the Region. which consists of the counties of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen, the Vale of Glamorgan and adjacent areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The forum meet four times a year and represents the collective opinion of tourism businesses. Members are nominated from:

• tourism associations or tourism-related groups active within Region
• regional representatives from national sectoral organisations
• CRT Regional Strategy Director or nominated representative
• WTA Chairman or nominated representatives

The Forum is chaired by Mandy Davies, Crossways Manor House, Cowbridge, CF71 7LJ. Tel: 01446 773171 email info@crosswayshouse.co.uk
The forum secretariat is provided by Tourism Wales (contact Val Hawkins - Tel 01654 702653; email info@tourismwales.co.uk).

SWWTA -

South West Wales Tourism Associations

The four local tourism associations of South West Wales (CarmarthenshireTourist Association, Pembrokeshire Tourism, Tourism Swansea and Neath & Port Talbot Tourism) provide the tourism and hospitality industry of South West Wales with organisations which it, the trade, owns and directs and which participate in the partnership delivery of local, regional and national strategies for tourism.

They have evolved from local tourism groups and now work with the South West Wales Tourism Partnership, the WDA, the county councils of the region and regional facilitators to increase visitor numbers to the region through marketing area brochures and web sites. Local associations target as many trade representatives as possible to ensure a united front through which the other agencies can operate. These local associations are still evolving; some are very young while others have the advantage of experience (perhaps?).

Each, however, recognises the problems that face tourism operators in this most diverse and beautiful area of Wales and are about to participate in `Gallu' - a regional programme in which businesses have the opportunity to participate in and evolve training programmes tailored to the needs of their individual businesses.

Already represented on the South West Wales Tourism Partnership and the Wales Tourism Alliance, the local associations must develop and move forward to bring together the common problems they share in South West Wales and fulfil the statement made in the first paragraph above.

TTFW -

Tourism Training Forum for Wales
www.ttfw.org.uk

The Tourism Training Forum for Wales provides support and leadership to tourism businesses in Wales. Working closely with education and training providers it aims to develop the industry's skills and knowledge base so that quality and training are at the heart of the Wales tourism industry.

The Forum is involved in a number of innovative projects which bring the areas of education & training and business together. Working in partnership it is also leading the development of regional teams who will be committed to working closely with businesses and education providers in across Wales.

For details visit www.ttfw.org.uk or for business advice www.whodoiask.com.

Tourism Training Forum for Wales / Fforwm Hyfforddi Twristiaeth yng Nghymru
Unit 16 Frazer Buildings / Uned 16 Adeiladau Frazer
126 Bute Street / Heol Bute
Cardiff / Caerdydd
CF10 5LE
Tel: 029 2049 5174
Fax. 029 2049 0291

WASCO -

Wales Association of Self-Catering Operators www.walescottages.org.uk

WASCO's membership comprises of one cottage operators, to large agencies operating though out Wales. Members have previous diverse careers in other fields, resulting in a potential pool of talent that could be called upon by the tourism industry.

WASCO appreciates that it is only part of the tourism industry in Wales and it must also be aware of developments in the rest of UK and from international competition.

WASCO acts as a voice of self catering in Wales and works through WTA as a focus- pressure- group in advancing the needs of tourism and in making local authorities, National Assembly and Westminster aware of the needs and problems of tourism.

WOTGA -

Wales Official Tourist Guides Association www.walestourguides.com

The Wales Official Tourist Guides Association was formed in 1983 to promote and represent the interests of qualified self-employed professional tour guides in Wales.

Now with over fifty members and strong links to the Institute of Tourist Guides we operate throughout Wales with the active approval of the Wales Tourist Board.

With bi-annual professional development training events we maintain our knowledge and skills at the highest level so that we continue to offer the best possible service to clients.

Our members offer a huge variety of tours and itineraries on foot or by coach. Several Driver Guide Members also offer tours by car. An itinerary planning service for the trade and individual visitor ensures that customer satisfaction remains a top priority.

We currently operate a "Passport to Wales" programme with a free guide service on selected routes in rural areas. See www.passporttowales.com

Many individuals operate web sites with on line booking facilities and there is also a central on-line enquiry facility at www.walestourguides.com

WAVA -

Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions

The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) was formed to support and represent visitor attraction operators. It provides networking opportunities for operators to discuss problems and share experience. It also ensures that information relevant to the industry is shared through its biannual conferences, through e-mail links with members and through newsletters.

The Association also represents the interests of attractions to bodies such as the British Tourist Authority, the Wales Tourist Board and the Regional Tourism Partnerships, raising issues of concern and encouraging the widest possible support for attractions in strategy development and implementation and the proper consideration of attractions in all marketing and development plans.

YHA -

Youth Hostels Association
www.yha.org.uk

YHA offers affordable accommodation at 36 youth hostels across Wales mostly located in the national parks of Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast.