Following the finding that there was a 13.5% fall in the number of trips to Wales by international visitors during the first 6 months of 2018, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has spoken of the Welsh Government’s continued failing to market Wales on the global stage, and called on Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, to review his international tourist marketing strategy.

Janet said:

“I have the honour of representing a constituency which has a leading role in Wales’ tourist industry, so it should come as no surprise that I am extremely worried that the Welsh Government has overseen a 13.5% fall in the number of international visitors to Wales.

“International visitors are assigned into different categories based on the main purpose of their trips. When looking at the number who visit primarily for holidays, it turns out that the 167,383 we saw earlier this year is 18,000 fewer people than the same period in 2016.

“The seriousness of the situation in Wales is even more apparent when considering that Scotland saw a 30% increase and almost 1.3million more international visitors than us.

“Clearly, the Welsh Government and Lord Elis-Thomas’ tourist strategy is failing to market Wales successfully on the global stage.

“As I said earlier this year when I disclosed the shocking fact that the Welsh Government spent £1.7m shooting and promoting a 60 second tourism video, the Welsh Government should be investing in a marketing strategy that is clear and prioritised for a number of years rather than just these inconsistent annual themed years, and listen to what people in the industry really want”.

ENDS

Written Assembly Question to Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport:

Will the Minister make a statement on the fact that there was a 13.5% reduction in the number of international visitors to Wales during the first 6 months of 2018, and explain how he is going to reverse the fact that there were 18,000 fewer holidaymakers during that period and the same in 2016?  

Notes:

Wales Tourism Performance Report:  January to June 2018

Welsh Government spends £1.7m shooting and promoting 60 second tourism video