Local MP Madeleine Moon believes that the creation of the new military training academy at St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, could boost the local economies of the Vale and the Bridgend area.
Speaking at a Bridgend Tourism event held at The Heronstone Hotel, she stated her belief that tourism throughout the area would benefit from the increased visitor numbers attracted to the area as a result of the large numbers of servicemen and women who will trained at the new academy. Each trainee represents the potential for additional revenue from tourism as their families too will be attracted by the range of tourist venues available throughout the area. Hotel, guest houses and restaurants will understandly be hoping to cash in on increased tourist numbers but other small businesses such as activity centres should also benefit.
The award of this hugely prestigious contract was announced on Wednesday by The Ministry of Defence. The Metrix consortium based at RAF St Athan has secured a package worth up to £14bn. During her speech Ms Moon expressed confidence that the new training centre will help to benefit tourism as well as providng up to 5,000 jobs in the Vale of Glamorgan. The contract represents a significant change in defence training requirements with a single agency being appointed to provide training to all the armed forces for the next 25 years.