Event organiser Steve Reed pictured being filmed
Southern Wales continues its drive to attract visitors but this time using socially distanced methods of targeting coach and tour operators.
For the last seven years Southern Wales Tourism, has coordinated regular sales missions, fact-finding visits and ‘meet the buyer’ workshops in an on-going effort to support the many tourism businesses that depend upon group visits.
Past events have included the likes of Tredegar House, The Royal Mint Experience and Cardiff Castle, along with hotels such as the Parkway Hotel & Spa and the Heronston Hotel & Spa. Local coach companies and Wales Official Tour Guides have also featured.
It’s not been possible to run the events this year so instead the team are going virtual. Working with UK group travel specialist company Steve Reed Tourism Ltd, filmmaker James Button, Blue Badge Guide Steve Griffin and Mainline Coaches, a short film illustrating the unique selling points and practicalities of bringing groups into Southern Wales is underway and will be launched at a ‘meet the buyer webinar’ scheduled for July.
This virtual visit will be useful in helping tour planners arrange their South Wales tours without having to visit in person. Many of the iconic sites, attractions and hotels, of the area will be featured in the film including practical details such as coach parking; passenger drop off and pick up; distances between sites; suitability of venues for groups and things to see and do when visiting. We will also be highlighting upcoming and new products for the region including the new adventure experience, Zip World Tower.
‘Each year we have arranged special events in Southern Wales so that tour buyers can see for themselves what we have to offer; this has resulted in numerous group bookings bringing spending visitors into the area.’
‘Now we have the opportunity to showcase our destinations and venues virtually to support the industry and aid recovery. The virtual familiarisation trip highlights many new experiences whilst revisiting much loved group venues like the Royal Mint Experience and the National Museums and it will be packed with useful pointers, helpful contacts and information for the all-important buyers. We recognise the value of the group sector to hotels and attractions across Southern Wales so we want to inform and inspire tour planners to ensure the region continues to feature on as many itineraries as possible.’ Nicola Edwards, Chair of Southern Wales Tourism
