For release 17th November 2011
Independent assessors from Visit Wales assessors have spent a great deal of time talking to visitors and staff, including making telephone enquiries and inspecting the range of services and information available to find out how well the Centres meet visitor expectations. Last week Visit Wales issued glowing reports on both Centres confirming that both visitor attractions had received their ‘Quality Assured Visitor Attraction’ status. The reports made particular reference to customer service which was highly rated at both Centres, demonstrating the National Park Authority’s commitment to its visitors.
This marks the third consecutive year that the National Park Visitor Centre, near Libanus has achieved this status – a strong indication of how much hard work is going on behind the scenes to maintain standards for visitors at this popular venue. This well-loved visitor attraction over looking Pen y Fan is a popular spot for many locals and visitors who enjoy the views, walks, local food and drink and somewhere to pick up the odd souvenir or two. Assessors were full of praise for the Centre and its staff, commenting in the report that a visit to the Mountain Centre is an enjoyable experience that has a strong sense of place and that it provides a focal point for any visitor wishing to find out more about the area and the work of the National Park with very good catering in the Tea Rooms.
This year, the Waterfalls Centre in Pontneddfechan also successfully applied for the coveted Visit Wales status and received many compliments from the assessor. This is the Waterfalls Centre’s first application and the assessor said in his report that the Waterfalls Centre comfortably merits the accreditation and had many interactive displays and features. Summing up his report the assessor stated that the Waterfalls Centre provides a very good starting point for any visitor wishing to find out more about the area and the development of the waterfalls and for enjoying the surrounding walks.
Richard Levy, Visitor Centres Manager for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “Both Centres have done very well to achieve this award. We’re lucky to have a strong team of dedicated, hard-working staff at all our Visitor and Information Centres, and this award recognises their efforts. We’re delighted to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to our Information Centres at Abergavenny and Llandovery, our Country Park at Craig-y-nos and our visitor centres at Pontneddfechan and Libanus, and are proud to have independent commendation of the services we provide.”
Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe, Member for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Member Champion for Visitor Centres said: “These glowing reports from Visit Wales acknowledge in great depth, not only the services we provide at our visitor attractions but also our ability to meet customer and visitor expectations. It recognises all the hard work put into the Centres, so the staff should feel very proud to be commended on their professionalism, dedication and the great wealth of local knowledge they have available to share with our visitors. It is this ability to provide knowledgeable, friendly advice about events and the best places to visit that helps visitors make the most of their stay in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. They deserve many congratulations for their efforts in contributing to this Quality Assured Visitor Attraction status.”
The National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus is open every day 9.30-4.00 (tea rooms open until 4.30) throughout the winter, except Christmas Day. The Waterfalls Centre is open weekends only until Easter from 9.30-3.00.