Tourism - What's your verdict?
What do you think of the tourism industry? What sort of businesses would you like here? Do we do enough to promote Southwest Wales, at home and abroad?
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Mark from Swansea has this point to make:
"
I agree with previous comments, the amount of times I have been asked what part of England is Wales in beggers belief. It was good to see recently on a flight back from Aus, that the Welsh tourist board had showing an in-flight video on Wales. Although lets be honest the best way to promote anything is word or mouth! I know one thing I tell everybody about Wales, and am very proud to."
Neill from Swansea says:
"I feel I must write to point out what would appear to be a weakness in the tourist strategy for Wales. We have an exceptionally beautiful coastline and yet the yachting fraternity seems to stict to the south coast. Can we not do more to entice them to this neck of the woods?"
Dai living in Walsall, originally from Llanelli says:
"As someone born and raised in South West Wales but now living in England the one thing Wales needs to do to promote tourism is something that the tourist board cannot do, that is make people welcome. I have visited my home country many times with my English wife and if I keep my mouth shut and people don't realise I am Welsh I have witnessed loads of ignorance and racism, that is why we never return now."
Ian from Milford Haven says:
"The fatal mistake Swansea City Council made decades ago was the abolition of the Mumbles Railway. What a tourist boom it would be today, what utter short sightedness. It would be a World Heritage Site today if still in operation."
Bob from Langley B.C. Canada says:
"I have lived in British Columbia for 31 years, and my beef is, why doesn't the Wales Tourist Board advertise our country more? Most Canadians think Wales is a county in England. The latter, Ireland, and Scotland do a great job of selling themselves abroad, but Wales does such a poor job. It is a pity really as Wales has so much to offer culturally, it also has such natural beauty in its countryside, and the singing and arts really excel there. So come on Wales, get off your butts and start promoting yourself better."
Charles from Swansea says:
"We need tourism, seen as Wales has few other industries. We have so much to offer. We just have to be careful, preventing unwanted development on our beautiful countryside. "Tourists just need to make sure that they learn Welsh before coming here. Would you go to France without knowing any French?".
Anna from Coventry talks about Kidwelly town and its tourism potential:
"I visit relatives in Kidwelly and I was initially shocked at how Wales does nothing to promote very obvious tourist attractions. The castle is one of the finest I have seen and I had a great morning there, but the cafe next door is closed nearly all the time and hardly anyone frequents it. If it was well promoted I feel the castle would be a great success. Come on Wales sort it out, the place is running down.""
The South West Web Team have received this email after the completion of the Rally of Wales:
"I have just returned home to San Francisco from Wales. Margam Park is an amazing piece of work. I travelled there with my three brothers to see the Rally of Wales I did not expect to see this house. We also hiked into Crychan and Rhondda Forest. Thank you for the historic information on St. Patrick. Highlights of the trip were Peter Solberg at Rhondda, Colin McCrae and Tommi Makinen at Crychan, not to forget Gwyndaf Evans at Margam Park."
Edward of Prescot has these comments on Wales:
"I've been visting Ceredigion for nigh on 30 years and I adore the place. It's where my family come from, and I'm proud of the fact. But it seems these days there are more English people than Welsh! I know several of my friends there who have moved to England for work, and not necessarily because they want to. Despite young people apparently leaving in droves however, the population of Ceredigion - according to census statistics - has risen by nearly 20% in the last decade or so! More work needs to be created for the youth of Ceredigion, but tourism doesn't seem to have helped in that matter at all ..."
Mark has this to say about his home town:
"Port Talbot could be such a better place if money was invested in tourism to generate monies for local businesses. But instead most of the local councillors just look after themselves ... If money was spent on the seafront instead of putting all those ridiculous speed bumps throughout Sandfields Estate I think Aberafan could be a nice holdiday resort."
Wyn from Llanybydder believes Ceredigion deserves greater promotion:
"I have to agree with Tony from Cardigan that Ceredigion is very much under promoted compared with other counties in South West Wales. Ceredigion has a lot to offer eg. castles, sea, fishing, mountains, good food and so on. Areas like Lampeter and Llandysul need to sell themselves more to tourism, especially focusing on the cultural and grey pound tourist market."
Peter from Port Talbot is annoyed that not enough is being made of Aberavon sea front:
"I think that the Neath Port Talbot Council isn't doing enough to promote tourists at the Aberavon beach. They have built a nursing and retirement home but nothing to bring in vital tourists to the area. I think they should build onto the Hollywood Park with maybe an ice rink or ten pin bowling centre, which would bring money into the area."
Ceri an expat living in Australia says the Welsh Tourist Board need to do a better job:
"If you really want tourism, the Welsh Tourist Board and such should learn from the Irish who advertise quite a lot outside the UK. I've been living abroad for 11 years both in South East Asia and Australia. In the time I have not seen one holiday advert for Wales, but I've seen plenty for Ireland and England in the local papers. The Irish also run TV adverts here in Australia."Wales is very poorly represented outside the UK. I've been saying for years to myself, why doesn't Wales advertise like the Irish? Over the years I've advised / directed people to go to Wales, and what to see when they have been planning a trip to the UK. The Welsh Tourist Board should thank kind Welsh expats like myself for doing their job, advertising places in Wales. They really do need to pull their socks up on this issue."
Paul from Milford Haven reports on the news announced that 250 jobs are to be created by Jobcentre Plus at the Pembroke Dock Call Centre :
"Great news for Pembroke Dock. But what happened to Manpower? They said they would not pull out of the call centre at Pembroke Dock."
Michael from Pembroke Dock has this to say:
"Yesterday the call centre here in Pembroke Dock closed down. A thousand seater call centre empty. A new one is built in Bridgend on spec. by the WDA. I'm pleased for Bridgend but what have we done down here in West Wales? Yes we will all have temporary jobs during the summer and still not be able to afford to buy our own houses. I know I will clean the incomers houses for an income. The Welsh Assembly must do something or May will be interesting for the ruling party."
Bob of Bryncoch agrees with what Nigel had to say:
"Nigel is spot on with his comments. Another example of clever use of EU funds is Ireland - they've built some fantastic new roads and their economy has benefitted greatly from it. The Welsh Assembly however, has turned the opportunity of getting Objective Funds from the EU into a massive exercise in paperwork and bureaucracy - can anyone point to any significant projects that have arise from Objective One?"
Nigel of Pembroke Dock draws some damning comparisons with South West Wales:
"I have just finished a job in Greece near the Turkish border and the Euro money was flowing in that area ie nice roads airport etc. But nothing seems to happen in Pembs. Again the Welsh Assembly has got a lot of bright ideas but that's it.
"I agree with Michael of Pembroke Dock - plans always look good on paper and of course assembly members get paid well which is more than many people in Pembrokeshire do! Wages in the area are not good unless you work for a big oil company, or do contract work on sites.
"Being a local man it annoys me and we have lost a lot of jobs in this area over the last ten years and nothing has been done to replace them. Many of the young people have leave the area to find decent jobs which is sad."
Michael of Pembroke Dock is angry about the latest talk of job losses at a call centre in Pembrokeshire - read more about that story below.
"Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire gets a good kicking again. The call centre closes again! Is it a 'call centre too far'? Where are the Welsh Assembly (government?). Please do not let them talk about job centres on site, training courses and action / task forces. What we need are jobs not plans."
"Just read about the Alcoa 287 workers in Swansea being saved by a multi million pound grant from the assembly. Great news for the workers and Swansea. Will that happen for the call centre in Pembroke Dock. I think not. Why? Because we don't make things? Or because we are west of Swansea?"
Alistair of Pontyclun has this to say on the tourism debate:
"If tourism brings jobs, is good for the environment and allows others to enjoy our rich heritage then it is good for Wales and our region. As our Celtic neighbours have made good use of their Celtic past, so should we, even more so seeing as we hold the largest cultural festival of the Celtic nations each year and we have an ever-increasing strength in our language. We are proud to be Welsh, so we should all put in a concerted effort to tidy Wales up as well as making it an enjoyable destination."
