WASCO's Home Page &
Introduction by Anwen Jones - Chair of WASCO:

Hello!

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 the Wales Tourist Board (WTB).
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.

and

WASCO can point members in the direction of grants available through WTB, including a new WASCO-exclusive access grant offering up to 50% of the cost of improving facilities for disabled guests. Click here to send an e-mail requesting further details about the Access grant.

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 (WTB'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 the WTB 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, WTB, VisitBritain and the Bank of England

WASCO expresses opinions and inform itsmembers on these and other more down-to-earth matters in our emailed Snippets.
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!

With best wishes
Anwen Jones - Chair, WASCO

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