UKinbound has confirmed that its next Annual Convention will take place in Cardiff, from 7th – 9th February 2018. 

Following the success of this year’s Annual Convention in Plymouth, Cardiff will welcome over 250 UKinbound members for three days of insightful debates, addresses from keynote speakers and networking opportunities in and around Cardiff. There will also be a major b2b workshop and a black-tie Gala Dinner, at which the winners of the Association’s annual Awards for Excellence will be announced.

Supported by Visit Wales, a series of familiarisation trips will showcase the country’s diverse tourism offering, including a visit to North Wales, listed as one of the top regions to visit in the world in 2017 by Lonely Planet Traveller, and home to a variety of new adventure attractions such as Surf Snowdonia.

UKinbound’s chief executive officer, Deirdre Wells OBE said: “We are delighted to announce Cardiff as the host city of our Annual Convention next year. Our ambition is to support inbound tourism business across the UK and tourism in Wales is going from strength to strength.”

Wells continues “The city has an exceptional tourism offering, home to superb shopping, innovative architecture, historic buildings, and more urban green spaces than any other city in the UK. As the hosts of The UEFA Champions League Final – the single biggest sporting event of 2017 –  Cardiff is likely to attract more inbound visitors and we look forward to further raising the profile of Europe’s youngest capital city.”

Commenting on the partnership, Welsh Government Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said: ”I’m delighted that Wales has been chosen as the convention destination for 2018 and we look forward to working with Cardiff Convention Bureau to give all delegates a fantastic experience and insight into what our country has to offer.  2018 is Wales’ Year of the Sea which will give us the perfect opportunity to celebrate our connections with the sea and our magnficent coastline.  During the Year of the Sea we’re also looking forward to welcoming the Volvo Ocean Race to Cardiff –  the first time for the  event to visit Wales and the first time in a decade for it to visit the UK.”

“Tourism in Wales is in a strong position and the overseas figures for the first nine months of 2016 show that Wales saw a 12% increase in the number of visitors and a 9% increase in spend.  We look forward to working with UKinbound to further increase Wales’ share of overseas visitors coming to the UK.”