A HUGE cash injection should help attract more visitors to Dwyfor and Meirionnydd, it has been claimed.

The Welsh minister for tourism and AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, announced an investment of just over £500,000 for the tourism industry in Wales at Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau.

Gwynedd projects which will be implemented in 2018/19 include signage and town trails in Harlech, improvement to car parks and public amenities in Harlech, upgrading coastal access amenities, investing in public amenities in key destinations, upgrading tourist information kiosks in two National Trust car parks at Porthor and Porthdinllaen, and extending a category blue mountain bike trail in Coed y Brenin.

The projects have been funded by the Tourism Amenity Investment Support (TAIS) fund and backed by Visit Wales and the aim is to develop quality sustainable tourism facilities that adds value to visitor experience whilst delivering innovation and a sense of place.

Lord Elis-Thomas said: “The Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme is a great way for us to help improve the tourist sector and enhance local facilities and amenities.

“Quite often they receive little attention, but they provide the basis for visitor experiences in Wales and contribute towards people’s impression of the country.

“Visitors expect that every aspect of their visit is of the highest standard, which includes accommodation, information, toilets and car parks.

“Managing tourist destinations is key if we are to continue to provide the highest standard of tourist experience according to our ambitious strategy.

“This funding contributes towards creating better destinations, and I’m very glad to have been able to get a taste of the projects which are in the pipeline.”See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday