Top journalists tour Swansea Bay

JOURNALISTS from across the UK and beyond have just enjoyed an action-packed weekend in Swansea Bay that was organised by Swansea Council as part of their Premier League marketing campaign.

Reporters from The Daily Mail, The Western Mail, Four Four Two magazine and 11 Freunde, a football magazine based in Germany, were among those who got to experience the best of Swansea Bay in the build-up to the Manchester City game against the Swans at the Liberty Stadium.

The journalists explored the National Waterfront Museum, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula. Their tour included beauty spots like Worm's Head and Rhossili Bay.

Ben Taylor, News Editor at The Daily Mail, was impressed with the closeness of the city centre to the sea and the countryside.

He said: "We were in Oxwich Bay by 9.30am after a hearty Welsh breakfast. We enjoyed a walk along the beautiful bay in the spring sunshine."

The group was introduced to a selection of local produce including cockles and laverbread at the Dragon Hotel. They also sampled warm Welshcakes and afternoon tea at the Bay Bistro in Rhossili before experiencing the panoramic views of Swansea Bay from the Grape and Olive restaurant at the top of Meridian Tower.

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "The friendly atmosphere at the game and the warm welcome the journalists received helped to make the weekend a huge success. Everybody mentioned returning with their families for a short break in future."

Steve Hopkins, Swansea Council's Tourism and Marketing Manager, said 'Swansea tourism operators helped us make this a truly memorable visit by delivering a great welcome and excellent service at every stage of the weekend.

"We're expecting some very positive coverage as a result of this partnership activity. This will help further raise the profile of the area and drive more business to local accommodation, attractions and activity operators."

The 11 Freunde magazine will be featuring a five-page article in its April issue and the popular Four Four Two magazine will shortly be adding a new Swansea Bay section to its online travel guides. A feature will also follow in the Daily Mail.

Have a look at http://visitswanseabay.com for more information about Swansea Bay as a visitor destination.

 Sign up for daily news alerts at www.swansea.gov.uk/subscribe

 Follow us on Twitter

 Council News Feed