Welsh Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Engendering Community Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability in the Lower Swansea Valley

Abstract

Flynn provides both an historic and contemporary insight into the industrial development of the Lower Swansea Valley, South Wales.

The research charts the development of heavy industry, specifically copper smelting and its related industrial heritage from the 1700s onwards through to its eventual demise in the twentieth century. This is then followed by an appraisal of the more recent and innovative industry developments in the region, most notably, tourism and recreation. The benefits of tourism are examined, especially current heritage tourism-led regeneration strategies in the Lower Swansea Valley.

The chapter considers the importance of both past and present industries with respect to their socio-economic, environmental and political impacts.

The primary research which forms the basis of the study was collected in the form of several qualitative interviews.