THE Elan Valley is set to benefit from a new Wales-wide fund supporting organisations to deliver small scale tourism infrastructure improvements.

The busy summer for Wales’ visitor economy has shown the crucial importance of tourism infrastructure in delivering a quality experience for visitors to Powys.

To help organisations plan ahead for future years, ‘Brilliant Basics’ is a new Wales-wide fund supporting public, third sector and not for profit organisations to deliver basic improvements.

A total of 26 projects have been successful in their funding applications for the £2.4 million fund for 2021-2022 – including the Elan Valley as one of three Welsh Water sites.

The Elan Valley, accessed via Rhayader, is hugely popular with cyclists and will see the addition of a changing places unit as part of a project to develop a cycle hub.

The fund will also assist sites in Llyn Brenig, Conwy, which will be used for the development of a waterfall swing; as well as develop outdoor adventures at their Lliw Reservoirs in Swansea, supporting the site to improve access and car park facilities and help to develop an activity station and activity nature trail.

Small scale tourism infrastructure projects were supported from local authorities, national parks and the third sector, all helping to ensure that visitors to Wales have a positive and memorable experience throughout their stay.

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Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “Following the busy summer we’ve had here in Wales, we’ve seen the important part that local tourism amenities have on making a trip a memorable one.

“These facilities often go unnoticed but they are an important part of people’s experiences when they visit Wales and they also benefit those who live in the area. I’m delighted that we’re able to support these organisations to improve the visitor experience in their areas.”

Welsh Water chief executive Peter Perry said: “We’re hugely grateful to the Welsh Government for the valuable support which will help us build on our visitor experience offer at our visitor attractions across Wales.

“Due to the popularity of this summer’s staycation, we have seen a huge increase in visitor numbers at our attraction sites. This has led us to launch new mountain bike tracks at the Elan Valley and introduce water sports at Llyn Brenig and Lliw Reservoirs.

“This funding will now allow us to offer visitors additional benefits which we hope will boost Welsh tourism and entice even more visitors to discover the beauty of the Welsh landscape whilst benefitting from outdoor recreational activities.”