Tourism industry key to Welsh prosperity

The tourism industry in Wales is one of this

UK member country’s most important sectors, as it provides employment for more residents than any other business. Nearly 11 million tourists—both from elsewhere in the

United Kingdom and from abroad—visit Wales each year; a country which itself only has a population of 2.9 million. The vast majority of visitors—nearly 90% according to the most recent figures—are Britons, but just over 1 million come primarily from continental Europe and

North America. All in all, one in every 10 Welsh resident works in the tourism sector.

Tourists seem to flock to

Wales for a variety of reasons. Although many Britons headed south so far this year, in order to catch the sun in the Mediterranean following a wet and cool summer back home, the number of tourists that visited Wales has actually increased. This serves as perhaps the most compelling evidence that when people decide to travel to

Wales, they do so not because of the climate, but for other reasons. For example, Cardiff and Swansea have both become increasingly popular over the years with domestic

UK visitors looking for a short week-end break, rather than a longer holiday. Additionally, innovative facilities, such as the Millennium Centre and the Millennium Stadium have both become important tourist attractions. Wales has also become significantly trendier over the course of the past decade, and new jazz and arts venues, as well as a more diverse range of cultural events and festivals, have drawn tourists to the

UK’s smallest constituent country.

Wales is also set to welcome even more visitors, thanks to the Ryder Cup, which will be hosted here in 2010.