Hotels link up to promote tourism

Four north Wales hotels have joined forces to promote tourism in the area.

The North Wales Hotel Group said its members missed out on funding which was usually concentrated in large resorts.

The group includes The Trearddur Bay hotel and Tre-ysgawen Hall Hotel on Anglesey, The Quay Hotel in Conwy, and Soughton Hall Hotel in Flintshire.

A spokesperson for Visit Wales - the Welsh Assembly Government body responsible for promoting Wales - congratulated the group.

Tony Riley, of The Quay Hotel, said the group decided to form because its members were not in the "honey pot" tourist locations which usually attract funding.

'Fight for business'

Experts have predicted a gloomy year for hotels and the leisure industry as the economic downturn continues.

But Mr Riley said pooling resources and cross-promoting businesses would help put north Wales "on the map".

Each member has invested "a few thousand pounds" into the venture and the group will visit tourist fairs across Wales and the UK.

Mr Riley said: "This is an important initiative for us in 2009.

"We are not knocking Visit Wales but we need to fight for business.

"There are over 200 jobs involved across the four hotels and tourism puts back £10 million into the local economy each year."

A Visit Wales spokesperson welcomed the move, adding: "It is recognised that during the current economic climate we all need to work in close partnership in order to succeed.

"We congratulate the group for taking the initiative and wish them well during 2009."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
North Wales Hotel Group
Visit Wales
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites