Not enough is being spent on encouraging tourists to visit Wales says Shadow Tourism Minister Paul Davies.
The Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member spelled out concerns in the Senedd that not enough money has been set aside in the Assembly's budget for tourism.
"Tourism is a highly competitive industry which is suffering because of the increase in costs generally," he said. A recent survey showed that Pembrokeshire was visited by 4.1 million visitors and that they spent £500 million in the County.
"Tourism is an industry that touches every community in Wales and it makes a significant contribution to the economy, welfare and social inclusion of local areas," he added.
"The tourism industry acts as a catalyst to the regeneration of our areas, which is why it is so vital that the Government supports the sector adequately.
"However I fear that this budget does not achieve that. We must secure support for the industry, particularly after the bad weather we had over the summer and after seeing the number of visitors to Wales fall last year." Mr Davies pointed out that the number of visits to Wales made by tourists from Britain reduced almost 8 per cent between 2006 and 2007 and that there were 12 per cent fewer foreign visitors during the same period.
"Given that our economy is in such a precarious position at the moment, it is all the more important that the Government invests adequately in our tourism industry. That is why the Government and the Minister should rethink this budget and revisit its priorities"
