Evaluation of the Coastal and Sustainable Tourism Projects

The goals of the projects were to:

• improve the attractiveness of natural and man-made facilities
• develop “Centres of Excellence” and spin-out activities
• develop marinas, cycle and walking trails
• improve access to the coast and countryside
• develop potential for sustainable recreation and economic activity.

The project drew on a range of evaluation strands including:

• reviewing project business plans, monitoring returns and annual reports for the project as a whole and the Centres of Excellence
• consultations with project managers, the Centre for Excellence managers, and responsible officers and relevant partners and stakeholders for many of the 50+ investment activities that were funded
• examination of the baseline, monitoring and evaluation evidence held for the investment activities
• specific commissioned research for the two projects such as that undertaken by Cardiff Business School estimating visitor and construction expenditure related economic impacts.