Wales Coast Path Business toolkit

A unique opportunity in Wales

The Wales Coast Path offers 870 miles of business potential. This scenic route around the coast of Wales attracts thousands of visitors each year, providing a unique experience in Wales.

The Wales Coast Path is a renowned international brand, connecting your business to a diverse consumer market. From young families to retired couples, singles to adventure seekers – our toolkit can help you turn these visitors into your customers. Use the toolkit to market to both new and returning visitors and highlight your business's proximity to the Wales Coast Path.

About the Wales Coast Path

Welcome to the Wales Coast Path. Our free online resources are here to help you market your business using the appeal of the 870-mile-long Wales Coast Path. It is one of the few footpaths in the world that follows a nation's coastline. Brisk walking on the path benefits mental and physical health, providing people of all ages and abilities with a fantastic opportunity to form positive exercise habits.

Walking Facts
•    Half an hour strolling: Burns 75 calories
•    Half an hour walking: Burns 99 calories
•    Half an hour fast walking: Burns 150 calories
(Source: At least five a week, Department of Health, 2004)

Path facts and figures

The Wales Coast Path is 870 miles or 1,400 kilometres long. It starts and finishes on the Welsh and English border in the north, near Chester, and in Chepstow in the south. The official halfway point in New Quay, Ceredigion, is marked by a sculpture overlooking the harbour, wishing travellers good luck.

The path connects with the National Trails in Wales, which go through some of the best landscapes in the UK, marked with an acorn logo. It links with three Welsh National Trails: Glyndwr’s Way at Machynlleth, Offa’s Dyke Path in Prestatyn, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail. You can also pick up the Cambrian Way, a challenging trail from Cardiff to Conwy.

The Anglesey coastal path, Ceredigion coast path, and Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail are also part of the path. The path is free to enjoy, open all year round, and you can walk around the entire country of Wales by combining the Wales Coast Path and Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail – a total of about 1,047 miles or 1,685 kilometres. Find out more About The Path

The official guidebooks for the path are published by Northern Eye Books. The Llyn Peninsula (Bangor to Porthmadog) guidebook is available in Welsh from the Book Council for Wales. Read more about the official guidebooks 

Your business opportunity

Here are some ideas about what you can offer your customers that will appeal to Coast Path walkers:
•    Clothes Drying Facility: Provide a place for walkers to dry their clothes.
•    Collection from Bus or Train Stops: Offer a pick-up service from nearby bus or train stops.
•    Bus & Train Timetables: Provide up-to-date public transport timetables.

Make sure to offer contact details for useful local businesses, such as taxis, bike hire, and car hire services.
•    Maps and Walks: Offer downloadable maps and information on walks from your website.
•    Free Drinks and Snacks for Dogs: Provide refreshments for walkers' canine companions.
•    Free Dog Poo Bags: Help keep the path clean by offering free dog poo bags.
•    Luggage Collection: Offer a luggage collection service for walkers.

Provide packed lunches and share your local knowledge about the best coastal walks and great places to go for a drink or lunch.
•    Walking Sticks: Lend walking sticks to those who need them.
•    Secure Bicycle Park: Provide a safe place for cyclists to park their bikes.
•    Safety Information: Offer safety information, including tide timetables.

Consider joining Visit Wales' Welcome Awards (which include walkers) to obtain a welcome award and ensure you provide essential facilities and services for cyclists and walkers. Read more about the Welcome Awards 

Top tips to enhance your business appeal

Maximising the potential of the Wales Coast Path can significantly enhance your business's appeal and reach. By leveraging the unique opportunities presented by this iconic 870-mile trail, you can attract a diverse range of visitors, from avid walkers to casual explorers. Here are some top tips to help you make the most of the Wales Coast Path, ensuring your business stands out and provides an exceptional experience for all who visit.

Use the Vist Wales business insights to increase awareness of the different aspects of the tourism sector in Wales. 

Wales Coast Path leaflets are available to order online (for a small fee), which can be displayed for your guests to take away. Find out more about the leaflets 

You can use Wales Coast Path images on your website, in brochures, or via social media such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. These images can also illustrate hotel and Bed and Breakfast bedroom browsers and make information you send to customers more interesting.

