Wales celebrates ‘hwyl’ spirit with major new attractions opening

Wales continues to celebrate our ‘croeso’ (welcome), inviting visitors to ‘Feel the hwyl. Only in Wales’. Building on the success of the 2025 campaign, ‘hwyl’—based on the Welsh word that uniquely embodies a sense of fun, passion, and spirit—has resonated with visitors and the tourism industry alike, drawing comparisons to the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ and inspiring a wave of interest in authentic Welsh experiences.

Celebrating the elements that make Wales special, including our rich cultural heritage, language, and the joyful sense of ‘hwyl’ that holidays in Wales can give we will continue to spotlight the country’s landscapes, events, food and drink, attractions and experiences.

Product highlights for 2026

Wales continues to innovate and invest in world-class visitor experiences. Here are just a few highlights:

Wrexham: riding high on the success of Welcome to Wrexham, the city will see the opening of the Football Museum for Wales and Wrexham Museum in 2026.

Caerphilly Castle: following extensive refurbishment, the Great Hall and inner castle ward have reopened, featuring state-of-the-art digital exhibits and improved accessibility.

The Royal Mint Experience: new tours showcase pioneering gold recovery technology and Britain’s coinage history, with unique exhibits and luxury jewellery innovations.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways: guided tours of the historic Boston Lodge Engineering Works, the oldest continually operating railway engineering works in the world.

The British Bird of Prey Centre: welcoming groups to its new, easily accessible location in Idole, near Carmarthen, where visitors can enjoy close encounters with native birds, an all-weather indoor flying arena, interactive activities, and locally sourced refreshments.

Loving Welsh Food: offers engaging Welsh cake demonstrations and hands-on workshops at Cardiff’s historic Tabernacle chapel, led by renowned expert Nerys Howell, providing groups of 8 to 40 with a taste of Welsh food heritage and practical baking experience. Sessions last 1 to 1.5 hours.

National Eisteddfod: 2026 marks 850 years of the event – a celebration of the Welsh language, music and culture.

The Celtic Collection: St Brides Spa Hotel recently brought into the collection, and a partnership announced with Retreats Group expanding its Pembrokeshire luxury hotel portfolio.

Vale Resort: luxurious new-look executive bedrooms and spa refurbishment for group accommodation.

Portmeirion Hotel: celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 alongside the 60th anniversary of the filming of the iconic 1960s TV series The Prisoner.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lucy von Weber,
Head of Marketing, Visit Wales 

For more information visit www.traveltrade.visitwales.com. 

This comment is from the 2026 edition of Who’s Who in Group Leisure. Posted to thousands of our readers it is also available online for everyone by clicking here.