A multi million pound tourism package announced today (Thursday January 24) for the Heads of the Valleys aims to create up to 300 new jobs, attract nearly a quarter of a million visitors and help develop an industry worth more than £120 million.

Welsh Labour Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews said a further £5million funding has been approved for strategic tourism projects submitted by the five local authorities in the region.

Tourism is the key focus in the coming financial year for the £140million HoV initiative, now in its third year of delivery.

The projects are designed to maximise the unique appeal of the Heads of the Valleys and develop tourist attractions which will help establish the region as a key day visitor destination and a short break and activities location.

Core funding from the Welsh Assembly Government will act as a catalyst, lever in an additional £7m of investment, bringing the total value of the tourism developments to over £12million.
“The Heads of the Valleys area offers a unique combination of outdoor activity and heritage tourism. These investments will support these themes.

“Funding for these tourism projects will build on major works already undertaken by the five local authorities as part of the Heads of the Valleys programme ,” said the Deputy Minister.
The tourism industry will benefit from earlier investments when a total of £10million was allocated for large, landscape-scale environmental projects and major town centre improvements. In addition more than 140 smaller regeneration projects have received £17m funding from the programme.

The tourism projects range from the extension of the historic Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway near Big Pit, to the creation of a contemporary garden based on the theme of the environment and climate change.

Leighton Andrews said they promoted the region’s industrial, cultural and social heritage which, alongside outdoor activities including extreme sports, was the key to unlocking the tourism potential of the Heads of the Valleys.

“Tourism is already an important industry for the region bringing in 2.6 million visitors a year while unique attractions like Blaenavon World Heritage Site have the potential to become a major attraction of international significance.

“This funding package will provide a catalyst for the wide development of tourism in the region and create a momentum for economic development and entrepreneurship which will be a sound basis for future investment.”