Representatives of attractions located across mid Wales have had a meeting to share ideas on how to attract more visitors to the region.

The meeting at Powis Castle, a National Trust property in Welshpool, was organised by MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing 550 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd.

The informal network group was suggested by Emma Thompson, general manager of Powis Castle and a MWT Cymru director, at a MWT Cymru members’ meeting held at Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, near Newtown.

Represented at the first meeting were the Vale of Rheidol and Talyllyn railways, King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Corris Craft Centre and Corris Mine Explorers, Gregynog Hall, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Newtown Textile Museum, Portmeirion, Broneirion, Llandinam, Powis Castle and the Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth.

Mrs Thompson said Powis Castle was keen to collaborate with other attractions to attract more visitors to mid Wales and to work with the local population. The region had a very family friendly and diverse offering for visitors, she said.

Stuart Williams, Talyllyn Railway’s general manager, said it was important that attractions ensured that visitors knew what to do while they were visiting the region.

MWT Cymru’s chief executive Val Hawkins said that research had been undertaken to discover why people visited mid Wales. This has enabled MWT to focus on key themes and develop a new image style to promote the region.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday