Croeso for UK Travel Trade in South Wales
The UK travel trade saw some of the very best of the South Wales
tourism industry last week [29-31 Jan].
The Southern Wales Showcase - now in its third year - welcomed
over thirty group buyers from all over the country. The coach and
tour operators and group travel organisers attending were shown
some high quality attractions, venues and destinations during their
three day fact finding visit.
Arranged by Southern Wales Tourism, coordinated by UK travel trade
specialists Steve Reed Tourism from Hampshire and working closely
with the South Wales tourism industry, the event was all about
generating new bookings.
Some of the tour buyers stayed for two nights at
the Coldra Court Hotel by Celtic Manor in Newport - from that base
they took in tours of the local area with Steve Griffin, Blue Badge
Guide looking after the group and answering questions about the
tour. Mainline Coaches were the transport provider for the group
during their visit to South Wales.
The group visited Penarth Pier Pavilion near Cardiff before a
tour of the Wales Millennium Centre. Llancaiach Fawr Manor - a 16c
manor house - near Caerphilly was their next port of call before
the tour buyers met the tourism industry face to face at the Wales
National Velodrome in Newport.
At the Velodrome the attendees were able to do business with
hotels, attractions and destinations from across the wider
region.
Dinner and a show'round at the St Pierre Marriott
Hotel and Country Club near Chepstow was next for the buyers on
their schedule.
The rich history of the South Wales area was experienced at the
Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and at the Guardian, Six Bells
Mining Memorial.
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery was on the itinerary
before the group concluded their familiarisation visit with a call
into the Royal Mint Visitor Experience at Llantrisant.
Vicky Jones is the Project Manager at Southern Wales
Tourism:
'We were so happy to welcome the tour planners to South Wales so
they could experience much of what we have to offer to groups and
coach parties. Already bookings have been made - even during the
event itself,' says Vicky.
'The event is our third in succession and it has really helped
to get our part of the world noticed to the wider tourism industry
in the UK. And of course we'd like to thank the many businesses
that have helped to provide such a great welcome for the buyers,
that is much appreciated.