This month saw one of the strongest Tourism Swansea open meetings in the head offices of the National Waterfront Museum.  We were lucky enough to have present Sarah Vinning, the Marketing Manager of the museum, who answered many controversial questions and gave an insight into the progress of the exciting developments.  Sally Anne Evans from SA marketing also gave us an informative talk about the pros and cons of leaflet promotion. 

A huge thank-you to all members who came along to this meeting, it was fantastic to see so many of you there – hopefully 2005 will see this kind of support at all of our future meetings.

A date for your diary is the first 2005 Tourism Swansea open meeting.  This will be hosted by the new Ramada Encore on Tuesday 11th January at 12 noon.  It gives you the opportunity to see around this new hotel and the facilities it offers.  More details of guest speakers and directions will follow.  Come along to have you input on what issues/topics you would like to have addressed by the association in 2005 as well as hear about what we have planned for the coming year.

Tourism Swansea saw a great turn out of both members and non members  at this recent event, which shows just how eager local tourism businesses are to improve and move forward by accessing European funded projects and grants.  A number of speakers including Andrew Lloyd Hughes from the City and County of Swansea and Jo Leeurweke from the Wales Centre for Accessible Tourism gave extremely interesting presentations and took part in a topical discussion with all local operators. 

Exhibitors at the event said how encouraging it was to find out that so many businesses in the area were interested in this aspect and it had been very successful for them in terms of getting their message across.

More than double the expected numbers turned up at the Marriott Hotel, approximately 110 businesses were represented.  For those of you who took part in the day we hope you’ll agree that it was tremendously successful on all accounts!

An exciting project which may interest you is being run by one of our associate members - Computeraid.  They specialise in imporving your computer skills in just ten days!

Computeraid, along established award winning company, is please to offer popular, free computer courses for Welsh businesses in the Swansea area.  Delegates take part in structured training relating to PC basics, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, the internet, e-mail and data security.  Courses are run one-day-a-week for ten weeks.

The next available course takes place at the University of Wales, Swansea starting on Tuesday 11th January.  Places are based on a first come first served basis and are limited, so avoid disappointment and book today.

For a booking form and further details please contact Rebecca Willmoth on free phone 0800 183 2040 or alternatively e-mail

In order to support tourism businesses addressing the requirements of the
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) is
supporting a service to provide a ‘Walk & Talk Survey’ of businesses in
Swansea, Carmarthenshire or Neath Port Talbot, on a first-come-first-served basis. The total cost of the audit is £150.00 - WTB will subsidise this by £30, meaning the net cost would be £120.00.  You can even request a written report should you need one, at an additional cost.  For further information and to request an application form please contact WTB’s Business Support Unit on 029 2047 5283 or e-mail

Most Tourism Swansea members will now have heard of or even been invleved with the new Gallu project which focusses on providing training to tourism businesses.  The most recent course was 'presentation skills' - this successful day gave owner-managers of local businesses the confidence and skills to deliver strong presentations and talks.  As you can see from the photo on the left, it was an enjoyable learning experience!

Full details of forthcoming courses will be sent to members by e-mail and will be included in this newsletter.  If you are not a member of Tourism Swansea but would like to be included in the Gallu e-mails then please drop us a line at the office or call the office on 01792 403333.

Morriston Orpheus Choir will be holding their annual Christmas Charity concert at St Mary’s Church, Swansea, on Saturday 18 December at 7.30pm.  The choir will be performing with Eirian Davies, Baritone and the Cor Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr so it looks set to be an entertaining evening.  Tickets are available from Evan Roberts on 01792 526211 or at the door on the night.

Every Sunday Blackpill Lido acts as the meeting place for a walk incorporating the history of Mumbles, 10.30am – 12 noon.  All walks are around 5km and will consist of 30 minutes one way, a 15 minute break, and a 30 minute return. You are advised to take water, wear stout footwear and suitable clothing for Swansea weather!

Blackpill also acts as the venue for another area of interest – the Blackpill Wildlife centre re-opens from 10am to 1pm on alternate Sundays.  You can share telescope to see what birds are feeding as the tide pushes up, whether you are a bird enthusiast or would simply like to pursue a new interest.

The city centre is host to a colourful selection of markets this festive season.  The Christmas Craft Market will be on Oxford Street until 15th December and the Welsh Food Fair will be on Princess Way from 13th-15th December.

There will be a celebration of the WDA Sail Bridge on 15th December - Join the WDA at the East Boroughs Car Park in Swansea Maritime Quarter (opposite Dylan Thomas Centre) for a celebration event commemorating one year since the opening of the revolutionary 'Sail Bridge'. There will be loads of children’s entertainment including an ice-rink, a small funfair, choirs and some spectacular fireworks at around 7pm!

If you fancy some family entertainment on the last evening of 2004 then head to the Brangwyn Hall for a live performance of the popular Christmas classic “The Snowman”.  The concert lasts approximately an hour and tickets can be reserved by calling the box office on 01792 475715