Wales has an adventure for everyone

This week, the Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism is making a series of visits in north Wales to raise awareness of Wales’ varied and world class adventure product ahead of Wales’ Year of Adventure in 2016.

Visit Wales’ themed years approach aims to provide a focus for investment, project development and marketing and in 2016 the focus will be on Year of Adventure. 2016  will build on a wave of exciting new openings and developments, and over 10 years of ongoing investment to make Wales one of the UK’s leading adventure destinations. The outdoor activity sector is worth £481 million to the Welsh economy and is growing across the world.

Today, the Deputy Minister visited Rib Rides on the Menai Strait which is an adventure boat tour company offering fast and fun tours of the natural history of Anglesey.  As well as a RIB ride on the Menai Strait, visitors can also opt for the Bear Grylls adventure boat tour.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said:

“Adventure means different things to different people,  and Year of Adventure 2016 gives us an excellent opportunity to celebrate the variety and quality of the adventure tourism offer in Wales.  While some of our activity will  focus on pure Adventure experiences for surfers, cyclists, canoeists, hikers; Wales’s big celebration will also include a wide range of softer adventures, aimed at general  markets, not least the people of Wales. Physical, natural, cultural – we will celebrate the rich variety of experiences Wales has to offer people of all ages, all abilities. There is real scope through Adventure to truly inspire the children and adults of Wales to become confident, healthy and happy I encourage the tourism industry and Welsh public to join us for a new adventure – to take pride in what Wales has to offer – and take part.”

Phil Scott owner of Rib Rides and Chair of the North Wales Tourism Forum, said:

“At RibRide, we pride ourselves on offering an adventure the whole family can enjoy, grandparents and grandchildren together.  Adventure is for everyone and we aim to use the natural backdrop of Anglesey to create inspiration to visit North Wales, and then come back to enjoy all the other fantastic ways to stay, eat and play.”

After an exhilarating ride on the Menai Strait, the Deputy Minister headed over the Anglesey Circuit and had an opportunity to be driven in two of the world’s fastest and most expensive cars a McLaren F1 and Pagani.

Newly configured in 2007, Anglesey Circuit hosts around 40 weekend car and bike race meetings and track days through the year, as well as being a test venue for young race drivers.

As such the circuit is right at the heart of adventure.  Christopher Bibb from Anglesey Circuit, said:

“It was really super to meet a minister that is so interested and passionate about cars and racing. I doubt he will forget his rides today and we were delighted with the support he gave to our circuit”

To keep up to date with ideas and developments of how the industry can get involved with Year of Adventure 2016 follow @visitwalesbiz