Figures Demonstrate Significant Increase In Vale Of Glamorgan Tourism
VISITORS are flocking to the Vale of Glamorgan, new statistics have revealed.
Figures released by STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) show an increase in the number of people heading to the area during their free time.
Nearly four million tourists made a beeline for the Vale during 2015, that was up 5.6 per cent on the previous year.
The exact total was 3.96 million, and the increase 1.6 per cent greater than the South East Wales average.
That meant an overall value to the economy of £219 million.
There were 2,947 jobs supported by money spent on tourism, a rise of 5.7 per cent on 2014.
Tourists spent 5.4 million days in the Vale last year, a rise of 5 per cent.
That was also 1 per cent above the average for South East Wales.
The Council has taken a number of steps to make the Vale more attractive to tourists.
As part of the Creative Rural Communities initiative, new campsites, walkways and bridleways have been developed around the Vale.
There has also been large-scale investment to regenerate Barry Island.
This included renovation of the eastern shelter and promenade, the creation of new gardens and easier access to the promenade and eastern beach.
The former changing rooms, previously vacant, were converted into toilet facilities and a new water mist feature in the shape of ammonite fossils built.
Beach huts, to be used as market stalls for local artists and crafts people or hired out to visitors, have also been built along the promenade.
New walkways and a ramp to the beach have been constructed.
There has also been an expanded events programme across the Vale, particularly in Barry, while the Council adopted innovative marketing approaches to promote key attractions.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education said: “The Council is thrilled by the new STEAM figures, which show a major growth in the Vale’s tourism industry over the most recent assessment period.
“We have committed substantial funds and resources to make the area more attractive to visitors, most notably at Barry Island, which has undergone a sustained period of improvement, and are delighted to see that investment paying off.
“The money brought in by tourism has provided a significant boost to the local economy.”
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