Entertainment

Digital platforms influencing local leisure and tourism coverage

Published

2 months ago

January 19, 2026

These days, whether it’s a first-time visitor snapping photos by the river or a long-time local searching for something different to do on a Saturday, experiences increasingly run through screens before they ever happen in real life. Flicking through travel apps, scrolling social feeds, reading reviews, most journeys now start with digital guidance.

The numbers add up: Statista found nearly four out of five travellers rely on online resources before making any firm plans. Rather than leafing through a magazine or chasing word-of-mouth rumours on the street, people discover a new noodle shop, outdoor festival, or even a neighbourhood casino with just a few taps.

Video tours, influencer stories, rating apps, algorithm-driven “top 10” lists, these tools nudge which places fill up and which get forgotten almost overnight. Street-level exploration and traditional local coverage don’t always compete well with the speed of the digital economy.

How social media redefines destination appeal

One well-shot reel of a lantern-lit alleyway or a rooftop jazz gig can instantly catapult a spot into the city’s canon of “must-sees.” This isn’t just theory, published research connects visual social posts with genuine shifts in how travelers and locals think about where to go and what’s not to miss.

Browse TikTok, watch a trending Instagram Story, or let YouTube’s autoplay wander from hidden cafes to graffiti tours, these aren’t just eye candy but recommendations that mean something. The likelihood someone actually visits climbs each time a location gets mentioned, especially if the video or photo comes with a personal story or glowing review.

It’s a self-reinforcing cycle, the more a place appears online, the more foot traffic it seems to attract. Local businesses, big and small, are starting to notice, many now actively shaping their own accounts, sometimes partnering with content creators to rise above the chatter.

Shifting focus: digital campaigns and local visibility

Instead of just promoting postcard landmarks, tourism offices and city teams have begun actively managing which neighborhoods and venues get attention. These days, an overlooked park can trend if it lands in the right campaign, or a quiet food market can attract national notice through influencer partnerships.

Some mapping apps highlight off-the-beaten-path walking routes, gently nudging users away from the busiest areas. In parts of Europe, recent digital initiatives put regional cities and lesser-known attractions in the limelight, using interactive features and curated posts.

As social feeds ebb and flow, city agencies react in near real time, spotlighting new districts if the old favorites become crowded or overwhelmed. Tech analysts suggest these deliberate digital nudges shift not just online talk but where people actually go, broadening what counts as part of the city experience. Often, the freshest local tips show up in a traveler’s feed before they ever appear in the local press.

Traditional media, crowded out or evolving?

Reaching for a phone has replaced flipping through guidebooks. “Official” tips from print journalists now sit beside, sometimes under, swirling waves of crowdsourced rankings and real-time updates. Review sites, maps with live comments, and influencer videos are now default entry points.

Most travelers, according to recent data, check these platforms before deciding on what to see or where to eat. Destination managers have noticed, investing heavily in digital-first materials. Editorial decisions that once shaped public interest now often come from online momentum; one viral video can outpace months of careful planning. But places that don’t show up online risk being missed entirely, no matter their appeal.

New gatekeepers and the art of digital reputation

Increasingly, online voices, not official guides, chart local reputations. Influencers, vloggers, and everyday content creators can steer public perception with a single post reaching audiences around the world. These creators’ personalities, tone, and perceived honesty now hold real sway. The upshot? Destinations and businesses must quickly adapt, responding to feedback and sometimes even shifts in mood that unfold by the hour online.

Having good digital “word-of-mouth” makes a difference, and even one rating or livestream can tip the balance in favor of a lesser-known venue. Sharing self-discovery and experiences, travelers amplify places that might once have been invisible.

Responsible gambling as part of the modern leisure mix

With digital platforms spotlighting entertainment like venues, the conversation shifts toward responsible participation. It’s increasingly important for people to set personal limits, stay self-aware, and use any digital tools available to monitor their choices.

Accessible, up-to-date information helps keep behaviors in check, offering a safety net without restricting individual freedom. Destinations and the tech platforms themselves are in a good position to reinforce these messages, supporting users as leisure habits evolve in a digital age.

Entertainment

Evening with rugby legend Shane Williams coming to Milford Haven

Published

15 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NIGHT of rugby stories, laughter and behind-the-scenes memories is heading to Milford Haven next month as Welsh rugby icon Shane Williams appears live on stage at the Torch Theatre.

The special event, titled An Evening with Shane Williams, will take place on Saturday (Apr 4) at the Torch Theatre and promises fans a rare chance to hear first-hand stories from one of Wales’ greatest ever rugby players.

Williams, widely regarded as one of the finest wings to play the game, earned legendary status during his career with Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Known for his blistering pace, elusive running and remarkable try-scoring ability, he became a fan favourite across the rugby world and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008.

During the evening, Williams will share stories from his playing career, including memories from international matches, Lions tours and life inside the Welsh dressing room. The event will also include audience interaction and opportunities for fans to hear the untold moments behind some of Welsh rugby’s most memorable matches.

Hosting the evening will be entertainer and comedian Phill Howe, who will provide a stand-up set as well as guiding the conversation with the rugby legend throughout the show.

Organisers say the night is designed to combine humour with sporting nostalgia, giving rugby supporters a relaxed and entertaining evening while hearing from one of Wales’ most celebrated players.

The Torch Theatre has long hosted major live events and touring productions, but appearances by sporting legends are always particularly popular with local audiences in rugby-loving Pembrokeshire.

