3. What is the Welsh Government doing to increase tourism in Islwyn? OAQ53299

Thank you, Rhianon. Our tourism strategy sets out our priorities to support the tourism industry across Wales, including the south-east region. This includes marketing campaigns in the UK and overseas, and capital development funding for new and existing tourism businesses, along with revenue funding for regional projects.

Thank you for that answer. Islwyn contains some of Wales's most stunning natural landscapes, such as the internationally famed Cwmcarn Forest Drive and also the Navigation colliery, and it was announced recently the gateway status of the drive within the Valleys initiative. But, any qualitative international visitor experiences are immeasurably enhanced by attention to detail, and, for many tourists to Wales, the quality of facilities such as basic footpaths, toilets, signage and car parking are integral to that experience. So, it was great news for Wales last week when the Welsh Government announced £2.2 million being offered to 23 projects that will improve that experience for visitors across Wales, especially in these times of austerity. So, Deputy Minister, how can the Welsh Government work with Caerphilly County Borough Council and tourism and visitor organistions across Islwyn to ensure that they are aware of the Valleys experience and can benefit from potential future funding opportunities from the tourism amenity investment support scheme—never more important for our economy at this time and for our place in the world during this looming period of potential instability for Wales?

Thank you very much for drawing attention to the essential importance of basic visitor infrastructure. I can confirm—and I don't need to tell you because you know—that both the environment around Cwmcarn and in particular, the Cwmcarn adventure hub, which I visited also recently, is an ideal location for all forms of outdoor activities, and Caerphilly, as a local authority, is very committed to the development of the tourism offer. The European Union investment here, of course, through the Tourism Attractor Destination programme, will see over £1.8 million invested in that destination. I'm very keen, particularly because of my own background and the type of area I represent, in the co-location of tourism projects, especially adventure tourism, with our historic landscapes, including those that have hosted our valuable but often damaging industrial heritage in the past.

Minister, I heard your spiel—very nice—regarding Cwmcarn forest, which, actually, is in my region. Cwmcarn forest offers visitors a wide range of activities, including walking, fishing, mountain biking and, more than everything else, going with friends and family for barbecues there. It's a wonderful place to go. However, this popular and scenic Cwmcarn Forest Drive still remains closed, since 2014, to cars, which is totally unacceptable. It is only for Natural Resources Wales to cut down thousands of diseased trees. So, what discussions have you undertaken on the effect of this closure on visitor numbers to Cwmcarn forest? And, what discussions have you had with ministerial colleagues to ensure the speedy reopening of this road so that visitors can come and enjoy the breathtaking scenery? The Minister mentioned that the Welsh convention centre is on its way, and, especially after the abolition of the Severn Bridge tolls, we're expecting, in summer, which is only a few months away, an influx of visitors, and this scenic place should be open, not for us, but for the overseas visitors. This is one of the most beautiful places in south-east Wales.

I will undertake to speak with Natural Resources Wales about the management of the Cwmcarn forest. But I have to emphasise that there are very exciting projects located near the Cwmcarn adventure hub, which is part of a £4.6 million Monmouthshire and Brecon canal adventure triangle, which is being promoted by Caerphilly County Borough Council, as well as Torfaen County Borough Council, and there will be a substantial benefit for this investment. This could include an enhancement at Cwmcarn forest for glamping accommodation, infrastructure works to the Crumlin arms—arm; I was thinking of a pub, obviously—to the Crumlin arm of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, and also improvements to trails to the wonderful Twmbarlwm in west Torfaen. All these are under discussion. I'm quite frankly more interested in people getting out of their cars and using our facilities. Of course, people can come in cars, but I would equally like to see people coming along our canal—

Going for a barbecue.

I understand that the Member wishes to offer to organise barbecues in the Cwmcarn forest, and I am certain this would be very attractive to visitors.