Two new businesses have recently launched in rural Carmarthenshire thanks to funding from RDP Sir Gar’s Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) project.
Delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Physical Regeneration division, the grant aimed to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s position as a year round premier tourist destination by helping businesses to develop and promote themselves.
Visit Ancestral Wales, specialise in holidays for people interested in researching their family tree and Welsh history. They received funding for Llysmeurig,a 1930’s themed holiday accommodation in Pwll Trap near St Clears and Cefnmeurig, a genealogy research room attached to their award winning 5 star cottage holiday accommodation in Llangynin. Llysmeurig also has an exhibition of 1930s and 40s photographs in the house and a traditional photographic darkroom in one of the outbuildings.
The company has considerable genealogy resources accumulated over the decades. The funding was awarded to enable the business to take advantage of the huge global interest in genealogy.
Between the two operations, Visit Ancestral Wales hope to create 6 new part time jobs and safeguard another.
Owner, Anne Owen-Taylor said: “We are very grateful to Carmarthenshire County Council for the funding to enable us to develop the important niche market of Welsh ancestral tourism. Our family roots are very firmly planted in Carmarthenshire and we are very proud of what the county has to offer. We have some exciting and innovative plans for promoting ancestral tourism which will benefit many other tourism operators. Traditionally the ancestral tourist spends more than the average visitor and is more likely to stay outside the main season.”
Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “There is a tremendous interest in tracing our roots and I’m confident that these two new businesses will attract visitors to Carmarthenshire.
“I’m pleased that the STARC project has been able to help the businesses set up and would like to commend the hard work of our regeneration department officers.”
Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) was funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
For details of other RDP Sir Gâr grant and support schemes, please call 01267 242 366 or visit www.wwec.org.uk
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