Coast & Countryside

Local boys Ken Owens, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams and Rhys Priestland show their support for tourism in Carmarthenshire. Like Golf? Why not read Stephen Jones’ guide to golf in Carmarthenshire.

Promote Your Tourism Business in Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire is the 4th most popular tourist destination in Wales. Each year over 3 million people come here on holiday.

The tourism sector is responsible for employing over 6,000 people in the county and contributes over £350,000,000 to the local economy each year.

Although tourism isn’t a statutory responsibility of local authorities, Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) is a major stakeholder in delivering growth in this sector. Through its Marketing & Tourism section they carry out a diverse and innovative range of marketing activities including primary research gathering and product development. They also facilitate a comprehensive action plan to ensure local tourism businesses are fully supported in their activities.

Our aim is to always support the local area’s wider ambitions for driving enterprise, growth and employment. We make sure that tourism is always linked to the broader economic agenda by working closely with the Economic Development Division as well as the department for business and community development and physical regeneration. To ensure the wider success of our strategies we provide both destination management and destination marketing. This ensures that, as well as the development of individual attractions, we are also able to develop the wider networks that support them.

Our aims in 2012:

1. Effectively promote Carmarthenshire as a vibrant area to visit and stay.
2. Ensure Tourism is well represented at all CCC levels and in destination management.
3. Carry out strategic reports and research (STEAM).
4. Act as catalyst and relationship builder with private, public & 3rd Sectors.

Our Promotional Campaigns
We use a wide range of promotional techniques to ensure that Carmarthenshire is well represented.

Carmarthenshire is included in direct mail & brochure campaigns, on and off-line, in places such as The Premier Collection, UK Holiday Collection, Autumn Breaks Collection and Where to go in Britain. These campaigns generated over 40,000 direct requests for the main area printed guide in 2010 (available in digital or hard copy). We also commissioned over 600 adverts on seasonal radio campaigns in Bristol & Gloucester.

2011 also saw the targeted, paid distribution of 500,000 Days out Guides, 400,000 Beaches & Coves leaflets, 300,000 Caravanning & Camping leaflets and 80,000 What’s on Guides. All Carmarthenshire’s attractions and facilities were also included in Visit Wales £2million national and international campaigns. Carmarthenshire also enjoyed promotion in Tourist Information Centres and other council facilities as well as a year round public relations campaign through our PR support agency.

Applying to become a promotional Partner
If you wish to feature in our main A4 holiday guide, or any promotion that we are involved in, then please contact us at or Click here for application form.

Applying for Brown Tourism Signs
Brown signs are intended to prevent people who know where they want to go from getting lost. They aren’t allowed to act as advertising for businesses or attractions. They are common all over the UK and form an important part of our tourism support program.

Click here for an application form.

Applying for Tourism Event Promotional Support
Events that are capable of raising the profile of Carmarthenshire, attracting visitors from new markets and sectors and bringing clear and identifiable economic benefits can now look to seek financial support directly from Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC). The County Council wishes to work with those who currently organise, or who wish to organise, an event in Carmarthenshire by providing up to £5,000 to promote any one event (or series of connected events). Please click here for the application form.

Press and PR Support
We're pleased to help with all media enquiries about travel, tourist and visitor information in Carmarthenshire. As the area's official tourist information provider, we can help you plan an itinerary or press day, supply you with photography, arrange interviews, discuss potential filming locations and more. For more information on how to promote your tourism business in Carmarthenshire please email marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

We Are Here To Help
Please contact us for help if...

• You are thinking of buying a tourism business.
• You need help promoting your tourism business in Carmarthenshire.
• You are planning to refurbish or develop your business.
• You are nearly ready to open.
• You have a problem or don’t know who to talk to.

Stakeholders Club
Twice a year we hold meetings for Carmarthenshire Holiday Guide advertisers. If you wish to be invited to the next stakeholders club please send your name, address, and business details to

Our Promotional Materials:
Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) Tourism and Marketing Department produces a number of marketing materials to promote the attractions and businesses in the local area.

• Carmarthenshire Holiday Guide - This is the county’s leading destination marketing tool. It covers all areas of Carmarthenshire, including the Brecon Beacons national park. We produce 100,000 copies which are annually distributed in response to direct enquiries, our own advertising campaigns and campaigns in partnership with Visit Wales and South West Wales Tourism Partnership.
• Days out guide / What’s on - The Days Out Guide is aimed at people that are already in the county. 100,000 copies are distributed each year in local shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels by a number of external distribution companies.
• Fishing guide - This guide is aimed at the fishing market. 100,000 copies are distributed each year in response to direct enquiries and our own advertising campaigns.
• Carmarthenshire Dog Friendly Holidays - A guide to dog-friendly accommodation, attractions & activities, plus information on beach access and relevant local shops and services such as veterinary surgeries and kennels.
• Web site - discovercarmarthenshire.com - Our website is the official destination consumer website for the county. The site gets over 200,000 unique 'real' visitors each year. All advertisers in the above publications also receive an entry on the website. The statistics package on the site has been designed to identify the number of unique visitors to each individual accommodation provider’s website. Using this tool, we can help you identify exactly how well your entry is performing. By using the latest, most effective SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and online marketing techniques we ensure that the website is always performing to its full potential.

Public/Media Relations
Our PR team are constantly looking for news from Carmarthenshire’s tourism sector which can be used to promote the area to the UK and overseas travel media. These may include:

• New developments and facilities on your premises.
• New services, products or offers.
• Plans for the future.
• Innovations, awards, citations etc.