Visit Wales’ head of marketing Lucy von Weber explains why Wales has much to offer for groups in search of something a bit different.
In 2024 we continue celebrating Wales by Trails where visitors can find forgotten treasures, embrace journeys of the senses and make memories along pathways, around attractions, activities, landscapes and coastlines. Wales Trails has been chosen by Lonely Planet as one of the best places to visit in 2024 for value and sustainability.
Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. Those in Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech have UNESCO World Heritage Status. Exciting developments at Caerphilly Castle, due to complete in summer 2024, will enhance the visitor experience.
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and the Slate Landscape of North West Wales.
Amgueddfa Cymru / Museum Wales has seven sites around Wales, each with a different story to tell and world-class collections celebrating Welsh history and culture as well as artefacts from around the globe. All are free.
The Museum of Land Speed has opened telling the story of Pendine and the land speed records by Sir Malcolm Campbell and John Parry Thomas. The development includes Y Caban with 14 rooms sleeping up to 43 guests.
The remarkable Newport Transporter Bridge opens in Newport in 2024 along with a new visitor centre.
As the guardians of some of Wales’ best-loved castles, houses and gardens, National Trust properties offer a great mix of places to discover. Dyffryn Gardens has been recognised by the Times Newspaper as one of the best-looking winter gardens in the UK.
Groups can experience very different landscapes across Wales’ three National Parks - Eryri (Snowdonia), Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Pembrokeshire Coast. Wales is of course one of a few countries in the world to have a continuous coastal walking route – the Wales Coast Path.
Major cities Cardiff, Swansea and Newport have a diverse range of attractions. Our website includes sample itineraries to help plan tours.
The remarkable Newport Transporter Bridge opens in Newport in 2024 along with a new visitor centre.
It is one of the most complete surviving transporter bridges, and only one of six remaining in the world. It is also the inspiration for the interior design of the nearby 135 bedroomed Mercure Newport Hotel that opened in 2022. Tŷ Newport, with 129 bedrooms plus restaurant and bar is due to open in May 2024. Tŷ Magor and Tŷ Milford are also part of the Celtic Collection.
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and the Slate Landscape of North West Wales.
The Royal Mint in Llantrisant has unveiled new coins featuring King Charles III. As well as making coins, visitors can learn first-hand how coins are made and its 1,100 - year history. A range of Travel Trade packages are available including new for 2024, ‘Key To The Mint’. They won the Group Leisure & Travel Award for Best Museum or Gallery in 2023 and were a finalist in the Best Guided Tour category. With other attractions they offer a bespoke tour, Coin Coal & Cheers, including A Welsh Coal Mining Experience and Hensol Castle Distillery, recognised again by TripAdvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner for its visitor experience.
Penderyn has opened their third distillery - Swansea Copperworks Distillery - in the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks site. All offer a visitor centre, shop, behind the scene tours and masterclasses.
Lucy von Weber,
Head of Marketing, Visit Wales
For more information visit www.traveltrade.visitwales.com.
This comment is from the 2024 edition of Who’s Who in Group Leisure. Posted to thousands of our readers it is also available online for everyone by clicking here.
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