Representing providers of Outdoor Adventurous Activities in South Wales and the Brecon Beacons
SWOAPG_admin Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation (WATO) has released the attached statement summarising the latest guidance for outdoor providers, following the changes announced by the Welsh Government for the next 2 weeks. The statement includes a key clarification from the Welsh Government that “some outdoor activities by professional providers with groups of professional clients, such as some … Read more
You may not have seen or had time to have read this recent document about the full opening / return to England’s schools in September. It specifically has a section on Educational Visits (about two thirds of the way through), and as it is designed to clarify ahead of next term how schools can operate … Read more
On Thursday 2 July, a workshop with the adventure sector in Wales was held on the ‘Pathway to Recovery’, hosted by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and supported by the Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation and Visit Wales. The workshop highlighted the most up-to-date guidance from Welsh Government and the Outdoor Alliance while providing an opportunity for … Read more
We have been asked by Powys County Council to circulate the following message to SWOAPG Members – please reply by midday 3 July direct to Sian Barnes sian.barnes@powys.gov.uk copied to Lucy Bevan lucy.bevan@powys.gov.uk: “The Council has been offered the opportunity to bid for funding, to build a programme of summer holiday activities for vulnerable children, … Read more
With apologies for the short notice, this would be a useful workshop for SWOAPG Members to attend and share ‘best practice’ for delivering activities during Covid-19 recovery. Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group is hosting a Zoom workshop on Thursday 2 July, 10am-12pm for adventure activity sector businesses and instructors to learn about the most current guidance … Read more
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on Friday a Start-Up Grant to support new small / micro businesses dealing with the severe impact of Coronavirus – which may be of value to outdoor providers who have not been eligible for other schemes to date. The fund will be worth £5m initially with flexibility for the future. … Read more
Natural Resource Wales has produced a revised version of the Countryside Code for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic to strengthen responsible behaviour messages in Wales: If you would like to use the Code on your website etc. you will find a host of pictures, animations and videos here.
Following the First Minister’s announcement last week that travel restrictions may be lifted on 6 July, SWOAPG has sent the attached letter asking for more certainty around this as well as clarification on whether the 2m social distancing and two-household restrictions will be relaxed anytime soon – and for reassurance that our sector will continue … Read more
Following announcements by the Welsh First Minister on 19 June, the majority of the Brecon Beacons National Park (but not the Central Beacons, eastern Fforest Fawr or Waterfall Country) is now open for safe local use (within 5 miles of your home). The sites that remain closed (see map and list below and here) are closed … Read more
WATO (Wales Adventure Tourism Association) has issued the following statement containing additional clarification from Welsh Government, applicable until 6 July when more changes are anticipated for adventure tourism. This clarifies that professional instructors may travel more than 5 miles to work, so might enable some of you to do more with individuals or single households … Read more