Tourism resilient after downpours

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Tourism in Wales has survived one of the wettest Julys on record relatively unscathed, according to industry officials.

They said holidaymakers did not come to Wales to "sit on the beach", so tourism was not entirely "weather dependent".

Many visitors had booked their breaks in advance and were not put off coming to Wales, despite flooding in some parts of the country.

However, some businesses and seaside resorts may have been hit, they warned.

Wales saw its second wettest July on record, with some parts of Powys and the Vale of Glamorgan among areas hit by flooding.

Nine out of ten people who visit Wales come from within the United Kingdom, so they know what to expect from the weather Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson

But according to Julian Burrell, the chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, the downpours did not deter the majority of visitors.

He said: "Tourism in Wales has changed quite a lot over the years, we're no longer quite as weather-dependent as we used to be.

"People aren't coming here just to sit on the beach, they're going mountain biking and activities such as that."

Tourists who had booked before the bad weather had still come to Wales and managed to enjoy themselves, he said.

"The coastal towns may have found it more difficult," he said.

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"On the other hand, even in those circumstances, if people can't go to the beach they'll go somewhere else.

"The undercover attractions have probably done very well."

And Mr Burrell added that those businesses which had been affected would "bounce back pretty quickly".

He said: "The tourism industry has always been very resilient here in Wales."

Gary Davies, the regional strategy director of the South West Wales Tourism Partnership, reported a "mixed picture".

He said: "The bad spell of weather has hit certainly some of the seaside resorts and some of the activities that you simply couldn't partake in.

"Having said that, the operators of the businesses who actually have advanced bookings and take deposits have not recorded any huge cancellations.

"Some of the biggest self-service holiday cottages agencies are telling us that business has been exceptionally good.

But he added: "I certainly don't want to suggest that the weather hasn't put off a lot of day visitors and people who would go to the seaside if it's a nice day."

Mr Davies said although some attractions had had fewer visitors, those that came spent more money.

'Changeable weather'

The spending by those who visited shops, attractions and ate out was in some areas "booming".

He added: "In the Towy valley and Llandeilo in the last couple of weeks it's been difficult to get a table unless you book a week in advance.

"Day visitors and seaside resorts will pick up. Let's hope we have a spell of sustained good weather."

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "Nine out of 10 people who visit Wales come from within the United Kingdom, so they know what to expect from the weather.

"Our visitors are well aware of the changeable weather and choose to holiday here for our superb heritage and history, iconic attractions and stunning countryside, landscape and coastlines, which we wouldn't have without our climate."