As southern Wales continues its drive to attract groups, it's switching to socially distanced methods of targeting coach and tour operators.

For the past seven years Southern Wales Tourism has co-ordinated regular sales missions, fact finding visits and ‘meet the buyer’ workshops in an on-going effort to support the many tourism businesses that depend upon group visits. Past events have included the likes of Tredegar House, The Royal Mint Experience and Cardiff Castle, along with hotels such as the Parkway Hotel & Spa and the Heronston Hotel & Spa. Local coach companies and Wales Official Tour Guides have also featured.

It’s not been possible to run the events this year, so instead the team are going virtual. Working with UK group travel specialist company Steve Reed Tourism Ltd, filmmaker James Button, Blue Badge Guide Steve Griffin and Mainline Coaches, a short film illustrating the unique selling points and practicalities of bringing groups into southern Wales is underway and will be launched at a ‘meet the buyer webinar’ scheduled for July.

This virtual visit will be useful in helping tour planners arrange their south Wales tours without having to visit in person. Many of the iconic sites, attractions and hotels of the area will be featured in the film, including practical details such as coach parking, passenger drop off and pick up, distances between sites, suitability of venues for groups and things to see and do when visiting.

Find out more at visit@southernwales.com and www.southernwales.com

Photo: Steve Reed and Steve Griffin filming at Raglan Castle (Courtesy of Cadw)