North Wales Tourism aims to reduce car use by encouraging tourists from major cities to use trains and buses to explore the region.
The plan targets people from cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff. These individuals are encouraged to use Transport for Wales trains or Avanti West Coast trains.
The campaign connects trains and buses; TrawsCymru offers long-distance bus routes, while Fflecsi buses provide service on local routes. This integrated approach provides people transport to final destinations, negating the need for personal vehicles.
Buses connect locations such as Wrexham, Betws y Coed, Prestatyn, Pwllheli, Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Barmouth. According to Jim Jones, this saves money, effectively avoiding driving and parking stress.
He emphasizes that trains, buses, walking, and cycling unlock North Wales’ natural beauty. Their campaign leverages social media extensively and incorporates posters on the rail network, also utilizing data on rail travel.
Good train links are already in place, but the challenge lies in accessibility from the station. The question is: how do people reach key attractions without a car? TrawsCymru and Fflecsi solve this, facilitating the final leg of the journey.
People book travel online opting for flexibility through various travel routes; reduced car use potentially allows more visitors, benefiting the environment and turning eco-tourism into reality.
Car parks often overflow during peak times, highlighting the usefulness of this plan. It promotes and shows the ease of train travel, where people can relax; TrawsCymru and Fflecsi buses further assist them as North Wales itself offers a lot to visitors.
North Wales known as the Adventure Capital of Europe, boasts great mountains and coastlines, and conveniently accessible world-class attractions. It’s culture, language, and history are rich, showcasing numerous World Heritage Sites.
Wrexham AFC’s recent success, aided by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has helped tourism. Avanti now serves Wrexham directly, while Transport for Wales also runs trains to Wrexham from Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff.
Everything in North Wales is within close proximity, offering a considerable value for each visit. Raising awareness is crucial to provide more people the opportunity to visit, in alignment with improving sustainable tourism.
Nick Smith from Avanti West Coast emphasizes their role in connecting people to North Wales and praises how trains and buses work cohesively. The newer Evero fleet enhances the travel experience, expressing the company’s commitment to North Wales.
Lee Robinson from Transport for Wales mentioned key destinations are easily and affordably reachable by transit and the latest trains operate throughout North Wales, adding to the comfortable experience.
Ken Skates, a Cabinet Secretary, acknowledges North Wales’ stunning locations. Many visitors look for a way to enjoy the landscape, and with buses and rail connecting effectively, exploring sustainably becomes viable.