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Sustainable transport and tourism a 'must do' for Wales23/11/2009

Speaking at a conference to launch the report of a Study Group into Sustainable Transport and Tourism in Wales, Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones made it clear that the Assembly Government is 100% behind efforts to make tourism in Wales sustainable.

He endorsed the recommendations of the Study Group, which was made up of representatives from the public transport and tourism sectors in Wales, saying that it was heartening to see such 'joined up' working.

Short term objectives set out in the report are to:

• Provide better information to visitors on what sustainable transport options   are currently available
• Encourage more local services linked to visitor attractions
• Offer incentives to visitors to use public transport
• Simplify ticketing arrangements including integrated ticketing for different modes of transport
• Provide travel planning for key visitor attractions.

The Minister said: "Tourism is vital to the Welsh economy, providing many jobs and contributing many millions of pounds to the economy. We are keen to ensure that visitors to Wales have the opportunity to experience Wales' coast and countryside and associated visitor attractions by sustainable means.

"Reducing visitors' dependency on the car will help reduce noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions related to tourism as well as reducing congestion and disruption to local people."

"Sustainable tourism is about getting local community support and involvement in the development and management of tourism. It's important to ensure that tourism supports rather than detracts from the quality of life of communities that host tourism. The recommendations contained in this report will go some way towards ensuring that as many visitors as possible are able to access Wales by sustainable means of transport."

His comments were endorsed and supported by Jo Jones, Director of Tourism and Marketing, Welsh Assembly Government, and Gareth Hall, Director General, Department for the Economy and Transport.

Later in the conference, the Community Rail Officers of Wales launched their own contribution to the sustainability campaign – a full colour A2 poster promoting 'Scenic Wales by Train and TrawsCambria'. The poster folds down to convenient pocket size. One side shows the key scenic rail routes of Wales and the Border counties. The other side provides suggestions for tourism attractions and activities that are easily accessed by train and the expanding TrawsCambria coach network.

"We are keen to promote tourism in Wales by public transport", explained Community Rail Officer David Edwards, of the Heart of Wales Line Forum.

"At our regular promotional events in English rail terminals people often ask us 'where is the best place to go in Wales?' This poster–map provides the introductory information they need, and highlights where they can find out more".

Gerwyn Jones from the Cambrian Railways Partnership commented "As well as undertaking work to promote our individual railways as attractions in their own right, joint initiatives like this really add value by raising the profile of the tourism and transport package at a national level".

Notes and downloads

• The Conference was arranged by The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) in collaboration with the Rail and Tourism departments of the Welsh Assembly Government.
• The event was chaired by ACoRP General Manager Neil Buxton
• Sustainable Transport and Tourism Assessment Final Report - November 2009 - PDF 676kB
• Scenic Wales by Train and TrawsCambria - PDF 2.5MB.