Tourism Swansea Newsletter

for further details). My plan outlined in the January newsletter to raise the Mumbles Road to give it a view of the sea as well as creating parking space for visitors to the new building has been well received.

There has also been strong interest in a monorail link along the shore. Now I’m beginning to believe that this could fit in well with a new building but more that it could become an iconic link in its own right. Just imagine a super fast system (as they have in Sydney or Tokyo) swooping around the bay barely above wave height to give an effective and congestion free public transport system. A Mumbles train for the next 200 years!

The workshop that we ran in February with Opportunity Wales on A Basic Introduction to Computers and the Internet was a great success and was oversubscribed. We’re awaiting confirmation of a venue for a follow on course which will concentrate on sending and receiving e mails. This will include ways of countering spam and viruses. We will be running the Introductory Course again in the next few months. These courses are also open to members of Neath Tourism Forum with whom we have been working closely over the past six months

Wales Rally GB - Urban Stage in Swansea could attract 100,000 spectators

The news that the governing body for motorsport had decided to allow the Wales Rally GB to retain its World Rally Championship status must have sent up huge sighs of relief around the corridors of power.

Swansea now has the chance to imprint itself on the international world with an urban stage which could attract over 100,000 spectators. Read more about how Kilvey Hill could become world famous at

After all the fuss about speeding rally drivers it comes as something of a surprise that the new chief constable of South Wales has announced that she is joining forces with rally organisers to encourage convicted car thieves to meet international rally drivers in the run up to the event!

Geoff Haden

Chairman

Tourism ICT Workshop Success

Swansea Bay IT Support Centre teamed up with Tourism Swansea this month to develop an exclusive workshop for Tourism Swansea members to give them "hands on" experience to improve their IT skills.

The workshop was a great success and we have received very positive feedback.

Due to restrictions on numbers not everyone was able to get on this course. However, we are currently working with Swansea Bay IT Support Centre to develop another course in the near future.

New Tourism Swansea Members

We would like to welcome the following new members to Tourism Swansea.
* Property Chainbreakers & Holiday Lets
* The Green Gallery
* Llwyn-Y-Bwch Farm
* Wiseleap Holdings Ltd
* Folio Typographics
* Maes-y-Gwernen Hotel
* Trysor–Heritage Services
* Barbarellas Ladies Fashions
* Seren Retreat - Bed and Breakfast
* Chatcombe - Bed and Breakfast
* Chapel Street Studio
* The Signature Gallery
* Glenmor - Bed and Breakfast
* Fairy Lodge Farm - Self Catering
* The Chocolate Factory

If you know of any business in the Swansea, Mumbles and Gower area who would benefit from being a member of Tourism Swansea, please contact Michelle.

Making the Past Work for You

Trysor is a new business in the heritage field. Having spent a decade working together as colleagues in public archaeology in Wales, Jenny Hall and Paul Sambrook have established Trysor with a view to making heritage an asset from which communities and businesses can benefit.

'Trysor's purpose is to make the past work for our clients', says Jenny Hall. 'There is a tremendous, and growing, interest in archaeology and history across Wales. It is important that people can get accurate audits on the history of their area if they are developing projects or businesses that would benefit from exploiting local heritage themes. This is as true of individual tourism operators, such as someone running a Bed & Breakfast, as it is for a community group that is creating a village trail for locals and visitors alike.'

Paul Sambrook says, 'Our experience shows us that many people really do not realise the wealth of heritage that is out there in each of our communities. We have spent many years as archaeologist helping communities explore their past and have the research and reporting skills to turn around projects quickly and within budget. We are flexible and responsive to the specific needs of our clients - the important thing is that they get what they need.'
If you would like to have a chat about how they could help you, their contact details are:

Trysor, 38 New Road, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18 1UN Tel: 01269 826397, Mobile: 07984 050382 (Jenny), 07815 836213 (Paul)
email: or

Wales in Bloom

Wales in bloom entry forms for businesses wishing to enter their floral
displays for the national competition are out now! For Swansea to stand a
chance at Wales in Bloom, and even Britain in Bloom, we must encourage as many people as possible to beautify their businesses with hanging baskets
etc. There is also a separate Swansea in Bloom Competition run by the
City Council, businesses can also enter this competition but on a separate
entry form issued by the Council. The benefits to businesses of prestige and
media attention are obvious, as well as the impression we make on our customers. For entry forms contact Michelle at the Tourism Swansea office.

Data Protection Scam

We have been informed that a Data Protection Agency is currently sending out notices, which appear to be fraudulently seeking money. The letter is asking for you to send them a cheque for £95.00. This agency is currently being investigated by trading standards and we have been advised that we should not comply with the request for money or details.
Any member who receives this notice should immediately contact trading standards to report it.

Student Placements

Thinking about taking on extra staff now that the season is fast approaching? Have you ever considered taking on a student or graduate? Well great news for employers! You can advertise your vacancy completely free of charge at simply complete the online form, then the system will match your vacancy with thousands of graduates and undergraduates on their system.

Events Information

Tourism Swansea have been working with Swansea Council's Tourism Unit in order to keep members of the trade up to date with the events that are taking place in Swansea. Starting from next month, there will be a regular up date of the major events that are taking place in Swansea in the Tourism Swansea Newsletter.

Also, the Tourism Unit are in the process of renewing their website and the Whats on events listing and are keen to find out the ways in which the trade would prefer to receive this information. If you have any preferences or ideas on this please contact Michelle at Tourism Swansea.

Tourism Swansea Membership Fees and Benefit Packs

Just a reminder - your Tourism Swansea Membership fees will be due at the beginning of April. Each member will receive a letter with the 2004/2005 membership fees.

Also, our Member Benefit Packs are finally ready!! Once we have received your Membership fees in April, you will be issued with your new benefit pack which will give you all the information on the many benefits of being a member of Tourism Swansea and how to access them. For further information contact Michelle at the Tourism Swansea Office on 01792 403333