Pembrokeshire Tourism and The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

In the last couple of weeks, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) has been in the news as various bodies and individuals raise questions about it and the functions it delivers.

Pembrokeshire Tourism has worked alongside PCNPA quite closely for a number of years, and in recent months that relationship has developed as the Destination Pembrokeshire Partnership (DPP) has moved from idea into reality, delivering the Destination Management Plan. Many of our members run their businesses within the boundaries of the National Park, many operate activities in that area, and no doubt all of us have at some time taken a stroll along a stretch of the Coast Path which, after 40 years, remains Pembrokeshire’s most visited attraction.

In my view the National Park and the work of the Authority provides an enormous ‘platform’ on which tourism can thrive. National Parks are, in themselves, an internationally renowned ‘brand’ and the Authority’s work to protect and enhance the local landscape has made a significant contribution to Pembrokeshire being recognised as the ‘second best coastal destination in the world’ by National Geographic. Similarly, the Park Authority runs a number Tourist Information Centres (TIC’s) as well as its own visitor attractions (Oriel Y Parc, Castell Henllys and Carew Castle) and produces the always popular ‘Coast-to-Coast’ summer guide.

The popularity of the National Park is reflected in the recent 2011-12 visitor survey, undertaken by Beaufort Research on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council and the Destination Pembrokeshire Partnership, which highlighted the natural environment as being “key to the visit experience with elements such as award winning beaches, a range of natural attractions and walking viewed as the most important elements of the trip and also seen as the best performing elements of the trip.”

As a result, whatever an individual may think of the Authority, its commitment to keep the National Park and Pembrokeshire one of the most popular tourism destinations in Wales is perfectly clear. As an organisation, Pembrokeshire Tourism are fortunate to work alongside the PCNPA team in developing the tourism opportunities and the Authority, alongside all of the partners involved in the Destination Pembrokeshire Partnership, remains committed to working together  to protect and preserve what makes Pembrokeshire so special.