Wales minister Gillan visits Betws-y-Coed

Sep 2 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

A TOURISM hub for North Wales has potential – that’s the message by the Secretary of State for Wales this week after a whistle-stop tour of some of the regions top tourist attractions.

As well as visiting the National Slate Museum in Llanberis and Oriel Mostyn Gallery in Llandudno, Cheryl Gillan stopped off at Tree Top Adventure high ropes course in Betws-y-Coed for a tour.

Located on Llanrwst Road, Tree Top’s opened in 2007 and provides a high level adventurous journey through the trees that involves negotiating a series of obstacles. The company run courses especially designed for children as well as courses for individuals and corporate business events.

Although the MP didn’t have a go on the high ropes course herself, she did have a look round and admired the 100foot power fan obstacle.

“One thing I am very keen on is encouraging tourism and I am very sad that the Welsh Assembly Government have not included it in their Economic targets.

“Tree Tops is just a fantastic place. Seeing what Sean has invested in the facility and the potential it has for expansion is an inspiration.

“This is a private enterprise, a local business bringing in tourists to the area and he has ensured it is sustainable by using local products to build it and having its own water hole.”

The Secretary of State for Wales said she was impressed with plans to make North Wales an adventure capital to rival Scotland and the Lake District with the creation of a central tourism hub in Betws-y-Coed.

She added: “We talked about long term plans for encouraging tourism, corporate tax will be coming down by 1pence a year and a smaller business tax regime down by 20%.

“North Wales has got a great deal of potential and has to be nurtured, there is something magical here for everyone and Tree Top Adventure proves that.”

After the visit TT Adventure director Sean Taylor added: “It was a positive visit and Cheryl Gillan was really into the idea of the tourism hub, but the government have to see that in order for the natural growth of Tree Tops and tourism in the area businesses like mine need the necessary permissions to expand. We had to turn people away in August because our car park isn’t big enough to cope.”