When building custom, remember to retain existing customers. Here are some ideas:

• Run a competition on your website linked to a Coast Path event.
• Offer walkers discounts on your products and services.
• Provide a special “Walker’s breakfast” showcasing fresh Welsh produce.
• Offer free maps, lifts to walk starting points, and contact numbers for taxis.
• Advertise that your hotel or B&B has special facilities for walkers, such as a room for drying wet walking gear.
• Create a loyalty card to reward repeat custom from Coast Path walkers.
• Provide guests with free maps and put up tide timetables for them to read.

Media familiarisation visits (FAM visits) are a great way to promote your company. Visit Wales, your local authority tourism team, and the Wales Coast Path all organise media FAM visits. Get in touch to see if your business can take part. Working with such partners takes care of much of the worry of organising a FAM visit, and you can be assured that great thought will have been given to devising an interesting and varied programme for the visitors.

Keep Visit Wales posted with your news and developments by emailing productnews@gov.wales

Help with your marketing

To easily increase the reach of your marketing, send your information out to a range of outlets, including:

• Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram to interact with potential customers. Follow and tag @walescoastpath on social media to engage with us.
• Newspapers, Radio, Magazines & TV: From community websites to regional or national publications or specialist magazines, there are many outlets that might carry information about your business.
• Influencers and Bloggers: Tap into the online community of people who write about walking, travel, holidays, or Wales as a place to visit. Contact bloggers who write for family, child, or dog-friendly markets.
• Specialist Networks: Target organisations and associations involved in walking, outdoor activities, food and drink, local history, and more.
• Local Community Partnerships: Work with tourism associations and business groupings to promote your local area. Develop joint promotional activities with complementary businesses.

Getting the best from your website

People browsing websites to decide where to visit, stay, or eat are notoriously fickle. If they don’t like the look of your site or can’t find the information they want quickly, they will go elsewhere. Here are some tips:

• Get to the point: Use bite-sized chunks of information. Attention spans are short.
• Keep it clean and simple: Ensure your text is readable and not obscured by background images or distracting elements. Use a white background for clarity.
• Access from all devices: Ensure your website can be viewed on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
• Link with your social media: Update your social media platforms with links highlighting new content on your site. The more engagement your site gets, the higher it will rank in search engines.
• Images and film: Use good quality images to attract web visitors.

Before your guests arrive

Preparing for your guests' arrival is key to ensuring they have a memorable and enjoyable experience on the Wales Coast Path. By offering thoughtful amenities and resources, you can enhance their visit and showcase the best of what the Welsh coastline has to offer. Here are some essential tips to help you get ready before your guests arrive, ensuring they have everything they need for a fantastic adventure along the path.

• Plan your Visit - Tell your guests about the useful resources to help visitors plan their visit including an interactive map, distance tables, or temporary path diversions. 
• Remember to say the path is also on Google Street View – perfect for researching what the path looks like before they arrive and to check out your local section of the path.
• Walking Itineraries - Discover new and exciting ways to explore the Welsh coastline with our new walking itineraries covering the entire 870-mile trail. These itineraries are designed to help both locals and visitors make the most of their journey along the Wales Coast Path.
• Wales Coast Path app - Enhance your path experience with our map-based app, available on smart devices like phones and tablets. The app allows you to stay on track by seeing your location, record your progress and upload retrospective walks, suggest nearby walk and shows points of interest along the the path. Search for “The Wales Coast Path” on both iOS and Android devices to download the app. 

