Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Rhian Hughes, Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig.

Members were reminded that a presentation was given by the Senior Tourism Development Officer at the Joint Committee meeting on 18 November 2015 on possible schemes to receive a financial contribution from tourists in order to invest in a specific area.

Rhian Hughes (Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig Thematic Officer, Menter Môn) and Alun Fôn Williams (Senior Tourism Development Officer, Gwynedd Council) were welcomed to the meeting. A presentation was given on the visitor giving pilot scheme established in the Snowdonia area by the Snowdonia Partnership, namely Snowdonia Giving. It was noted that Menter Môn had won a tender to trial the scheme through the LEADER grant programme which funded the piloting of innovative projects. It was reported that 25 businesses were a part of the Snowdonia Giving scheme and it was hoped that more would join in the future.

A short film was shown which promoted the Snowdonia Giving scheme. It was noted that there was potential for such a scheme in the Llŷn area and Menter Môn would be able to pilot the scheme for approximately £5,000.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions, and the following responses were given:

·        That the Snowdonia Giving scheme would be running from July 2016 to September 2017 in order to include all seasons. It was noted that an event would be held at the end of January where the total collected to date would be announced.

·        That a similar scheme in the Lake District generated an income of approximately £100,000 per annum with only bed and breakfast and hotels participating in the scheme. It was noted that the Snowdonia Giving scheme included attractions and events also.

·        That the LEADER grant scheme would last five years therefore it would be possible to wait until the end of the Snowdonia Giving pilot before deciding if there was a desire to pilot such a scheme in the Llŷn area. 

·        It was emphasised that a group was needed to run the pilot but Menter Môn would support the group and the costs could be kept down by using the same branding and website template as the ones created for Snowdonia Giving, but tailored for the Llŷn area.

·        Contributing was not mandatory and it was up to the visitor if they wanted to contribute or not.

·        No objection was received to the proposal from businesses in the Snowdonia Area but some were unsure as to whether they wanted to participate in the pilot. Businesses which were a part of the scheme as well as those which weren't and the press would be invited to the event in January and it was hoped that this would inspire other businesses to participate in the pilot.

The Llŷn AONB Service Manager thanked for the update and noted that it was an idea to be considered and that the implications needed to be considered and discussed with others such as the Coast Path Team in terms of piloting such a scheme in the Llŷn area.

A member noted that it was an idea that should be considered at the end of the Snowdonia Giving pilot in order to assess its success. A member added that a report should be received in the context of establishing such a scheme in the Llŷn area.

The Chairman thanked the officers for the presentation and asked if it would be possible for members of the Joint Committee to be invited to the Snowdonia Giving event in January. The Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig Thematic Officer noted that she would keep in contact and would send an invitation to the event.

RESOLVED that a report should be submitted to a meeting of the Joint Committee in the context of establishing such a scheme in the Llŷn area.