 It is hoped British holidaymakers will make a bee-line for Welsh beaches |
The number of tourists visiting Wales last year fell by over three-quarters of a million, new figures show. Tourism Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas blamed the drop on the rain-hit summer of 2007, the strength of the pound, and success in the previous two years. Operators said the 2007 season had begun well, but they struggled as the weather failed to improve. Experts are carrying out an analysis of the Welsh tourism industry and an action plan will be drawn up.  |  We had a fantastic start to 2007 in March and April, but we didn't realise that would be our summer |
Visitor figures dropped from 9.61m in 2006 to 8.85m in 2007. Mr Thomas said the figures bore out some of the anecdotal feedback from the industry. He has asked the Wales Tourism Alliance for its co-operation in commissioning an analysis of the industry. Mr Thomas said he wanted "a deeper understanding of its current and developing needs and then to draw up an action plan designed to improve Wales' competitive position where possible". The minister said the current economic climate was a cause of concern - but it could work to the benefit of Welsh tourism as people might choose to holiday in the UK instead. He added: "Finally, although these figures are disappointing, our five-wave surveys of the industry throughout the year show that the level of general confidence is high and that there is a will to succeed..." | Quieter but positive feeling in Ceredigion |
Rachel Hicks, chief executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said 2007 started well, but after April it was a different story. Its survey of businesses in July 2007 showed that 83% reported bookings were down on 2006, 10% remained the same and 7% showed a small increase. Floods hit She said: "Booking patterns changed in 2007. According to our survey businesses in Pembrokeshire found that visitors were booking for three days and not a full week. "Overall the north of Pembrokeshire, especially St Davids and Newport, were less affected. However, many businesses reported brisk business in September." Chris Osborne, owner of the Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby, said: "We had a fantastic start to 2007 in March and April, but we didn't realise that would be our summer. "We found that the floods in England hit our target market, the west Midlands, and so we experienced much lower visitor numbers than normal." Dewi Davies, director of Tourism Partnership North Wales, said: "The weather was tough, there's no doubt about that. And we have been struggling with the pound being so strong against other currencies." Budgets for marketing campaigns were very important to attract families to Wales who live relatively close, such as Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. "The right amount of funds for us to market - that's an important part and we need to continue to focus on family and short breaks," he added.
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