Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:46 pm on 15 June 2022.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 1:46, 15 June 2022

So, the Member is right to point out the opportunities that come from the WWE event. Whether you are a childhood or continuing supporter of the sports entertainment world—. I think they'd recognise it isn't a genuine sport in the way that we'd all recognise, but, actually, it's an enormous economic event and opportunity for Wales because of the significant reach it has within the US market, and the US market is one of Visit Wales's priority international markets. It's where we've got lots of work going on, and I pointed out that, actually, having the USA in our group in the world cup is really positive for us, in any event. That's one the reasons why I took the decision to support the event financially to make sure that it did come to Wales. And, yes, we are looking at not just what's happened recently but how to make sure that event is as successful as possible for all of the visitors, as well as the people performing—we want those people to come back again and again. Actually, part of the point about that event was it wasn't just an event for Cardiff. We looked at other events and other parts of the way that the event will be promoted, which will focus on other parts of Wales, and some of the second-tier events that take place around it as well are taking place in other parts of the country as well. So, we are genuinely thinking about how each event has a wider impact, and we do then undertake an assessment, post event, to try to understand the direct economic benefits as well. That's something that we discuss with events that we support directly as well, so I'm happy to give the Member that reassurance as well.