Gower Holidays is backing Swansea’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021

23rd October 2017
Evening in the dunes at Swansea Bay

GOWER HOLIDAYS is delighted to announce that we are backing the bid and supporting Swansea’s campaign to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Swansea is one of the five shortlisted cities for the UK City of Culture 2021 title, along with Coventry, Paisley, Sunderland and Stoke-on-Trent. If successful, it will bring significant social and economic benefits to Swansea and the region. The current UK City of Culture, Hull, is estimated to enjoy an economic boost of at least £60 million whilst already having seen a £1 billion boost in investment since being announced the winner of the title. We want Swansea to enjoy the same benefits or greater!


GOWER HOLIDAYS
is in full support of the bid and is calling on its CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS to join them in backing the bid.

“It would be wonderful for Swansea to be named UK City of Culture 2021.  We have such diversity in our city and I really think that we can showcase some of the best of what Wales has to offer, both to the UK and to the wider global audience.  Please join me in supporting the bid.”  Selina Taylor, Gower Holidays

The Swansea 2021 bid team includes Swansea Council, Welsh Government, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Authority, Museums Wales, Tidal Lagoon, creative professionals, businesses and arts and cultural leaders. All are working together to ensure the outcomes in the Swansea bid for the Swansea people and economy are as strong as possible.

Leader of Swansea Council, Councillor Rob Stewart, said:

“We are delighted to have GOWER HOLIDAYS backing our bid for UK City of Culture 2021. We’re working hard to secure this status and its benefits for the city and region so having this type of support is vital”.

Winning UK City of Culture would be a fantastic opportunity for Swansea which would benefit everyone in the city. Hull’s UK City of Culture 2017 status has already seen a £1billion boost investment in the city – alongside pride, new jobs and improved reputation. This really does have the ability to transform Swansea forever.

We need to show the judging panel that we need it, we want it and we can deliver it. Having the support of the city shows that, so we are urging everyone to get behind us by backing the bid.”

 

What is the UK City of Culture?

The UK City of Culture is a title given to a city for one year during which it creates a programme of local, national and international events which becomes a catalyst for investment, regeneration and economic growth.

The title, which is awarded once every four years, is administered and judged by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The inaugural holder was Derry-Londonderry in 2013, with Hull taking over the title this year. Both cities have reported significant social and economic benefits from holding the title. Winning UK City of Culture status could do wonders for Swansea’s economy, delivery a multi million pound boost for the city.

 

What do we get if we win?

Winning the UK City of Culture brings significant social and economic benefits.

To illustrate, Liverpool welcomed an extra 9.7 million visitors to their city during their European Capital of Culture year in 2008 – an increase of 35%. Derry-Londonderry, who took the first UK City of Culture title in 2013, reported that the accolade added £47 million to its coffers. Hull, the most recent UK City of Culture winner, is estimated to enjoy an economic boost of at least £60 million whilst already having seen a £1 billion boost in investment since being announced the winner of the title in 2013.

Of course, there are many other benefits to be gained by winning this title which are beyond financial dividends. The international and national exposure enjoyed by UK City of Culture winners, and the feelgood factor and sense of pride this fosters among the city inhabitants, is worth its weight in gold.

 

How you can back the bid

You can show your support by following #Swansea2021 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and checking out www.swansea 2021.co.uk to find out other ways in which you can back the bid.