6. Will the Minister outline how the Welsh Government is using major events to promote tourism in South Wales West? OAQ55052

Well, before I respond, I wanted to first take up this opportunity to pay tribute to Swansea councillor Sybil Crouch, who recently passed away. I know many friends and colleagues in this place and across the country held her in great esteem. Sybil was the first, and so far the only, woman to chair the Arts Council of Wales. She was a person who could easily be described as the vanguard of arts and culture, not just in the south-west, but right across Wales. I've seen tributes pouring in praising her contribution to Welsh politics and culture. Sybil dedicated her life to curating remarkable things for this country, and I'd like to place on record our thanks on behalf of this Welsh Government.

But, in answer to your question, the new international strategy and tourism action plan makes clear our commitment to supporting and investing in international and home-grown events, including business events, and to attracting and developing events that promote tourism in all parts of Wales, including south-west Wales.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Wales is an emerging tourist destination, and, as of 2017, Wales's estimated turnover is £4.8 billion. Tourism is an important part of my region's economy, having the beauty of Gower and the seaside town of Porthcawl. The Liberty Stadium appears to be underutilised and lacks the number of sporting and music festivals that we see, perhaps, in Cardiff. So, Minister, how are you planning to capitalise on the beauty of our country by hosting larger events outside of Cardiff, which will promote economic growth in South Wales West?

Thank you. Well, you'll be aware that the new tourism strategy has now been launched, and I know that major events is a part of that strategy. We're currently undertaking a review of major events and I'm hoping that we'll look at some of these issues in that context, because I think one of the things that's happened in the past is that we're just constantly waiting for people to come and present us with ideas, and sometimes I think we need to be encouraging people in particular areas to come forward with some ideas for major events. We've been working very closely with local authorities over the years, but, obviously, there's a pot of money that we can only use once. So, the key thing is, I think, for people to come up with really creative ideas in terms of what they think will bring more people into the area and bring that essential extra revenue that is so crucial to developing our communities.

The Swansea Bay city region is about raising economic confidence in my region and beyond, but, alongside that, the local authority in Swansea is attempting to regenerate the city centre, including the construction of the new Swansea digital arena. So, along with the International Convention Centre, this substantially increases the capacity for conferences and major events in south Wales altogether, but particularly in my region. So, can you say how the Welsh Government's new tourism strategy will support the growth of new and refurbished quality visitor accommodation within accessible distance of this new arena? Thank you.

Well, I think, in relation to the tourism strategy, it's best directed to my colleague. I know that there is some additional capital expenditure that's going in this year, and I'm hoping that that will generate some opportunities. But, certainly, in terms of the digital arena and other projects in that area, one of the things you'll find in the international strategy is a list in the annex of all the magnet projects that we're trying to use as methods of attracting people throughout Wales. And certainly I spoke to Swansea council about what they would want to see in terms of the kind of magnets that would pull people into the area for further investment.