Doors for the event will open at 6:30pm, with the show beginning at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available from the Torch Theatre box office by calling 01646 695267 or via the theatre’s website.

With Shane Williams still one of the most recognisable and admired figures in Welsh sport, organisers expect strong interest from fans across west Wales hoping to hear stories from a career that helped define a golden era for Welsh rugby.

Entertainment

‘Under Milk Wood’s’ open call for art submissions

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Have you ever wanted to respond to a play with your own words, images, or ideas?

If your answer is yes, then The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven and the VC Gallery, Haverfordwest are opening their doors to present ‘Verse and Visuals’ inspired by Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, that runs alongside the touring of Theatr Clwyd’s production of the iconic play which is coming to the Torch in April.

The Torch Theatre and VC Gallery are inviting artists, poets, writers, and anyone curious about creativity to join in by submitting visual art, poetry, writing, photography, illustration, mixed media, and other creative responses. People might be drawn to Captain Cat’s Dreams, the 1972 film locations in Lower Town, Fishguard, while some might take a more personal response inspired by the work of Dylan Thomas who is one of the most influential poets of the 20th century.

The exhibition will offer different ways to experience the play, not just by watching it, but by sitting with it, responding to it, and drawing something personal from it.

Selected works will be shown either at the Joanna Field Gallery, at the Torch Theatre or at the VC Gallery on Haverfordwest High Street, taking the exhibition beyond the theatre building and into the town centre, where more people can encounter it as part of everyday life.

Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Interim CEO and Artistic Director said:

“We are so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant VC Gallery to explore the same story through multiple art forms. Under Milk Wood is a Welsh icon and this production will be imaginative, hilarious and more than a little bit naughty!

“At its heart it’s a story about community, so this project is an extension of that, welcoming you to be part of this creative community.”

Since January, open workshops have been running at VC Gallery, exploring Under Milk Wood through art and poetry. Led by Barry John, MBE, Jayne Blythe-Mason and Angharad Tudor, the sessions are relaxed, friendly, and open to everyone. They are held at the VC Gallery, High Street, Haverfordwest between 11 and 4 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays up until the submission date of March 11.

The exhibition also marks a growing creative relationship between VC Gallery and the Torch Theatre, with their shared curiosity about how visual art and theatre can meet, overlap, and grow together over time.

Barry John, MBE, from the VC Gallery added: “Theatre is such a rich starting point for visual art. It’s full of voices, images, rhythm and emotion, and it gives you something to respond to rather than something to copy. Translating that into visual work with the support of the Torch Theatre has been incredibly inspiring.”

The deadline for art submissions is Wednesday, March 11.

Theatr Clwyd’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ production can be seen on the Torch

Theatre stage from Thursday April 16 to Saturday April 25. Ticket prices are from £15.

For further information visit the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Entertainment

Top UK soul band confirmed at Ascona Child of Wales awards

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

One of the UK’s most successful soul and acid jazz bands – The Brand New Heavies – will be performing at this year’s Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards.

They will be headlining the red carpet-style evening on October 2 at the Swansea Building Society Arena, with sponsors firmly on board for its milestone fifth year.

The announcement comes at a time when a number of live events across the UK are facing cancellation due to sponsorship shortfalls, making the continued growth of the Welsh awards even more significant.

Rising to prominence in the 1990s with hits including Midnight at the Oasis, Dream On Dreamer and Never Stop, The Brand New Heavies have sold millions of records worldwide and remain one of Britain’s most recognisable live soul acts. But their influence extends well beyond their own releases. Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson has credited the band with shaping his early musical direction, describing their impact on his career as transformative.

BBC TV presenter Gethin Jones will be returning for the fifth time as host of the annual black-tie awards, which recognise the remarkable achievements and courage of children and young people from across Wales.

He will be joined by 700 guests, including winners and their families, sponsors, celebrities, sporting stars, influencers and members of the media, who will hear the winners’ stories and see The Brand New Heavies perform.

Founder and organiser Blanche Sainsbury said, “Reaching our fifth year feels incredibly special and to have sold every table so far in advance, while welcoming The Brand New Heavies to help us celebrate, is both humbling and heartwarming.

“What began as a vision to recognise extraordinary young people has grown into something woven into the fabric of Welsh business and community life and we’re deeply grateful to our sponsors, many of whom have supported us since the beginning, and to the new businesses joining us this year.

“At a time when events across the UK are facing uncertainty, the continued backing we receive here in Wales speaks volumes about the commitment to celebrating and investing in our young people.”

Headline sponsor Ascona Group returns for 2026, alongside a strong line-up of corporate partners including Azets, BDP Wales, Blue Tiger, Bluestone Wales, Browne Jacobson, Cariad Occasions, Castell Howell, CJCH Solicitors, Gower College, Green Hat Consulting, JCP Solicitors, LBS Building Merchants, Lunar 3D, Owens Group, Route Media, Simply Elegant, Sinclair Group, Swansea Building Society, Swansea City FC, Team Wales, Thomas Carroll, Trade Centre Wales, Ultra Evo Group and Westacres. The awards choir will once again be led by Mark Jermin.

Nominations for the 2026 awards opened in January and organisers say they have already received powerful and inspiring stories from across Wales. The nominations window remains open until June 30, and members of the public are encouraged to put forward someone they believe deserves recognition.To nominate, visit: Nominate | Child of Wales Awards.