Will the Minister provide an update on what discussions they are having with Cadw about how to attract more visitors to their sites across Wales?
I have regular discussions with Cadw about visitor number and events at sites. In financial year 2022-23 Cadw visitor figures showed an impressive recovery post Covid. Numbers have increased again this year (April 23 to end Dec 23), with sites having welcomed a 2% increase year to date compared with the same period last year.
Cadw runs more than 400 events at its sites each year, from regular seasonal events to flagship high profile events such as Annwyn in Caernarfon, which attracted more than 3,500 visitors in Oct 2023.The Open Doors programme also attracted nearly 40,000 visitors to heritage sites across Wales throughout the month of September 2023.
Cadw also runs targeted marketing campaigns and promotions throughout the year to encourage new and repeat visitors to its sites and to grow its membership scheme, which has nearly 60,000 members and continues to increase each year. Cadw is currently in the planning process for this year’s marketing campaign.