With the Rugby World Cup around the corner, fans will be preparing to head out to Japan to support the Wales team at the event that kicks off on September 20.
Wales is known for its rugby prowess and, as we head to the World Cup, businesses across the country will be seeking to benefit from the exposure that will come from the Welsh rugby team competing on the global stage, and taking Wales’ name to all corners of the globe during the championship.
At FSB Wales, we’ve often made a case for how large-scale events that take place in Wales can impact positively upon local economies, as well as benefit local small businesses.
We’ve seen this borne out through the Champions League Final, and the promotion of Swansea City AFC and Cardiff City FC.
With the Welsh rugby team taking our Wales brand to the world as they compete in Japan, it is a unique opportunity for our economy and for our businesses to benefit.
Earlier this year, Welsh Government undertook a Food and Drink Wales Trade Development visit to Tokyo with several businesses including Aber Falls Distillery, Gower Brewery Company, Hybu Cig Cymru, Purple Moose Brewery and Welsh Lady Preserves.
This was the first time that Welsh Government took a trade delegation to Japan, and aimed to open up a new trading destination for Welsh businesses.
The first ever commercial export of Welsh lamb arrived in Tokyo earlier in 2019, following the beef and lamb import ban being lifted by Prime Minister Abe.
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This demonstrates a growing interest in trading with Wales from Japan, which is an exciting new market for many Welsh businesses. The timing of this is critical. With Brexit approaching, one of the key opportunities for businesses is to exploit new markets and open up new trading opportunities.
Wales has a strong international brand that the Welsh rugby team will be representing in the World Cup this year.
With Wales heading to the World Cup as favourites, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to promote Wales’ unique brand on the international stage.
Not only does the Rugby World Cup take place in Japan this year, but the Olympics takes place in Japan in 2020, which is another opportunity for Welsh brands to gain a foothold.
Trading with a nation such as Japan will provide huge opportunities for some Welsh businesses. These opportunities are already being realised by firms such as former FSB Awards winner, Wrexham-based Net World Sports, which is one Welsh business that is already exporting to Japan.
Of course, export is not the only opportunity for Welsh businesses and our economy that will be promoted by the Rugby World Cup.
Promoting our brand abroad also increases tourism opportunities of overseas visitors coming to Wales. Welsh Government data tells us that there were 784,000 international visits to Wales during the first nine months of 2018, which added up to an expenditure of £320m.
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Furthermore, as of November 2018, data indicated that 78% of businesses had seen greater or equal levels of visitors compared to the same period in 2017, while 84% of businesses expressed confidence for the season ahead.
We would hope that following the efforts of Welsh and 海角视频 Governments to promote Wales’ brand around the world, alongside the opportunities created by the world cup, these figures will continue to rise year on year.
Based on these successes this is a platform for prospecting to many other countries around the world.