Swansea businesses are working with the council to make the area even more attractive to local people during the current lockdown.
A number of those in the hospitality and tourism trade are offering special deals to people who live within the county boundaries.
Offers on overnight stays and eating out for local people are among the deals being promoted as part of the Swansea Council Tourism Team’s new #LoveBeingLocal campaign.
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “During the lockdown we’re using our Visit Swansea Bay media channels to inspire our residents to #LoveBeingLocal and to enjoy Swansea Bay responsibly.
“We’re fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world with lots of space for us to exercise and to feel the benefit of being outdoors.
“It’s also an opportunity to combine enjoying the great outdoors with a visit to a local business – having a great day out while supporting the wider community.
“Visit Swansea Bay is sharing news of special offers especially for residents to help them to #LoveBeingLocal. At present, people from outside can’t visit the area without good cause – and Swansea residents can’t leave the area without good cause.
“This year continues to present challenges to our hospitality and tourism businesses and we’re constantly evolving our activity to keep pace with the fast-changing situation and new regulations.
“The visitswanseabay.com website and social media channels are popular with residents, and this is an opportunity to encourage local people to make the most of what’s on their doorstep during the local lockdown.
“But while we aim to make the best of this situation, we must still remember to follow the Welsh Government regulations at all times regarding hygiene, distancing, face coverings and only meeting indoors with the people that you live with.
“We urge our community to Enjoy Swansea Bay. Responsibly. By doing so, we can hopefully come out of our local lockdown as soon as possible.”
The King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston is a long standing Visit Swansea Bay partner.
Carly Shapton, the venue’s marketing and advertising manager, said: “We work closely with the council’s Tourism Team all year round; it’s important for us all to work together to support our local tourism industry during these unprecedented times.
“Our lockdown special offers are just for residents of the Swansea Council area – giving them a well-deserved chance to relax during a stressful time, whilst at the same time sustaining a local business.”
At the same time, the council is working with the industry to keep the wider visitor audience engaged by using social media with a clear message to – Visit Swansea Bay. Later.
This successful approach has seen visits to visitswanseabay.com rise 30% on last year. This gives Swansea businesses the opportunity to reach even more potential visitors who may be planning future staycations.
The hospitality and tourism industry was worth more than £460m to Swansea last year, with 4.74 million visitors and more than 5,800 jobs supported.
