New Visit Bridgend website launches as tourism and hospitality sector start to reopen

As parts of the tourism and hospitality sector start to reopen across Wales, Bridgend County Borough Council has launched a new destination brand and website, promoting places to visit in the area and providing information on activities and available accommodation.

The new platform, visitbridgend.co.uk, was originally planned to launch ahead of the Easter holidays, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Replacing the former BridgendBites website, the new site promotes the sea, summits and scenery of the county borough, and brings together an exciting range of activities, accommodation and places of interest.

The Leader, Cllr Huw David, said: “From our beautiful coastline with its blue-flag beaches, year-round surfing and world-class golf to historic sites and town centres, walking, hiking and cycling opportunities and a whole array of outdoor pursuits including kayaking and rock climbing, Bridgend County Borough has a huge amount to offer.

“With the requirement to stay local now lifted by Welsh Government, self-contained accommodation able to reopen and outdoor areas at pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants now available to enjoy, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors and encouraging residents to discover the adventure, history and activities that the area has to offer in a safe, sensible way.

“The launch of this new destination website comes at a crucial time for the visitor economy. A recent survey of local tourism businesses revealed that 64 per cent felt that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic had been significant, with 31 per cent facing potential closure and three per cent fearing that their businesses would not survive.

“To support the tourism and hospitality sector in preparing to reopen, the council and its partners are putting a series of measures in place, including tailored online support which will enable businesses to achieve the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and consumer mark.”

The new website has been partly funded by the Porthcawl Resort Infrastructure Focus project and supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destination programme, which has also developed the Water Sports Centre at Rest Bay, refurbished the Harbour Kiosk at Porthcawl Marina and created the Your Porthcawl social media campaign.

• You can take a closer look at what Bridgend County Borough has to offer at visitbridgend.co.uk

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and consumer mark has been created by VisitWales in partnership with other national tourist organisations. It means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective government and public health guidance, have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place.

To obtain the mark, businesses must complete a self-assessment through the Visit Britain online platform, which includes a check-list confirming that they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in their premises and online. The scheme is free to join, and open to all businesses across the industry.