Awards will showcase best of Welsh tourism

A historic castle in the heart of Pembrokeshire will be given its chance to shine at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill is among the finalists at The National Tourism Awards for Wales being staged by the Welsh Government to showcase the best of the best in the industry that employs nearly 12 per cent of the Welsh workforce and pumps £3.8 billion into the nation’s economy every year.

The ceremony, sponsored by foodservice company Castell Howell, will take place at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, March 27.

A total of 48 finalists have been shortlisted in 12 categories ranging from Best Hotel to Best Event and including awards for Sustainable Tourism, Accessibility and Inclusivity and Dog Friendliness

The event will be hosted by Aled Rhys Jones, a well-known broadcaster who’s also the Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Entertainment will be provided by the popular Welsh of the West End group who reached the semi final of Britain’s Got Talent and Band Pres Llareggub (Llareggub Brass Band) with their exciting blend of Welsh language pop, traditional New Orleans jazz and New York Hip Hop.

Tickets are available from https://www.walestourismawards.co.uk/the-awards/

Carew Castle will be going for a hat-trick of titles at Llandudno after winning Best Attraction at both the Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards and the South West Wales Tourism Awards.

Daisy Hughes, Visitor Services Manager, is looking forward to the event at Llandudno where she spent many childhood holidays and she said: “It would be brilliant to win a hat-trick of titles but the competition is going to be really tough.

“We do have a fantastic offer at Carew Castle with its heritage and 2,000 years of history and a beautiful location with an iconic presence within the Pembrokeshire National Park.

“But it’s also down to how we manage the site and look after our staff and visitors and how we take conservation very seriously to make us an all-round site with sustainability at the heart of everything we do.”

The event has been welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning with responsibility for tourism, Rebecca Evans.

She said: “We’re proud to support The National Tourism Awards for Wales in this Year of Croeso as they provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate excellence in an industry that is crucial to the Welsh economy.

“Congratulations to all who have been nominated for an award. Wales has so much to offer visitors – and the positive, high-quality experiences you provide for your guests contribute immensely to our attractiveness as a destination.”

Jim Jones, the Chief Executive of North Wales Tourism, who are organising this year’s event, said: “It’s wonderful to be hosting The National Tourism Awards for Wales here in North Wales.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate the best of the best in the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales and the exceptional job these businesses do in putting Wales on the international map.

“The sheer volume and quality of entries this year has underlined why Wales is a truly world class destination and showcases what we have to offer visitors from home and abroad.

“Tickets are available to all for what promises to be wonderful evening with fantastic entertainment and, most important of all, an opportunity to celebrate all that is best in Welsh tourism.”

Tickets for the event are available from https://www.walestourismawards.co.uk/the-awards/