Go to Plan your Visit for more information

Capitalising on the seasons

The Wales Coast Path offers a great opportunity to extend the visitor season. Early spring and late autumn are perfect times for walking, with dramatic natural scenery changes and wild seas. Find relevant seasonal events to enhance your visitors' experience. Find events on or near the path

Involve your team

Get your staff involved in promoting your business. Ensure they share your business values and understand your ambitions and goals. Brief them on what the Coast Path offers walkers, including details on walks, bus, and tide timetables. Encourage them to participate in the Wales Ambassador Scheme to help promote your business. Sign up for free to the Wales Ambassador Programme

Whilst your guests are there

Ensuring your guests have a fantastic stay while visiting the Wales Coast Path is crucial for creating lasting memories and encouraging repeat visits. By providing thoughtful amenities and resources, you can enhance their experience and showcase the beauty of the Welsh coastline.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your guests' stay, ensuring they have everything they need for an enjoyable and safe adventure along the path:

• Walking books and maps: Offer walking books and maps for hire to help guests explore the area.
• Printed itineraries and timetables: Provide printed itineraries, bus timetables, and tide tables for easy reference.
• Services for walkers: Offer special services tailored to walkers' needs.
• Social media influencers: Follow and engage with social media influencers in your area to stay updated and connected.

Social media

Social media offers great ways to interact with potential customers, post information and comments, and respond to what others are posting. Follow us on @walescoastpath and tag our account.  Engage with us, for a share, comment, or like and we'll do our best to reciprocate.

• Reels: keep it authentic and tag @walescoastpath.
• Facebook community: introduce yourself and engage with the community.
• Follow Visit Wales: stay updated with industry news by following Visit Wales and Visit Wales Business accounts.
• Cross-promote: share content with National Trails social media accounts Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndŵrs Way on Facebook
• Read the latest news: stay updated on news about the path. Subscribe to our newsletters 
• Visit Wales Product Database: Make your business more visible for business opportunities on the Visit Wales Travel Trade website. Sign up to register and promote your business
• Campaigns: get in touch with Visit Wales to offer your business for campaigns.
• Local authority tourism teams: highlight your business for FAM visits.
• Inspiration: follow accounts like Visit Wales, North Wales Tourism, Mid Wales Tourism, Cadw, National Trust, and Food & Drink Wales for inspiration.

Facebook

Show off your business with pictures of the Wales Coast Path or have visitors give video recommendations. Join the Wales Coast Path Facebook online community to ask questions, share inspiration, and get recommendations. Remember, do not use the community for self-promotion. Follow us on Facebook 

Instagram

Use Instagram to showcase your business with images of the Wales Coast Path or the Welsh coastline. Invite people to come and enjoy the path and stay, eat, or visit your business. Follow us on Instagram

YouTube

 The Wales Coast Path has wonderful films from across Wales. Visit our YouTube channel and share the content on your social media channels. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

X (formerly Twitter)

Connect with other coastal businesses and share special offers with your followers. Follow Visit Wales and other relevant organisations to stay connected.

Hashtags

We track what’s trending about the path on social media by using hashtags. You can use hashtags like #walescoastpath, #coastofwales, #walescoast, #coast, #coastal, #walking, and #Welshcoast 
For Welsh, use #llwybrarfordircymru, #arfordircymru, #arfordir, #cerddedarfordir, and #cerddedyrarfordir

Accessible walks

The Wales Coast Path is designed for everyone to enjoy. With its 870-mile length, there are plenty of stretches suitable for wheelchair users, families with buggies, and visitors with limited mobility. Use Google Street View to check the parking, viewpoints, and for any facilities needed for a great day out. Local teams are continuously improving access to the path. Go to our Accessible Walks page for comprehenensive local information 

We recommend following Amanda Harris on Instagram @amandascoastalchallenge. Amanda navigates the Wales Coast Path in her wheelchair and trike, sharing her experiences and suggesting accessible walks for wheelchair users.

Responsible recreation and the Countryside Code

It's important that everyone using the Wales Coast Path enjoys it responsibly. The Countryside Code is a guide to enjoying parks, waterways, coast, and countryside. Visitors can familiarise themselves with the Countryside Code’s messages before setting out. The countryside is a living and working environment for many, so it's crucial to respect everyone, protect the environment, and enjoy the outdoors. Find out more about the Countryside Code

The Countryside Code helps achieve this by: 

•    Respect everyone
•    Protect the environment
•    Enjoy the outdoors

You can also use the Countryside Code Toolkit and the Countryside Code YouTube playlist to share the messages of the Countryside Code on your channels.

