Welcome to the home page of the Wales Association of Self-Catering Operators.

WASCO is the representative body for self-catering within Wales and whether you let yourself or through an agent, you will, through WASCO, have a part to play in the future of tourism in Wales.

WASCO welcomes membership from one-cottage owners to the large agencies.
Advances the particular needs of self-catering by working with regional and national bodies, including the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) and Visit Wales (VW).
Supplies a forum for members to exchange views, obtain advice and attend its open meetings.
Communicates to members on relevant matters and current regulations by email "Snippets".
Offers members the chance to advertise on its first-class website.

WASCO is your voice when it matters!

Other benefits of WASCO membership:

• Belong to a network of operators - you will not be alone out there!
• Receive discounted web domain supply/hosting/design
• Benefit from discounted advertising rates with Stilwell's, an independent self-catering publication
• Obtain discounted rates from an industry-specialised insurance broker
• Get advice from a valuation specialist in business rates in the tourism industry
• Benefit from associate membership of the British Hospitality Association with attendant discounts on credit card facilities etc.
• Obtain discounts from a supplier of disability aids.

WASCO's recent achievements on behalf of its members:

• Influencing the harmonisation of the UK's star grading schemes
• Representing the industry in consultations on the minimum standards appropriate for Statutory Registration
• Pressing for radical improvements to www.visitwales.co.uk (VW's website)
• Campaigning for greater equality in the revaluation of business rates
• Obtaining grant aid for members to ease the financial burden of complying with the Disability Discrimination Act
• Reversing the initial exclusion of Wales from the new VisitBritain web site
• Influencing the opinion of Assembly Members on the merger of the WTB into the Welsh Assembly Government
• Pressing VW for a new, more accurate method of collecting visitor statistics
• Providing regular feedback on the current state of business, through the WTA, to the Assembly, VW, VisitBritain and the Bank of England

WASCO expresses opinions and inform itsmembers on these and other more down-to-earth matters in its monthly email newsletter. Both behind the scenes and in the public eye, council members of WASCO are attending meetings, speaking at conferences and generally beating the drum on behalf of our industry. Consequently, WASCO influences decisions that ultimately affect your business.

WASCO is your voice when it matters.

Please join us and add your voice to ours!

Are you ready to join?

You DO NOT have to be Visit Wales quality graded to be a WASCO member, BUT you will only be able to advertise on the members' website if you ARE quality graded.

For a WASCO MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM that you can print, complete and post to WASCO click a link  below

Membership MS Word Form     OR        Membership PDF Form

Advertise on www.walescottages.co.uk

You have to be a member AND Visit Wales Quality Graded (stars) to advertise on our members' website www.walescottages.co.uk

You get many benefits including links, stats, late availability, special offers and a 10 picture slideshow...all for a small subsidised annual fee. Easy to build or we will do it for you for a small fee (see form for details)

For a WASCO WEBSITE APPLICATION FORM that you can print, complete and post to WASCO click a link below

Website MS Word Form     or      Website PDF  Form

With best wishes
Graham Tayler - Chairman, WASCO

Go to www.walescottages.co.uk - to view WASCO's website where members advertise their properties.