'City must follow Swansea's example'
SWANSEA needs to emulate its football club's success and build on the Premier League feelgood factor.
That is the view of one tourism expert, following a report which suggests the club's presence in the most popular league has been worth more than £58 million to the local economy.
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Swans fans during yesterday ’s FA Cup draw against Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium
The figure was contained in a report from professor Max Munday, from Cardiff Business School, which suggested not only had the Swans' promotion to the Premier League generated that figure for the Welsh economy, but it had also created or protected around 400 jobs, 340 in Swansea.
Those figures trounce estimates made in 2011, with a figure of £30 million being bandied around at that time — the boost Blackpool enjoyed following promotion.
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Terry Stevens, tourism analyst from Loughor-based Stevens & Associates, said he was cautiously pleased about the new numbers but emphasised that it was time for the city to match the players' success.
Mr Stevens said: "We are exactly in line with what the expectations were, according to the Max Munday report.
"What needs to be looked at now is how Swansea can capitalise on that success even further."
The £58 million figure is estimated to be the result of the Premier League knock-on effects generated among shops, hotels and other businesses in the region.
And one idea already mooted, supported by Mr Stevens, is an expanded Liberty Stadium to get more fans' bums on seats.
Currently the stadium has a 20,750 capacity, with plans to boost that up to 32,000.
More ambitious thinking is called for too, he suggests.
He said: "More could be done to offer packages and to recognise the number of high-end visitors the Premier League status brings in.
"For instance, there are people who would fly in by helicopter to see the match. There are people who would come by limousine.
"That end of the market could be capitalised upon to consolidate the success the city has seen already.
"In terms of packages we could say to visitors 'you have come to Swansea to see the game, how about returning for a holiday?'
"How about trying abseiling while you are here?"
In speaking to local businesses, Mr Stevens said he has heard encouraging reports of a material boost in trade, particularly from shoppers from abroad.
"Retailers are reporting an increase in Asian shoppers buying branded, high end goods — probably students at the university.
"So there is more of an awareness about Swansea overseas now."
And while the idea of the Cardiff City finding a space in the big league alongside their Swansea rivals might rankle some Swans supporters, that result could only mean further good news for the region, he added.
"I support Yeovil Town so it wouldn't bother me, but with Cardiff looking so strong and Swansea looking quite secure in the Premier League that can only mean very good news for South Wales as a whole."
Liberty is a fitting home — page 12
For more on the match — see sport pages and PostMatch pullout
Comments
by richie2803
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:21PM
“Who would want to follow Swansea's example??
http://tinyurl.com/ann5kt5”
by HaroldMonk
Monday, January 07 2013, 9:39PM
“The Kingsway is a disgrace. Full of run down and empty buildings.”
by jamesjSwansea
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:00PM
“£58 million? Who believes these staticians or academics. It certainly has not gone in my pocket, just the big chain businesses in Swansea.”
by Philosoraptor
Monday, January 07 2013, 3:58PM
“Wrong, South and West Glamorgan are Wales' 'Preserved Counties'. You don't know much do you, Lezz.
They are still used by many companies and governmental bodies to describe an area or region for which there may be one or more unitary authority areas. Seriously Lezz, if you are not going to bring any intelligence to any discussion then please don't bother turning up because all you are doing is wasting everybodies time.”
by Lezz_T
Monday, January 07 2013, 3:13PM
“West and South Glamorgan have not existed since 1996!”
by Philosoraptor
Monday, January 07 2013, 2:13PM
“South Glamorgan with a population in excess of 445,000 gets £452,572,000
West Glamorgan with a population in excess of 365,500 gets £331,821,000
We get less per head than what they do. Those are real figures. I will let you go and find them as you are always so kind to pass on where you get your figures from. You can download the funding numbers in excel format.”
by SAswan
Monday, January 07 2013, 1:59PM
“cardiff isn't a large city it's a small city like swansea”
by Lezz_T
Monday, January 07 2013, 1:06PM
“broadchav
If it is "fact" as you claim provide a link.”
by brochadav
Monday, January 07 2013, 12:35PM
“pyrene04, why does being the largest city in Wales mean it deserves gretaer funding than anywhere else in Wales. Government money should be spent according to need, not size.”
by brochadav
Monday, January 07 2013, 12:33PM
“Lezz T, it is a matter of fact that Cardiff has received funding far in excess of Swansea, at one point the ratio was 7-1, that's £7 spent in Cardiff by the WG for every pound spent in Swansea.
I have no idea what the current spending disparity is but Cardiff has been lavishly treated compared to the rest of Wales, no wonder it's booming.
This was reported on by the post I believe. But a freedom of information request should get up to date figures.
And the above is not just my opinion or made up, it is fact.”