A STUDY OF THE REGENERATION PRACTISES OF TRADITIONAL WELSH SEASIDE RESORTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PORTHCAWL & BARRY ISLAND

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the regeneration practises of traditional Welsh seaside resorts, comparing Barry Island and Porthcawl as case studies. The project consisted of five chapters, an introduction that provided relevant background information surrounding seaside tourism and highlighted the research aim and objectives. A literature review which explored the existing literature including tourism life cycle theories, destination management, destination regeneration, motivational theories and regeneration at seaside resorts. The methodology chapter discussed the choice of research methods and justified why quantitative, qualitative and case study approach methods were implemented. The next chapter presented the results of the quantitative and qualitative data for the researcher to complete analysis to identify patterns or similarities between the two destinations. Finally, the last chapter presented conclusions by reviewing the key findings and then make recommendations for future research. For the research aim and objectives to be fulfilled, the researcher collected the primary data via quantitative and qualitative methods. These consisted of 121 online self-administrated questionnaires and two semi-structured interviews. The results of the questionnaires were presented in graphs and pie charts to complete statistical analysis which allowed the researcher to explore the trends of visitors’ experiences at Barry Island and Porthcawl. In addition, the two semi-structured interviews were transcribed and key statements was compared in the context of destination challenges and destination regeneration. From this, the researcher used thematic analysis to highlight and compare important themes that emerged from the interviews. From the findings of the literature and primary research, the researcher created a conceptual framework that can be applied to seaside resorts as a tool to plan regeneration strategies.