On Saturday 4th August, Visit Swansea Bay, Swansea Council’s tourism team began their four week Surfari Bus tour of Wales and Ireland to promote the area as a key visitor destination during Wales’ ‘Year of the Sea’.
First stop on the Surfari Bus tour was Oxwich Bay, Gower at which the star of the Surfari show – a branded Visit Swansea Bay vintage VW campervan – packed full of exclusive Swansea Bay competitions and offers – made its debut in the summer sunshine.
Oxwich beachgoers were encouraged to take a ‘surfie’ (selfie!) in the giant #SeaSwanseaBay deckchair, or try a new activity in the blue waters of Oxwich Bay, with the team from Oxwich Watersports who treated visitors to a full day of free taster sessions of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Mr Crossley, on holiday from Hitchin in Hertfordshire signed up to try paddleboarding with his daughter:
“The Bay is absolutely beautiful, we couldn’t believe it when we first got here. This is Elena’s first time on a paddleboard and she’s really looking forward to it.”
Visitors also entered competitions available exclusively at the Surfari Bus to win prizes including three nights of luxury glamping at Three Cliffs Holiday Park; an annual family pass at the Gower Heritage Centre; a day exploring with Gower Tours, and an evening meal at Parc-le-Breos House.
Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said:
“We are delighted that the Surfari Bus tour has got off to such a great start and that so many local businesses have also got on board to support the campaign, offering competition prizes and special offers.
“Most people living in Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower know just how special the area is. Our Surfari Bus tour will help visitors already here to get the most out of their stay, whilst inspiring potential new visitors from around Wales and Ireland to visit.
“Recent figures show tourism was worth £417.85m to our area last year which was an increase of 1.7% on 2016, with over 4.6m visitors enjoying a Swansea Bay break – and, as well as welcoming repeat visitors, we’re also looking forward to welcoming new visitors to the area as they follow the Surfari Bus back to Swansea Bay.”
Following its debut on Saturday at Oxwich Bay, the Surfari Bus moved onto the popular Gower Show at the Penrice Estate on Sunday, where visitors snapped up the offers available, entered the competitions and took selfies in the giant Visit Swansea Bay deckchair.
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The road trip continues with a two week tour of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower, taking in the National Waterfront Museum (8th), Oystermouth Castle (11th), Caswell Bay (14th) and Rhossili Bay (19th), among other locations.
Leaving Swansea Bay, the Surfari Bus travels along the Wales Way to seven locations in seven days including Brecon, Aberystwyth, Machynlleth and Portmeirion, before wrapping up the Welsh stage of the Surfari Bus tour in Llandudno, ahead of the short hop across the Irish Sea where it finally completes its journey in Kilkenny on Sunday September 2nd.
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To keep up to date with the Surfari Bus tour, an interactive map is now live at www.visitswanseabay.com/surfari and daily updates can be found via Visit Swansea Bay’s social media channels (@VisitSwanseaBay).
