Leisure At The Local Scale: Wales

1
Leisure At The Local Scale Wales
2
The Brecon Beacons

• The Brecon Beacons National Park is located in
  the South of Wales and is one of the closest
  National Parks to people living in cities such as
  London, Birmingham, and Bristol.
• The Llanthony Valley is a microcosm of all that
  is bad about Tourism.
• Tourists bring little or no benefit to the area,
  but cause disruptions, irritations, and problems.

3
Conflict

• Farmers have at times experienced difficulty
  moving animals and large machinery, found their
  gates blocked, and been disrupted by
  pony-trekkers and sightseers driving slowly.
• For the tourists, the trip is merely a
  pleasurable drive and they gain little or no
  understanding about the community, the landscape,
  or the heritage that they have passed through.

4
Integration

• Nevertheless, it is possible to integrate local
  communities into tourism.
• One attempt to involve the local community in
  tourism in Wales is the South Pembrokeshire
  Partnership for Action with Rural Communities
  (SPARC).

5
SPARC Action Plan

• Improved infrastructure, footpaths, and routes
  linking tourist sites. Residents have become
  involved by
• Local produce is used wherever possible.
• The majority of visitors stay in locally owned
  and managed accommodation.
• The service sector is locally owned.
• Local manufacturers are encouraged to tap the
  tourist market for gifts, souvenirs, crafts, and
  other projects.

6
Activity

1. What problems does the Brecon Beacons in Wales
   experience?
2. How have decision makers tried to manage the
   problems caused in this area?
3. Imagine you work for the National Trust
   summarise the potential benefits and drawbacks of
   the following strategies in order to improve the
   area Sheep Grazing Ban, Revegetation, Footpath
   Repair.