On this site you’ll find the information and links to the ‘essential guide to the business of tourism in South West Wales’ - who’s involved, what it’s worth and why and how the region aims to be an ‘Open All Year’ destination …..every year

One of four regions in Wales (taking in the areas of Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea) tourism is already a major element in the region’s economy attracting approximately £350 million of expenditure into the region and supporting over 20,000 jobs.

There is potential for even stronger growth in the tourism sector but this will only be realised if all those involved in tourism work together and invest in the future ensuring that tourism’s impacts, both positive and negative are planned and managed effectively for all stakeholders.

The South West Wales Regional Tourism Strategy- ‘Open All Year’ arrived at following extensive consultation sets a framework for the above providing a vision, setting priorities and objectives and guiding SWWTP business planning.

The Strategy entitled ‘Open All Year’ has at its core the aim of making the region a truly year round destination, sustaining employment and a quality environment and visitor offer.

Open All Year’ Download PDF (pdf). £8 of every £10 received in core funding from the Welsh Assembly Government (via Visit Wales) was spent directly on projects and organisations with the aim of developing and supporting tourism in the South West Wales region and fulfilling national, regional and local economic objectives.

Some of that funding has contributed to;

• Strengthening the 3 ‘stakeholder’ Trade Association – now nearly 1000 members strong
• 945 people (481 businesses) taking part in Gallu led training initiatives
• Continued support and growth for consortia led thematic, business tourism and Overseas marketing campaigns
• Integration of VisitWales accommodation data into major regional campaigns
• 35 staff TIC taking part regional training to cross-sell the region
• Supporting of key industry road shows and open days
• major events such as The Garden Of Wales Festival inception
• implementation of a wide ranging event support scheme involving events attracting 100,000 visits
• strategic research projects, visitor surveys and a business survey of over 140 regional operators to inform planning decisions
• Regional participation for partners at major business to business and consumer events nationally and internationally with Visit Wales

To download our Annual Report for 2006/7 click the icon ->

To download our Accounts for 2006/7 click the icon ->

For all South West Wales visitor information everything from activities to accommodation and direct links to the official area web sites visit www.southwestwales.info