North Wales countryside show set to inject £12m into the local economy
26th July 2023
Building on last year’s success, a two-day event celebrating the countryside is expected to generate a major boost for the North Wales economy, with record-breaking sales of £12 million being forecast.
John Islwyn Jones from Pen y Bryn Falconry performing at last year’s Welsh Game Fair.
Organised for the first time last year in association with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the inaugural Welsh Game Fair was a sweeping success attracting an impressive 10,000 visitors.
Taking place on the weekend of 9th and 10th September, this year’s show is set to draw double the crowds and will once again be held at the beautiful Faenol Estate near Bangor.
A range of programmes will cover everything from angling and axemen to conservation, shooting and wildlife, all against the backdrop of Faenol’s magnificent 500 acres overlooking the Menai Straits.
James Gower, chief executive of Stable Events which organises the Welsh Game Fair, said visitors can look forward to seeing even more attractions at this year’s event, which is set to bring a positive impact on the region’s economy.
“While we do expect many day visitors, the Game Fair will also attract people who come for the whole weekend and stay in the area and also plenty of trade customers as well,” he said.
According to Mr Gower, the average spend at the event is forecasted to be around £600, with lots of opportunities for producers to pick up large orders from trade customers.
The potential of the event to generate revenue for local businesses was further highlighted by a study conducted by Bangor University analysing the impact of the first Welsh Game Fair. Alongside business done at the show, visitors spent £300,000 in the local area, with more than 55% staying overnight in hotels, campsites or in caravans.
In addition, organisers spent nearly £130,000 with Welsh contractors in staging the event which also provided a showcase for Welsh food and drink producers.
Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, believes hosting large-scale events like the Welsh Game Fair is key to attracting international visitors to the region and driving up the local economy.
“The Welsh Game Fair is all about rural pursuits and the rural economy here in North Wales is so important to us that bit will pull people in from all over the UK and internationally as well.
“Events like these attract people who want to come and stay for a few nights and spend some money while they’re here.
“It also gives North Wales plenty of profile and that is so important in bringing people back and encouraging others to visit as well,” he added.
Jonathan Williams-Ellis, chair of Attractions Snowdonia and Snowdonia 360, agrees the event will help extend and strengthen the tourism season in North Wales, which will have a knock-on effect on the region’s economy.
“North Wales very much needs an event of this magnitude and I believe that it sits perfectly into the calendar after the Royal Welsh, Anglesey and Flint and Denbigh agricultural shows,” he said.
