This thesis proposes a Maritime Trail, together with
accompanying interpretation, as well as a Gateway and
Interpretation centre for Anglesey, a large island in North
Wales. The feasibility of the Proposal is examined, via five
main methodological approaches:
1) A Visitor Survey was carried out in the summer of 2006,
using both demographic and psychographic- based questions,
with the aim of ascertaining Attitudes, Opinions and
Interests (A.O.l's) of 261 visitors to the Island. The Survey
was carried out at sites all around the coastline.
The results showed that Anglesey was indeed a 'niche'
market, with Walking and visiting Heritage sites the
preferred options. The majority of visitors were 'day
trippers' and demographically, fell within the 65+ and/or
retired group. The second largest group constituted the 50-60
year olds and together with the former made up the majority
of those interviewed, i.e. 215 interviewees.
2) In order to ascertain a more expert opinion on the
Proposal, the Delphi Method was used in the form of a
questionnaire aimed at gathering expert opinions on various
aspects of the Proposal. The object of this exercise was to
gain a consensus on the suggestions put forward by the
author. Five experts were canvassed, including a maritime
history professor, a media/interpretation expert, the director
of an award-winning heritage organisation, and the assistant
director of a regional tourism organisation. Consensus was
achieved after one round.
3) An exhaustive Site Inventory was compiled, documenting
all 52 sites on the Trail and accompanying interpretation (if
any). All sites were given a site index number, some
photographed and all mapped. Any gaps in interpretation
were identified, the site photographed and included in the
Inventory. Sites included lighthouses, former ferry piers, a
headland passage grave, wreck sites, former ship yards, etc.
4) Interviews were conducted with key personnel in
Anglesey's heritage sector to determine the status quo of
current developments in the area and the likelihood of future
proposals. It was found that there were no initiatives of a
maritime nature planned for the foreseeable future. Any
recent interpretation would appear to be of an ad hoc nature,
with no unifying theme across the island. Generally, funding
bas been spent on improving the infrastructure, rather than
on maximising the tourism potential.
5)A cross-section of different case studies were examined,
chosen for various reasons, regarding their relevance to the
Proposal, e.g. the concept of 'hubs and clusters', a
community-based approach to preservation and conservation
of heritage, a strategic approach, a partnership approach
and an award-winning island strategy. As far as possible
funding was concerned, a partnership approach appeared
advantageous, but it was concluded that the Manx approach
to 'theming' interpretation was possibly not suitable for
Anglesey, as the Island is larger and more diverse than the
Isle of Man. Three maritime trails elsewhere were included as cameo case
studies, but no similar trail was found to exist.
6) Finally, a marketing plan and an interpretation master
plan for the proposed maritime trail were produced and are
presented with this thesis in the form of two appendices.