A tourism project aimed at attracting more visitors to Cardiff has been shortlisted for a major international tourism award.
听has been shortlisted by the听British Guild of Travel Writers听for the award for 鈥Best UK & Ireland Tourism Project鈥听in the听BGTW International Tourism Awards 2023.
Partnered by Sri Lanka Tourism, these prestigious awards recognise excellence in tourism projects in the UK and across the world; members of the BGTW shortlist the projects which they have experienced, and which听they believe deserve wider recognition.听During August 2023, all of the nominated tourism projects were voted on by the members of the BGTW.
听is听a unique initiative aimed at promoting independent hospitality businesses in the heart of Cardiff. Since its launch just over a year ago, it has successfully generated more than听拢34,000听in revenue for local and exclusively independent restaurants and bars in Cardiff city centre.
Developed by local PR consultant and wine enthusiast听, the听Cardiff Wine Passport听allows supporters to sample Cardiff鈥檚 vibrant culinary scene; they buy a passport online, then exchange passport stamps for glasses of wine at a curated selection of locally owned businesses – an optional food pairing can also be added at the time of redemption.听By encouraging Cardiff residents and visitors to explore local gems, the听Cardiff Wine Passport听has become a catalyst for increased footfall and revenue for the participating venues.
The Cardiff Wine Passport听was independently nominated by travel writer and BGTW member听, who hails from Newport and now lives in London. Commenting on the project, he said:
鈥淎s a food, wine and travel writer, I鈥檓 always looking for innovative initiatives to showcase destination and support local businesses. The Cardiff Wine Passport is a joyous celebration of small business, enterprise, sustainable tourism 颅颅鈥 and exceptional wine! I鈥檓 delighted that it has been recognised by the members of the BGTW as an outstanding example of an original tourism project.鈥澨
Stuart Render, joint chair of the听, and the organisation鈥檚 awards director, says:
“Each year our members nominate tourism projects and initiatives that they have visited and feel deserve wider notice. Being shortlisted as a finalist is not only an achievement in its own right but also recognition of the important role the tourism project plays in attracting visitors and boosting the visitor economy.鈥
Cardiff Wine Passport听founder Jane said,
鈥The Cardiff Wine Passport is really just a testament to three of my favourite things 鈥 showing off my home city, supporting brilliant independent businesses, and finding good excuses to go for a great glass of wine. To bring those together and end up shortlisted for a major tourism award is quite surreal. I鈥檓 chuffed to bits.鈥
The winners of the BGTW International Tourism Awards will be announced later this year at the BGTW Annual Gala Awards, which take place in central London on 5th November.听For more info, see听.
听FOR听Cardiff听initially helped听the听Cardiff听Wine Passport听to launch with a grant from its听City Ambition Fund. For more info, see听.