Wales Activity Tourism Organisation

WATO is a forum that has being piloted to link existing organisations in Wales’ three National Parks, with the aim of sharing ‘best practice’ across the outdoor sector. The Welsh Activity Tourism Organisation (WATO) functions regionally through Snowdonia-Active, Brecon Beacons Tourism and the South Wales Outdoor Activity Provider’s Groups, and Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group. WATO’s overall objective is to improve the delivery of activity tourism, thereby leading to increased business for the sector and better access to outdoor recreation locally.

Visit Wales sponsors the joint forum. The key aims include: working with Visit Wales on improving the quality of their data on outdoor businesses across Wales, reviewing imagery used by them and ensuring that outdoor businesses are aware of the marketing opportunities through Visit Wales. Increasinlgy the group is tackling wider issues that impact on the delivery of outdoor activities both in Wales specifically but in the UK nationally.

Snowdonia-Active’s Chris Wright said: “The National Parks are all very different and there is an obvious opportunity for each region to learn from the other, while respecting regional diversity.” WATO is chaired by Paul Donovan, Paul is a dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic individual who strives for perfection and excellence. As an outdoor activist, Paul is a well qualified, experienced and competent canoeist, climber and mountaineer (a BCU aspirant Level 5 Canoeing Coach; an MLT Summer and Winter Mountain Leader, a MLTUK International Mountain Leader and aspirant Mountaineering Instructor[MIA]).

Punch Maughan of BBT and Gary Evans, the SWOAPG coordinator, attend the WATO meetings for the Brecon Beacons and South Wales area. Please click here for more information on SWOAPG