Funding green light for Wales International Coastal Centre

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, will visit Saundersfoot to announce £4 million of European Funding for a new Wales International Coastal Centre (November 1st).This is the final project to receive the go ahead under a programme of tourism destination improvements across Wales.The EU funding is being invested through the Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destination programme, led by Visit Wales, which aims to develop 11 must see destinations.The new centre in Saundersfoot builds on previous EU funding for investment in Saundersfoot as part of an ambitious development programme.The project is a transformational development for both Pembrokeshire and South Wales offering a high quality activity and events programme, with all-weather attractions and establishing Saundersfoot as a must see tourism destination for the region. It will establish new water activity venues and family activity facilities that complement and strengthen the Port’s current leisure and commercial maritime operation.The Wales International Coastal Centre will comprise of four linked developments: Marine Centre of Excellence and Coastal Storm Centre; National Events Deck; Ocean Square Heritage & Arts Centre; Coastal Schooner – historic tall ship recreation. Some of these developments are subject to planning.The Wales International Coastal Centre is the final of 11 destinations to get the green light for funding. The Tourism Attractor Destination project will see £62 million investment in the tourism sector over the next three years, including £ 27.7 million of European funding.Developments are well underway in all 11 destinations with the aim of all projects completing by February 2021. The other 10 destinations benefiting from this funding include Caernarfon; Holyhead; Pendine; Porthcawl; Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal; Llys y Fran; Vale of Rheidol; Colwyn Bay; Venue Cymru, Llandudno; and the Summit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil.