Your chance to become a North Wales tourism ambassador

* Paul Hughes is one of those who have a tourism ambassador.

A scheme providing people with training and knowledge about tourism in North Wales is proving popular.

With over 2,000 people signed up, there are over 1,350 who have become Ambassadors for at least one of the regions in Wales - including Denbighshire Tourism Ambassadors - and this continues to grow.

The Denbighshire scheme offers 12 online training modules on a variety of themes including walking, cycling, towns, history, arts, coast, Welsh language and food tourism. 

There are three levels of awards – bronze, silver and gold, depending on the number of modules completed.

Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We know continuous learning can have a positive impact on people’s lives. Whether you are looking to learn more about the area, improve job prospects or meet new people, becoming a Denbighshire Ambassador is a great way to start the year. 

"The scheme aims to deepen people's knowledge and understanding of the area as well as giving them the opportunity to attend events and visit some of our key sites across the county.”

Denbighshire was the first to launch an online scheme of its kind in Wales. 

It’s totally free and open to everyone. Residents, volunteers and local community groups are particularly encouraged to become Ambassadors to learn more about the special qualities of Denbighshire. 

Resident Wendy Davies said: “After booking 2 weeks off annual leave I discovered I had to self-isolate for 7 of them. Bored with watching the television, I couldn’t concentrate on books and being as I couldn’t leave my house for my usual hobbies of walking, gym, cycling, I decided to do the online modules. I loved it. 

"The videos and information is mind blowing, so much knowledge and information has been put into it. It really opened my eyes to looking at Denbighshire in a different light. Looking forward to moving onto gold level.”

Paul Hughes, walking group leader for the Vale of Clwyd Mind, commented: “I chose to become a Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador because it gives you more information, it’s always handy to have more knowledge when you’re leading people on walks and taking people around the different areas. The course is free as well which always helps. And you can do it at home over a couple of evenings a week, so it’s brilliant. You can’t have enough knowledge as they say, it’s always nice to learn something new.”

Richard Hughes, from Bracdy Holidays in Llandyrnog and Gold Tourism Ambassador, said: “Many of our visitors to Bracdy Campsite have never stayed in the area before. They are amazed by the beauty of The Clwydian Range behind the site and the stunning views across the Vale of Clwyd. 

"We’re here to answer questions about Denbighshire and so to improve our local knowledge we’ve become Ambassadors. We love our visitors to ask questions and we like to have the answers and with 2000 years of historic events to talk about, the wide open spaces and the bustling market towns there’s always plenty going on.”

Snowdonia National Park and Conwy County Borough Council have since launched similar schemes and Gwynedd, Flintshire, Anglesey and Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site are busy preparing to launch their schemes during 2022. Ambassadors are actively encouraged to sign up for all courses to extend their learning about North Wales and be part of a wider community.

* For more information on the scheme and to sign-up please visit www.ambassador.wales