10:26am Friday 4th December 2009
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Winter Fair, already regarded by livestock farmers as one of the best events of its kind in Europe, has now also been highly rated by visitors.
An on-line survey conducted after last year’s Fair has revealed that a massive 97.8% of people who responded would recommend the Winter Fair to others as an event to visit. The survey also showed that 67% of those who went to the Fair in 2008 will attend this year’s Fair on November 30 – December 1.
The survey results were based on 272 forms submitted on-line in which visitors were required to respond to a series of 16 questions. Asked to rate their overall experience of the Winter Fair 50.2% declared they were very satisfied and 45.4% said they were satisfied. Just over 37% of respondents were visiting the Fair for the first time and they were there to see the wide range of interests it has to offer. The biggest single attraction according to the survey was livestock (38.4%) but the popularity of the Fair as a place to go Christmas shopping was high on the list as well with 17.6% saying that for them this was the chief attraction.
Other popular venues on the showground were the Food Hall and trade stands. The Food Hall was also praised by respondents, 36.6% of whom thought it was excellent while 51% rated it as good. Trade stands and catering also scored well and were categorised as good by 59.2% and 51.5% respectively. Floral art displays at the Fair were rated excellent by 18.4% of respondents, good by 47.7%.
The survey also sought to discover the age profile of visitors and the results indicated that nearly half those attending the Fair were in the 35 to 45 age group and just over 25% were aged 55 to 64 years. Eighteen to 35 year-olds comprised just over 10% of visitors and 8.4% were over 65.
Asked how they heard about the Fair the majority said they knew of the event from a previous visit while 24% had heard about it by ‘word of mouth’. Some 24.4% got the information via the Royal Welsh website and just over 10% read about the Fair in newspapers and magazines.
Over 76% of those who took part in the survey thought the Fair had been well advertised and practically 100% said the showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, was easy to find.
“The results of the survey are very encouraging. They reflect the fact that most visitors to the Winter Fair are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience,” said Royal Welsh Chief Executive, David Walters. “The society introduced the Fair in November 1990 and has gradually widened its scope and appeal over the years to cater for a wide range of interests. The survey, though limited, gives a clear indication that the Fair is progressing well but we are ever mindful of the need continually to improve the event and strive to provide value for money and this we shall always endeavour to do.”
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