Q1: Has Staying in Wales taken over from Taste of Wales? A1: Yes, in that the Taste of Wales scheme closed at the end of last year and Staying in Wales was launched in January with sponsorship from the Welsh Development Agency who ran the old scheme.
Q2: How is Staying in Wales different from Taste of Wales, or is it the same? A2: No, it's not the same. In addition to good eating, Staying in Wales uses festivals and events, accredited attractions, award-winning beaches, arts and crafts, outdoor activities and travel opportunities to attract visitors to Wales and fill overnight accommodation. Taste of Wales was first and foremost a food brand that encouraged hospitality providers to buy local produce. Filling overnight accommodation was not its prime objective.
Q3: Are you the same as Stay in Wales?
A3: No. We are Staying in Wales Limited, promoting Welsh hospitality to UK and worldwide markets through StayingInWales.com and now Wales.info.
Q4: Didn't the WTB take over Taste of Wales? A4: No. The Taste of Wales scheme was discontinued at the end of 2003. The two main criteria for former Taste of Wales members to take part in the new Staying in Wales scheme is, however, that all accommodation has to be WTB-accredited and registered with VisitWales.com.
Q5: Is the Staying in Wales website meant to replace the Taste of Wales website? A5: No. The Taste of Wales website was entirely food-oriented and although many of the listed members offered accommodation, this was on the back of the food offer. With the discontinuation of the TOW scheme, the website has been closed.
Q6: Is the WDA now suggesting former TOW members list on this site as well as the WTB?
A6: No. As a Government agency the WDA are not allowed to do this do this this but they are sponsoring the new scheme and made a statement of support in the press release.
Q7: Is Staying in Wales accredited by the WDA or is this a private venture?
A7: Staying in Wales is a private venture serving private sector businesses accredited by the WTB.
Q8: I'm already a member of This Week Wales and other schemes, and have a microsite and a website. Where do we go from here? A8: This Week Wales worked with the Welsh Development Agency and Taste of Wales members to help improve Internet communications. Staying in Wales has inherited the innovation, mapping and microsite technology that was developed.
Q9: I already have a listing and microsite. What happens now?
A9: Your current listing and microsite will stay live until 31st December. You simply need to resubscribe to the Special Membership Package of your choice at the end of each year for the following calendar year commencing 1st January.
Q10: The information in my listing and microsite is out-of-date. What must I do?
A10: You need to go to http://www.stayinginwales.com/partners/myaccount.asp and use your Username and Password (see above) to login and make any changes you wish, with the exception of your star grading, which we have to verify with WTB first.
Q11: Will the order of the listings be shuffled around from time to time, to give everyone a chance? A11: Yes. But there will always be an order of sorts to keep the network user-friendly. There will also be creative campaigns for accommodation defined by star-grading, price, dogs welcome and other categories. Subscribers will be kept fully-informed of these at all times.
Q12: When will marketing commence this year (2006)?
A12: Marketing has already started at http://Wales.info.
Q13: When will the Radio Times be used this year (2006)?
A13: May.
Q14: How will Staying in Wales work with the online search engines?
A14: We are registered with the major search engines and are currently working with Wales.info and the new range of beta products from Google’s to significantly increase the number of enquiries our Members can expect to receive.
Q15: Who do I make the cheque out to?
A15: Staying in Wales Limited.
Q16: Can you invoice me?
A16: Yes. You will receive a VAT invoice as a receipt, accompanied by your new Username and
Password.
Q17: Will the scheme be primarily promoting accommodation?
A17: The scheme is designed to attract staying visitors to Wales and fill accommodation.
Q18: How much of the marketing will be naming individual members of the scheme?
A18: None. The scheme is a joint-marketing scheme where all members benefit equally in terms of the exposure they receive.
Q19: Can we fill in the Registration Form online?
A19: Yes. It is possible to register online but we chose not to include the option on the form that's been circulated.
Q20: Can you put a link to my website?
A20: Yes. Your Microsite does this automatically.
Q21: Can I put a link to the Staying in Wales website.
A21: Ordinarily yes. Please email details to info@stayinginwales.com.
Q22: Is it compulsory to use Welsh produce on our restaurant menu?
A22: No, it isn't. But part of the Staying in Wales experience is, of course, distinctive Welsh food and drink where this is available. Some of the marketing and promotion will focus on this.
Q23: If we are a restaurant with rooms, can we be listed under the Restaurant section as well?
A23: Yes. Staying in Wales accommodation members with restaurants open to the public can register these separately in the Restaurants section at half the normal rate. Please email your request to info@stayinginwales.com.
Q24: Can you show our Welcome Host award?
A24: Yes. If you prefer to use the Welcome Host logo for your listing you can do so. It will also appear on your Microsite with any other accolades, accreditation, and affiliations you have.
Q25: What if we're not on the VisitWales website (in spite of our efforts to get on it)?
A25: All businesses subscribing to the new scheme that are not already registered with VisitWales will be helped to do so if they have encountered difficulties in the past. Meanwhile, assistance is currently available 9am-9pm daily, seven days a week, on the VisitWales Helpline at 08708 300 301, with calls charged at national rates. Trained operators take callers through each step and also advise of 1-day training courses available in callers' areas if preferred.
Q26: If we are a visitor attraction with accommodation, can we be listed under the
Accommodation section as well?
A26: Yes. Staying in Wales attraction members with accommodation can register their accommodation
separately in the Accommodation section at half the normal rate. Please email your request to info@stayinginwales.com.
Q27: What exactly is De Minimis Aid and why do we have to sign a form regarding this? A27: Under EU rules to prevent unfair competition, there is a limit (subject to some exclusions) to the amount of support that businesses can receive from the State. At £62,000 over a 3-year period, this is unlikely to affect individual Staying in Wales members but we still have to account to the funding bodies.
Q28: My phone number on the website is incorrect. What should I do? A28: You can use your Username and Password to Login at http://www.stayinginwales.com/partners/myaccount.asp and make any corrections needed.
Q29: I own several cottages and have paid for one of them. Do I have to pay for the others? A29: Only if you want each one to have a Microsite.
Q30: We are an agency and one of our property owners has subscribed to the Staying in Wales scheme. Could you replace the owners name and address with ours as the agency is responsible for everything? A30: No. Microsites have to represent individual properties and their owners otherwise the location mapping won't work properly.
Q31: What are the subscription rates to Staying in Wales / Aros yng Nghymru? A31: Basic membership is free and there are Special Membership Packages to help increase enquiry rates and bookings starting at £39 (inc VAT). Please see Members for full details.
