Local councillors were given a further presentation on the Tenby Smart Town project ahead of their meeting this week, and provided with an in-depth look at how it can benefit businesses in the town and boost visitor numbers.

The innovative pilot project, which has seen Pembrokeshire College secure funding through the Digital Tourism Business Framework to undertake the scheme, will create an integrated and real-time Destination Knowledge Environment (DKE) of tourism activities, venues and events for the benefit of visitors.

The college is leading Tenby Smart Town in conjunction with Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and digital technology application consultants, MJR Solutions.

The team behind the project held a series of Tenby Smart Town visualisation events before Christmas, to draw out ideas on how Tenby can embrace digital technology, and to demonstrate how apps have been used innovatively elsewhere to encourage more visitors, aid collaboration between businesses and provide new services to locals.

Melinda Russell, of MJR Solutions, told members of the town council on Tuesday night, that the project would put Tenby at the forefront of digital technology adoption, and provide new opportunities for businesses to connect with existing and new customers.

It was also demonstrated how webcams in some of Tenby's prime locations could form part of the project's website, while a free app that could be installed on people's smart phones and tablet devices would enable businesses in the town to push instant information to visitors.

The project developers hoped businesses in the town would get on board to create a free Wi-Fi zone inside the town walls and some surrounding areas so that people could connect to the app.

Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism president, Chris Osborne, said that while the Digital Tourism Business Framework programme provided half of the funding for the project, a further £50,000 needed to be raised, and with a number of organisations already on board to offer support, it was hoped that the project could be up and running within the next nine months.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown congratulated those involved with the project on what they had achieved so far.

"This would involve the town in a fresh and new project and make Tenby a tighter community, which is something we strive for," she said.

"It's a wonderful idea for a community based project and I wholeheartedly support it... even though I can't even text," joked Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Further information on the project can be found at http://www.tenbysmarttown.co.uk">www.tenbysmarttown.co.uk