Visit Wales Announces Luke Evans As Latest Year Of Legends Ambassador

CARDIFF, Wales, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Luke Evans, star of multiple Hollywood blockbusters including the upcoming Beauty and the Beast (Disney, March 17), has become the latest Welsh celebrity to back the Visit Wales 2017 Year of Legends tourism campaign. Year of Legends brings Wales' epic past to life like never before, with attractions, events and activities designed to lure tourists to legendary locations throughout the country.

Evans joins a line-up of Welsh celebrities including Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon and songstress-presenter Cerys Matthews, announced as ambassadors this past January. They will highlight their home country as a nation whose rich storytelling tradition contributed to legends like King Arthur and the myths of Avalon as well as literary works like Alice in Wonderland and Lord of The Rings.

Evans said of his involvement in Wales' Year of Legends campaign: "I am excited to get behind Wales as we share some of our most fascinating stories with visitors from all over the world. Growing up, Welsh myths and legends were very much a part of my culture, and their impact can still be seen today if you know where to look. There is so much emerging talent in Wales today, and so many world-class attractions. 2017 really feels like the right time to celebrate and share our heritage and how it impacts us today and into the future."

Evans first appearance as a Year of Legends Ambassador is in a new Visit Wales promotional video, which celebrates Wales' myths and legends and invites visitors to, "find your epic, deep in the soul of Wales". It can be viewed on the Visit Wales YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/visitwales, Facebook page www.facebook.com/visitwales and on www.VisitWales.com. It will be airing as an advertisement in the UK.

This announcement falls on St David's Day, which commemorates one of Wales' best known legends and the country's patron saint. St David was born in the 6^th century, grew up to be Archbishop of Wales, and performed several miracles throughout the course of his life. Before his death on March 1^st, David encouraged his followers to "do the little things you have seen me do" – a sentiment of kindness and giving that lives on in Wales throughout the year.

For more information, visit: visitwales.com/legends or follow @VisitWales on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Video and images are available upon request.

About Luke Evans:
Luke Evans originally hails from Pontypool in South Wales. He will star as Gaston in the new Disney remake of Beauty and the Beast, released on March 17. He made a name for himself in Hollywood blockbusters Girl on The Train, Fast & Furious 6 and Dracula Untold, after a successful run in London West End musicals, including Miss Saigon and Rent.

About the Year of Legends in Wales:
Year of Legends is the second in a series of three themed years to highlighting Wales as a destination for tourism, creative industries, business and investment. It follows on from the international success of the 2016 Year of Adventure, which led to North Wales being named as one of the top ten regions on the planet to visit in 2017 by Lonely Planet. Year of Legends celebrates the epic past, present and future of Wales, a country with an ancient landscape, and home to thousands of years of history and myth.

About Visit Wales:
Visit Wales is the government tourism office for Wales with offices in New York, NY and Wales, U.K. Wales is one of four countries that make up the United Kingdom. A land with 641 castles, 870 miles of walkable coastline, three national parks and award-winning cuisine, Wales offers travelers a variety of activities and different landscapes to explore. The country's Celtic history and ancient language make it a distinctive British destination. For more information on travel to Wales, go to www.visitwales.com/americas.

Media Contacts:
Kate Monohan, Weber Shandwick: KMonohan@webershandwick.com; 212-546-7802
Lauren Summers, Visit Wales: Lauren.Summers@visitbritain.org; 212-850-0362

SOURCE Visit Wales