Top tips for dog walkers

The Coast Path is a perfect place to take your four-legged companion. Here are some tips to ensure visitors and their dogs stay happy, responsible, and safe:

• Ensure your dog is under effective control, which means having a short lead with you to use when needed, for example, around livestock, near cliff edges, or fast-flowing rivers, or where signage requests it).
• Do not let your dog off the lead unless you keep it in sight and close enough to come back to you on command.
• Prevent your dog from approaching horse riders, cyclists, or other people and their dogs uninvited.
• Never let your dog worry or chase wildlife or livestock. Follow advice on local signs to reduce disturbance to plants and animals.
• Always bag and bin your dog’s poo wherever you are. You can use any public waste bin or your bin at home.
• If you’re worried about your dog's safety, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

 Find out more about the Dog Walking Code 

Top tips for walking around livestock

Remember to stay SAFE when walking around animals and horses:

• Stop, look, and listen before entering a field; be aware of any animals present.
• Always keep your dog on a short lead if you cannot rely on it returning to you on command.
• Find the safest route around animals, giving them plenty of space and using paths or access land where possible.
• Exit the area calmly and quickly if threatened, releasing your dog to make it easier for you both to reach safety.
  
• Keeping safe on the path

Remind your customers of the importance of staying safe and being adventure smart when walking the Wales Coast Path. Showing that you care about their safety is crucial. Include these top tips on your website, in your marketing leaflets, or in your bedroom browser.

Keeping safe on the path

Remind your customers of the importance of staying safe and being adventure smart when walking the Wales Coast Path. Showing that you care about their safety is crucial. Include these top tips on your website, in your marketing leaflets, or in your bedroom browser.

• Know your route: Check maps and websites, look out for any warning signs, and ask about local risks.
• Check weather and tides: Always check the weather and tides just before you leave.
• Plan ahead: Plan your route and let someone know when to expect you back. Ensure your mobile is charged.
• Stay energised: Keep your energy levels up by taking food and water with you.
• Wear the right gear: Wear good quality, dry, waterproof clothing. Take spare socks and tops, even if the weather looks good. Wear shoes or boots designed for walking.
• Carry sunscreen: Remember, strong winds can cause sunburn too.
• Be cautious: Take care not to slip, trip, or fall. Stay away from edges and overhangs along the Coast Path. Do not climb cliffs or sit under them.
• Road safety: Be careful when walking along or crossing roads and railways.
• Respect wildlife: Discover the wildlife on beaches but remember to look and not touch.
• Know how to get help: In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Respect the water

If you fall unexpectedly into cold water, fight your instinct to thrash around or swim hard. Instead, relax and float on your back to catch your breath. Once the cold water shock has passed, call for help, find something buoyant to hold on to, or swim for safety if you’re able to. For more information, get in touch with your local RNLI lifeboat station or RNLI lifeguard team. Read about Water Safety Advice And Tips - Know The Risks

Adventure Smart Wales

Help your visitors experience their unique moments in the great outdoors in Wales safely. Adventure Smart Wales offers useful hints and tips to enjoy outdoor adventures like coasteering, hill walking, and open water swimming safely. Find out more about Adventure Smart Wales

Maps and walking Itineraries

We recommend carrying a map (paper or digital version) and recognising the Wales Coast Path waymarking to help visitors stay on the path, to help visitors make the most of their time, including suggested walking itineraries. Go to Plan your Visit page for more information

Tide timetables

Provide your customers with details of tide times to make sure they don’t get stranded on their walks. View Tide Tables BBC Weather  

Other useful resources

Using the various resources available for the Wales Coast Path can significantly enhance your business's offerings and appeal. By tapping into these valuable tools and materials, you can provide your guests with a richer, more informed experience while showcasing the best of the Welsh coastline. Here are some essential resources to help you make the most of the Wales Coast Path, ensuring your business stands out and delivers exceptional service to all visitors.

