Wales tourist trade calls for action

The tourist industry in Wales and the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) need to reinvent themselves if they are to compete against other tourist destinations, the WTB has admitted in its annual report.

A spokesman said: "Some 30 years ago, Wales was the main holiday destination for many people in the UK. Now people are going overseas as package holidays are so affordable.

"The industry also needs to acknowledge that more people are making last-minute holiday bookings over the Internet. Wales has to invest in technology to keep abreast of these changes."

Tourism spending increased by 3% to £1.1b in 1999. The long (more than four nights) domestic holiday is still the biggest source of overnight tourism business for Wales and in 1999 generated 54% of total tourist spending.

But more people are now looking to Wales for a short-break holiday.

Spending from short breaks in Wales increased by 11% in 1999, the fourth consecutive year of growth.

Short breaks now account for 32% of all domestic holiday spending in Wales, compared with 18% 10 years ago.

Total spending from overseas visitors to Wales is estimated to be more than £200m. The Rugby World Cup, which was held in Wales last year, attracted 70,000 additional overseas visitors.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 27 July - 2 August 2000