"With the funding now available for our region from the EU through Objective One and the arrival of BMI Baby at Cardiff we need to leap on this chance now if we are to get a head start. It's also important that if Cardiff wins the nomination to be European Capital of Culture in 2008, we need to be prepared for the knock-on effects on our region and make them positive; so these people come back again and help Wales flourish after years of under-investment and a severe lack of 'entrepreneurship'.
"There is help available, the job is now up to us, so get your thinking caps on - there are resources available. If you do have any ideas remember to contact your MP who can put you in touch with those that administer the Objective One funds and applications. Cymru am byth."
Ken of Neyland has this to say:
"Of course we need better roads into Pembrokeshire. Why should we be the only area to be left out? Just look at the superb new Sageston by-pass and the benefits to the people of that village. Well done!"
J of Pembroke has replied to Dave's email:
"Congratulations Dave for at least standing up for 'road link improvements'. But would these really help? Having moved into Pembrokeshire in 1972, I was forced to take employment outside in 1979 - I still travel on a weekly basis from Monday to Friday. Yes, bringing home to Pembrokeshire at least adequate finance to live and maintain a family and property. I would suggest that currently large percentages do just as I and work outside the area, but return weekly."
"Good adequate flights/rail/coach links currently do not exist (but once they almost did - but were castrated by cost). Currently the 'road context' just acts as a further local revenue generator (fines). Surely one can only have one or the other. 'A nice place' or a place spoilt due to easy access."
"As the Irish and Scots have learnt development has to be natural and not forced for it to be sustained. Reliance on the potato proved that for at least two above. Personally the improvement does not lie with just one factor, but a total mind set of many. So lets make yours the start..."
Dave of Tenby wants to improve the road network in Pembrokeshire:
"The area needs a good road link from the end of the M4, preferably an extension of the motorway to the port of Pembroke. Until this takes place there will be no major investments or business in the county of Pembroke and the standards of living will remain below the average. This is a priority to open the port up and bring in developers."
Bob of Pembroke wants sustainable development:
"We need a balanced economy that lasts ALL Year. Tourism cannot sustain the whole area."
Matt is originally from Bradford but moved to Wales some years ago:
"I now live in Kidwelly which has, amongst other things, a castle, but it is totally under-promoted in terms of tourism. I disagree with other points raised and believe that the local area should be developed specifically for the purpose of attracting more tourists which will in turn benefit the local economy. "
Martin of Swansea has this to say:
"Wales is a wonderful place to live. It has beaches, castles, countryside and a plethora of things to do. I live in Swansea and see the beaches as the jewel in Swansea's crown. I have surfed for over 18 years on the beaches and there is without a doubt less sand here. Whether this is because of the dredging in the Bristol Channel or not, I do not know. Without beaches people are not going to come to Swansea and the people in power need to remember this."
Here's what Ross of Maesteg thinks:
"I believe tourists are good for certain areas of South West Wales, as it brings money into the communities and brings jobs into the area."
"However, I must say that I don't think South West Wales should go 'too overboard' in relying on tourism for everything, as I think it will destroy the area. South West Wales as it is now is nice, with a fair amount of tourism."
Tony of Cardigan believes that his area is under promoted compared with Pembrokeshire:
"Wales has a lot to offer but is so poorly represented that only a trickle of foreigners come here. I work for a bus operator that offers tours of Europe and Britain, unfortunately they believe that Cardiff will suffice as a visit to say "Oh my God, Wales is beautiful - we went to Cardiff".
"In the whole of Britain it is Wales that has one of the strongest Celtic cultures - whether it be our eisteddfod, or our ancient language."
"Ceredigion compared to Pembrokeshire is totally under promoted. I don't understand why the Welsh Assembly don't stand in and buy Cardigan castle, the home of the original Eisteddfod in 1176."Join the debate - email us or fill in this pop-up form.
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