A warm welcome for tourism boom

11:31am Wednesday 28th June 2006

TOURISM is booming in Gwent with one council alone reporting a £6.6 million increase last year in the amount visitors spent in their area.

Tourist spending in Monmouthshire reached a record high of £118 million in 2005, according to new figures.

Once hit by the double blow of the foot and mouth outbreak and fewer American tourists after 9/11, Monmouthshire county council's figures show a £6.6 million increase on 2004, much of which has come from more day visitors.

The county's attractions include Chepstow and Caldicot Castles, Abergavenny's markets, Tintern Abbey, and Abergavenny's Food Festival every September, and alongside those, tourist industry workers say the success of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium is attracting people to stay in Gwent.

Jennifer Taylor, owner of the Guest House in Abergavenny, said the Millennium Stadium's concert and sporting events have improved her business.

She said: "It's a huge asset, we benefit tremendously from the big events there. Fans come and stay when there are big matches and then return with family.

"There are a few concerns about what will happen when Wembley is open, but apparently there are plans to keep a lot of things here.

"I think tourism is the way forward for Wales. We don't have steel or coal anymore so the more effort we put into it, the more money is going to be made."

Elizabeth Amphlett, a tourist information officer in Chepstow, said Monmouthshire has always had a lot to offer.

She said: "We've had a few difficult years, with 9/11 and foot and mouth, but now people are starting to venture out again.

"There has also been good marketing for Monmouthshire, with things like Visit Wales. More people are hearing about it."

She added Monmouthshire was a convenient way to get a taste of Wales.

She said: "We benefit from geography, because we're the gateway' to Wales. We also have a great many historical monuments in a small radius, so people can see a lot in a short time."

Landlady of the Crosskeys Inn in Usk Geraldine Griffiths said: "It's been a very tough few years but foreign tourists are starting to come back."

Bob Greenland, cabinet member for tourism in Monmouthshire County Council, said: "Tourism is a very significant economic sector in Monmouthshire, and I would like to commend everyone involved in our tourism industry, including those who work behind the scenes to promote the area."