With tourist numbers at a high in Pembrokeshire, the county’s Visitor Welcome team has been busy helping and advising holidaymakers at various popular locations along the coast.
On a daily basis, ten officers (wearing bright pink hi-vis) are patrolling tourism hotspots throughout the county to advise on any queries visitors might have, from car parking options to coastal bus timetables, dog-friendly beaches, the location of public conveniences, water safety and more.
Deployed by Pembrokeshire County Council, the team also reports any issues that need assistance from other sections of the local authority or partner organisations, such as reckless behaviour on the coast, car parks filling up and bins needing emptying.
Now in its second year, the initiative has been set up by Pembrokeshire County Council, Visit Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) and PLANED.
In addition to the new teams, staff and visitor welcome volunteers from the PCNPA, other sections of Pembrokeshire County Council as well as local PCSOs, will as usual be available throughout the summer at key locations on the coastline to offer advice to visitors and ensure that Pembrokeshire is as safe and welcoming as possible.
Cllr Mike James, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, thanked all those welcoming holidaymakers to Pembrokeshire.
“We’re very proud of our county and keen to help visitors have a wonderful time while they are here; I know the teams have been working very hard to advise and help wherever possible,” he said.
Emma Thornton, CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire, said they were delighted to be working with partners PCC, PCNPA and local volunteer groups to further develop the Visitor Welcome team which proved so successful last summer.
“With the focus on staycations this year we are expecting a busy summer,” she said. “For many of our visitors this year, it will be their first visit to Pembrokeshire. We want to ensure they have a great time, explore all that our beautiful county has to offer, and leave as ambassadors for Pembrokeshire looking forward to their next visit.
“The Visitor Welcome team will play a key role in helping us achieve this.”
Cllr Paul Harries, Chairman of PCNPA said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this scheme and a huge thanks go to our volunteers, who are giving their time to support visitor management and encouraging people to tread lightly and leave no trace in what is an extremely busy summer season.
“It is fantastic to know that visitors to our county will receive a warm Pembrokeshire welcome again this summer and have the support of our welcome volunteers to make the most of their time in the National Park.”
Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said the team is part of the package of support for the tourism industry in Pembrokeshire.
“The officers are there to advise, reassure and welcome, and I’m certain their presence has been welcomed by tourists and locals alike.”
