Wales is poised to attract an extra 100,000 tourists and holidaymakers in 2012 with the May launch of an 870-mile path that runs the entire length of its coastline.

The Wales Coast Path, when opened, will stretch from the Dee Estuary in North East Wales, west to Anglesey and Gwynedd, down the south west Wales coast, and east to Cardiff, Newport and Chepstow and will be the longest continuous coast path around a country. Many stretches of the path are already open.

It fulfils the Welsh Government’s ambition to create a continuous coast path and has been hailed as a major boost for the Welsh economy in Olympics year.

The path has been developed by the Welsh Government in partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), 16 local authorities and two national parks.

In addition to funding from the Welsh Government and the coastal local authorities of approximately £2 million per annum, the European Regional Development Fund has allocated nearly £4 million over four years to support the project.

Wales is hoping to bring in large numbers of ‘staycation’ holidaymakers as well as foreign visitors after the path was chosen by Lonely Planet as the world’s greatest region in a 2012 best-in-travel guide, ahead of attractions like the Ruta Maya in Central America, and Canada’s Maritime Provinces.

The world travel guide says: “What a wonderful thing: to walk the entire length of a country’s coastline, to trace its every nook, cranny, cliff face, indent and estuary. How better to appreciate the shape – and soul – of a nation?”

The Welsh Government has set out an agenda which embraces a range of activities around the coast and within a short distance of the coast path, highlighting clean beaches and some of the best coastal scenery in Europe.

In a major drive to attract visitors, it is promoting walking, cycling, horse riding, venues for sports lovers and adrenalin seekers, family fun, wildlife, culture and the arts, heritage, and the best places to eat and drink.

The Wales Coast Path will be officially launched on 5 May at special events at three locations round Wales – Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Flint. The Welsh Government will continue to improve the path’s access and alignment into 2013 in a programme managed by the Countryside Council for Wales.