Wales Coast Path shop

Official merchandise for the Wales Coast Path is available to buy online. The range includes branded mementos, clothing, and gifts, including bespoke items made by Welsh producers. All products are ethically sourced, and profits go back to maintaining the path. Businesses interested in stocking some of the product range can contact sales@promotionalwarehouse.co.uk to discuss opportunities. Browse shop

Promoting Wales

The Cymru Wales brand hub offers a wealth of digital assets representing the best of Wales. You can search an extensive library of high-quality photographic imagery, videos, illustrations, infographics, logos, and other supporting materials. These assets can be used for editorial, promotional, or marketing purposes within the terms of use. For access to brand logos, complete a simple request form. Find out more about the Cymru Wales brand

Using the Welsh language

Our unique language is a tremendous asset. Using Welsh can make your business distinctive. Access the Hello Blod translation service for free translations up to 500 words, with a same-day service. 

'Walkers Welcome' message in key foreign language:

• Welsh: Croeso i gerddwyr
• French: Marcheurs bienvenus
• German: Wanderer willkommen
• Italian: Camminatori benvenuti
• Dutch: Wandelaars welkom
• Spanish: Caminantes bienvenidos

Images

High-quality images of the Wales Coast Path are free to download to entice visitors to Wales. A quick registration is required to access the images. Download images from Visit Wales Brand Hub 

Film

Our YouTube account features a diverse range of high-quality films and interviews with people from all walks of life talking about what the path means to them. Feel free to link to these videos from your websites and social media channels. Go to Wales Coast Path YouTube channel

Marketing materials

Cut and paste or download resources for your website, social media activity, leaflets, and bedroom browsers to give your customers valuable information that will enhance their visit

Using our logo

You can request our logos to use in your marketing for the positive promotion of the path. The “Wales Coast Path Welcoming Walkers logo” can be downloaded and used on your website or in your marketing literature. We also have an advert poster that you can display in your reception or in visitor areas. Download the advert poster

Reduce single use plastic

Refill Cymru is an award-winning campaign to prevent plastic pollution by making it easier to reuse and refill bottles. Businesses with publicly accessible taps can register as refill stations on the Refill app, benefiting from increased exposure and footfall. Blue window stickers show commitment to reducing single-use plastics and welcome people who may be unsure about asking for a free water refill. Refill stations can be any business, not just cafés or restaurants. Sign up to Refill Cymru scheme

Be a green business

The demand for sustainable living has increased, and tourism businesses should prioritize reducing/recycling waste, supporting local produce, and significantly reducing single-use plastics. Visitors to the path provide economic benefits to the local area. Business Wales offers a marketing handbook with guidance on being more eco-friendly with water, waste, travel, supply chain, and energy. Find out more information on sustainable tourism in Wales

Welsh food and drink

Wales has a strong tradition of living off the land, with organic farmers’ markets, artisan producers, food festivals, and award-winning restaurants. Welcome your guests with traditional Welsh fare such as cawl, leeks, Bara Brith, Glamorgan sausages, Welsh cakes, and local artisan cheeses, meats, biscuits, and beverages. Mentera is an organisation supporting busineses and communities across Wales. They can help you connect with local suppliers in your area. Find out more about traditional Welsh food and drink

TXGB

TXGB is a digital platform bringing tourism businesses together to drive sales and boost productivity by connecting the market in a new and unique way. Contact the Visit Wales Industry team for more information

Get involved

Getting involved and encouraging your staff to participate in promoting the Wales Coast Path can significantly enhance your business's appeal and visitor experience. By fostering a team that shares your enthusiasm for the path, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with guests. Here are some tips to help you and your staff get involved, ensuring you maximise the potential of visitors to the Wales Coast Path and provide an exceptional experience for all.

