A project that aims to celebrate Powys by celebrating its culture and heritage, has been launched by the county council.

Powys County Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Team secured £30,000 to launch a project aimed at injecting new life into the county’s cultural tourism offer.

Now consultancy company Anian, which has experience of tourism development in Wales and internationally, has been brought in to deliver the project, which is being paid for using Government levelling-up cash.

The company will look will research the county’s outstanding cultural assets and stories, to prioritise ideas, as well as the practises in cultural tourism within other destinations to inspire projects.

Cllr David Selby, the council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “The Powys Cultural Tourism Study is looking to deliver a project that will help to tell stories of cultural or historical significance from the county in a vibrant and engaging way.

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“We hope it will create interest and build pride in these unique events, making them more accessible to local communities, for educational purposes, and to visitors who are keen to immerse themselves in the county’s sense of place. It should also provide a platform for showcasing Powys’ contemporary living culture.”

Anian will now be engaging with those working in the tourism and cultural sectors, as well as community groups and young people, to get their views on the strengths and weaknesses of the current offer in Powys, while seeking ideas for initiatives that could boost the area’s cultural tourism.

A three-year action plan will then be launched based on the first stage of the project, outlining opportunities for new visitor experiences and marketing campaigns for the area.

Mari Stevens, Director of Anian added: “Today’s visitors are looking for unique and authentic experiences when in a destination, and a key priority will be to develop ideas that celebrate, support, and sustain local communities.

“The project team believes that the area’s depth of heritage, balanced with its unique creative and green offer could make it stand-out as a cultural destination.”