Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority have signed a partnership which aims to make tourism more beneficial to the people of the area.

This week, both authorities have formalised their commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable tourism for the future that will benefit the people, environment, language and culture of Gwynedd and Eryri.

This follows years of collaboration in the field - both before the pandemic and during the Covid period.

Figures show that pre-Covid, the tourism industry brought £1.35 billion into the local economy with 7.81 million visitors annually and 18,200 people employed.

But concerns have been raised over wage levels in the sector, which are very low compared to other areas and the county’s over-reliance on tourism.

Concerns were also raised over the imbalance of tourism in some parts of Gwynedd.

Leader of Gwynedd Council, Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, said: "Any visitor economy must ensure that the people and communities of Gwynedd are central to it and benefit from it.

"I am delighted that the council and the park have agreed a joint vision for sustainable tourism for the future, with a particular emphasis on our language, culture and heritage.

"We want to ensure that the visitor economy benefits our communities and protects our environment and wildlife, while maximising the benefits to Gwynedd’s communities and businesses.

"The last 18 months have highlighted the need for us as authorities to continue our joint working to ensure that our area benefits from tourism - on our terms.

"What is key is that we are able to secure truly sustainable tourism and that the area is in no way losing out from the visitor economy. We want to see local people benefit from good sustainable jobs in the field all year round.”

Cllr Wyn Jones, Chairman of Snowdonia National Park Authority added: “It is very important to see local authorities working together to protect our communities by nurturing our economy and local businesses.

“This work will conserve the core features that define the National Park through its wonderfully unique qualities.

“The authority and Gwynedd Council are committed to doing the best for the people who live and work in the area by promoting sustainable tourism which also in turn addresses the effects of climate change.”

As part of ensuring a shared vision of a sustainable visitor economy for Gwynedd and Eryri, the authorities are staging a virtual conference on 30 November. It will welcome representatives from local communities, businesses working in the field and experts on sustainable tourism.

The conference will include presentations by international tourism expert Professor Terry Stevens, along with a representative from the Isle of Arran to highlight how to balance community, environment and the visitor economy.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Gwynedd Council and the Snowdonia National Park on a sustainable visitor economy confirms that the authorities will work together to realise a joint vision that will ensure a "A Visitor Economy for the benefit of the people, environment, language and culture of Gwynedd and Eryri”.

The principles are based on celebrating, respecting and protecting our communities, language, culture and heritage; maintaining and respecting our environment and ensuring that the advantages for Gwynedd and Eryri’s communities are more than any disadvantages.