Wales Ambassador Scheme

The Wales Ambassador Scheme (WAS) launched in 2019 as a set of free online courses introducing different areas and attractions in Wales. The scheme continues to grow, welcoming a range of Ambassadors including local people, accommodation and attraction providers, shops, pubs, students, library staff, tourism information staff, tour guides, and volunteers. Access the scheme online for great content on the Wales Coast Path and National Trails, as well as business advice. Sign up to the Wales Ambassador Scheme

Travel Trade 

Visit Wales offers a wide range of tools to support you in marketing your business internationally. Go to Visit Wales Travel Trade website for more information

Visit Britain offers a wide range of tools to support you in marketing your business internationally. For more information, go to Visit Britain Travel Trade website

Tourism industry in Wales

Visit Wales issue regular newsletters which are ideal for keeping up to date with latest news and development specific for the Welsh tourism industry. Discover more resources to help the Welsh tourism industry

Local tourism trade

For those in the tourism and leisure business, there are dedicated sites with ideas on promotions and how to work with professional marketers. Contact your local tourism team for a tourism trade site in your area. A good example to look at is Swansea Council tourism team

Collaborate with local businesses

Work together with other local businesses to maximise resources. Speak to other business owners along the Wales Coast Path to explore joint marketing initiatives. These initiatives can help you reach a larger audience by combining customer databases and extending your product and service range.

Citizen science on the path

Encourage your guests to be citizen scientists on the path. The CoastSnap project focuses on recording changes to the Welsh Coast. Walkers can help by capturing images of the coastline year-round and sending them in to help us understand how our coastline is changing. These images contribute to a global citizen science project. Look out for our phone camera mounts on your coast path journey or check the up-to-date locations. Locations include Llandudno prom, Aberystwyth, Tenby, Porthcawl and Cardiff Bay Barrage amongst others. Find out more about CoastSnap on the path

Stay updated

• Our regular newsletters feature updates on what's happening along the path, new developments, and plenty of useful information to help your customers make the most of their time on the path. Subscribe to the Wales Coast Path newsletters 
• Sign up to the Visit Wales Product database by emailing product@visitwales.gov.uk details of your business.
• Get in touch with your local tourism team to highlight your business for press visits.
• Follow relevant accounts for inspiration and ideas for reasons to visit.

Best practice examples

Learning from the best practices of other successful business owners can provide invaluable insights and strategies for marketing your business to visitors of the Wales Coast Path. By observing and adopting proven techniques, you can enhance your own marketing efforts and attract more visitors.

Here are some examples of effective marketing practices from businesses that have successfully tapped into the potential of the Wales Coast Path, helping you to maximise your reach and impact. Their posts are welcoming, customer-focused, and include a clear call to action like "book now." They often feature stunning pictures of the Welsh coastline and the path:

• Go to Aberporth Coastal Holidays on Instagram
• Go to Banc-yr-Eithin Hideaways on Instagram
• Go to SeaWatch Mumbles Holiday House on Instagram

What's new

Staying updated with the latest developments and resources is essential for effectively promoting your business to visitors of the Wales Coast Path. By keeping abreast of new initiatives, campaigns, and tools, you can enhance your marketing strategies and attract more visitors. Here are some of the latest updates and resources to help you promote your business and make the most of the opportunities presented by the Wales Coast Path.

Year of Croeso 2025 

Visit Wales launched the Year of “Croeso” (Welcome) in early 2025 - a national and global marketing tourism campaign to promote Wales’ iconic experiences, products, destinations, and culture. Their flagship campaign is Hwyl (the Welsh word for fun) will deliver the key message of feelings of fun and joy that you can experience “Only in Wales”.

The path is the ideal way to convey this message – as an unforgettable way of feeling, tasting and seeing what the path has to offer, – iconic coastal vistas with great places to stay, drink and eat, intertwined with our unique culture and the Welsh language only in Wales. Visitors to the path need business like yours to enjoy the path.  Visit Wales is inviting all stakeholders to work with Visit Wales on this exciting theme.

We’ll be closely with tourism and destination management groups with Visit Wales to ensure all our visitors have their moments of hwyl on the path. Get involved in Visit Wales’ Year of Croeso and Hwyl

Download the Year of Croeso Toolkit - free to download, professional images and campaign logos.

Wales Coast Path business survey reports 2024

A survey of businesses along the path and the National Trails in Wales (Offa’s Dyke Path, Glyndŵr’s Way, and Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, also a part of the Wales Coast Path) assessed the support needed to maximize local business opportunities. It revealed the benefits that businesses gain from their location and the information they think would be most useful to their customers. The survey results are available for the entire path and are broken down by geographical region. View Wales Coast Path Business Survey Reports 2024