Carwyn Jones and the Temple of Doom
A weekly political sketch on the stand up comedy that is First Minister's Questions
Major boost for disability sport in Wales
New figures show more disabled people are taking up sport in Wales nearly a year after the London Olympics and Paralympics
The Assembly's Got Talent
A weekly sketch on the political goings on at the Assembly
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Lions tour: North fit for Saturday's Australia Test
British and Irish Lions winger George North has been passed fit for Saturday's first Test against Australia after recovering from his hamstring problem.
North was a doubt for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium after sustaining the injury a week ago, but assistant coach Rob Howley says he has fully recovered.
"George came through a fitness test this morning and I've never seen him in better shape. He'll be available and that's a big boost for us,"
Wales needs to go upmarket to attract tourists
by Ian LangWales needs to become a 'luxury destination' with more spas and heritage hotels. That's part of a strategy to boost tourism here. It's hoped visitors will be attracted from across Europe and America. Marketing campaigns will also be stepped across England and here in Wales.
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Take tourism out of government hands says hotelier
The Welsh Government says it'll target Ireland, Germany and the US but mainly Britain to boost tourism in Wales. It's launched a new strategy today but David Williams of the Hotel & Restaurant Association in Llandudno says tourism should be taken out of government's hands.
Cliff fall death climber named
A man who died after falling while climbing at Anglesey in north Wales has been named as 48-year-old Vaughan Richard Holme, of Horsham in West Sussex.
A 21-year-old Hampshire man who died in the same incident is yet to be named by the North Wales Coroner.
What is tourism worth to Wales?
A strategy to boost the amount of cash tourists bring to Wales by 10% over the next seven years has been launched by the Welsh Government.
One way to bring in more revenue says the report is to market Wales as a luxury destination, but what is tourism worth to Wales?
- In 2012, there were 9.6 million overnight trips to Wales by GB residents who spent £1,588m
- North Wales had the most number of GB tourists and SE Wales the most business trips
- Wales attracted 879,000 international visitors spending £328 million during 2011
- The four top generating countries were Ireland, France, Germany and USA
- In total there were 10.6 million visitors to Wales spending nearly £ 2.1 billion during 2011.
Source: Welsh Government
Wales should be seen as 'luxury' tourist destination
There needs to be a new direction for tourism in Wales says the country's Economic Minister.
In a report out today Edwina Hart says the strategy to attract people to Wales over the next seven years should focus on luxury destinations.
The vision she says is to work with "iconic, high quality, reputation-changing products and events. There will be a focus on more luxury and branded hotels; more well-being facilities such as spas; more heritage hotels that utilise historic and distinctive buildings."
There also needs to be all year round attractions, activities and cultural experiences and more unusual and distinctive products if the target of 10% grow in the tourism industry is realised says the report 'Partnership for Growth'.
Most tourists to Wales come from the UK and the Welsh Government says marketing will be increased in London and South East Midlands and Yorkshire, as well as within Wales itself for the first time.
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Decline in shopper numbers "appears to be slowing"
– John Munro, Director of the Welsh Retail Consortium“It’s disappointing to see footfall continuing to fall, but we can take some comfort from the fact that the decline in shopper numbers appears to be slowing. Retailers will be crossing their fingers for better weather over the coming months and for consumer confidence to continue to build. This, in turn, should encourage more of us to venture out on shopping trips.”
Shopper numbers down
In May the number of shoppers was down 1.1% according to the British Retail Consortium.
Across the UK the number was down 0.7%.
New approach for £5 billion tourism industry
The Welsh tourism industry will hear this morning what the government's plans are to increase visitor numbers, drive up earnings and deliver value for money to the Welsh economy. It's estimated that tourism is worth £5 billion to Wales.
Today Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, will publish the Welsh Government vision for the industry for the next several years.
In 2012, there were 9.6 million overnight trips to Wales from other parts of the UK. 62% of these visitors came for a holiday, 25% to visit friends or relatives and 13% on business. UK visitors spent £1,588 million in Wales last year.
Visitors to Wales from abroad spent £328 million during 2011, with the Republic of Ireland, France, Germany and USA bringing the most tourists.
New cash for credit unions in Wales
Almost £2m is being given to Wales' credit unions in a drive to get more people who are experiencing financial difficulties to join a union rather than using payday loan companies. Credit unions will have to set out how they'll increase their membership in order to access the cash.
Poverty Minister Huw Lewis says he's concerned about the rise of payday lenders on Welsh high streets. The government says it's on target to achieve 6% of people in Wales being members of a credit union by 2020.
Credit unions are not-for-profit financial organisations set up for the purpose of ethical savings and borrowing and provide an alternative to traditional banks and high-rate loan providers.
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