Tourism and hospitality in North Wales have been given a £50 million vote of confidence for new attractions and accommodation even after a tough year so far.

The industry will be celebrated in the Go North Wales Awards at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 24 which will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Sian Lloyd.

The window for submissions in 16 categories is open until Monday, October 10.

According to North Wales Tourism chief executive Jim Jones, times were still tough for the sector but there was “light at the end of the tunnel”.

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Due to the cost-of-living crisis the number of staycation visitors was down. Bookings for August, September and October were unusually slow in contrast to last year when it had been extremely busy.

However, there was optimism that the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales would eventually return to and then exceed pre-pandemic levels in visitors annually pumping £3.6 billion into the region’s economy.

Mr Jones said: “There are challenges at the moment so it’s great to have the opportunity to celebrate as well by staging the Go North Wales Awards which will showcase the best we have to offer.

“Importantly, it is also a chance to recognise all the work, the sacrifices and the investment that’s been put into the tourism sector.

“We can therefore be optimistic that tourism and hospitality is well place to lead the region on the road to economic recovery.”

“There are lots of positive things happening so we do have reasons to be cheerful.

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“My conservative estimate is that at least £50 million is being invested in the region by key tourism and hospitality operators.

“Zip World are launching have launched Underground Golf at Llechwedd in Blaenau Ffestiniog while another of our major success stories, Adventure Parc Snowdonia, in the Conwy Valley is investing £5 million to make it an all-year-round destination, particularly for business events, conferences and team-building courses.

“The Belmont and the Queen’s hotels in Llandudno have been bought up by a company called Everbrite and they’re investing in them.

“Meanwhile, £6.5 million plans to redevelop the iconic Royal Hotel in Llangollen have been given the go-ahead.

“We are already re-establishing our links with the Asian market and our relationship with Japan is particularly strong and we’re building on the twinning of Conwy and Himeji castles a few years back.

“We have now forged similar links between Llandudno and the Swiss skiing resort of Champéry.

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“All these things are helping us raise our profile internationally but we’ve got to do more and promote ourselves as the Adventure Capital of Europe.

“Hopefully, with support from the likes of Welsh Government, we can re-establish ourselves as a confident region and bring people into North Wales to come to stay and spend their money.

“That’s why events like the Go North Wales Awards are so incredibly important because it’s a chance to shout about the best of the best.

“We are hugely grateful of all our sponsors because quite simply the awards could not happen without their support.”

More details can be found at www.gonorthwalestourismawards.website and the categories up for grabs are:

  • Go Hotel Award 2022  
  • Go B&B / Inn Award 2022  
  • Go Self Catering Award 2022  
  • Go Holiday Park Award 2022  
  • Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping Award 2022 
  • Go Attraction Award 2022 
  • Go Activity Award 2022 
  • Go Best Event Award 2022 
  • Go Food and Drink Award 2022 
  • Go Tourism Supplier Award 2022 
  • Go Skills Award 2022 
  • Go Responsible and Sustainable Green Award 2022 
  • Go Pet Friendly Award 2022 
  • Go Young Person Award 2022 
  • Go Best Newcomer Award 2022 
  • Go North Wales Judges Award 2022