Showcasing Neath Port Talbot is paying off

Work to showcase Neath Port Talbot to the nation and the world is paying dividends.

The work to showcase the diverse range of activities on offer in Neath Port Talbot is paying dividends, with more than 1.3m tourists visiting the county borough this year.

The Authority's tourism team is working closely with visitor attractions and businesses to raise awareness of the delights the county borough has to offer.

Alongside this work, the team launched a website in the summer, www.visitnpt.co.uk to highlight all the activities and attractions in the area.

To build on the success of the website, the team have linked up with the Brecon Beacons National Park, Forestry Commission Wales and Gallu to arrange 'Time to Discover Neath Port Talbot' events to give tourism businesses the opportunity to discover what was on their doorstep and sign post visitors to the natural beauty on offer in the Neath Port Talbot.

The first Time to Discover Day, held in September, was led by a Brecon Beacons National Park officers, participants took a walk to Sgwd Gwladus, just one of a range of breathtaking waterfalls in the area and located on the border of Brecon Beacons National Park.

The waterfall forms part of the Fforest Fawr Geopark and is one of only 35 areas in Europe awarded the Geopark status for its important geological history.

Council leader Ali Thomas has praised the tourism team and tourism providers for the excellent work being carried out to attract visitors from all over the world to Neath Port Talbot.

He said: "First hand experience of activities and attractions helps tourism providers not just to attract more people to stay in their accommodation or visit their attraction, it also attracts more visitors to Neath Port Talbot as a whole, encouraging them to spend money in the local economy.

"This year a staggering 1.3m visitors experienced the delights, from the industrial heritage to the areas of exception natural beauty, the county borough has to offer."

The next Discover Day is being held at Afan Forest Visitor Centre at 12pm on Wednesday 4th November 2009.

Participants will be taken to places in Afan Forest Park that they may never have seen before and will get a chance to see the world class mountain bike trails and all the latest facilities available in the Forest Park.

To learn more about the Afan Forest Park and how it can help you attract more visitors to your business book your place by visiting www.gallu.org.uk

Please note that booking is essential. Also suitable walking footwear should be worn and in wet weather, waterproof clothing is advised.