Wales fails to attract overseas visitors, say MPs
Tourism is estimated to be worth £3bn to the Welsh economy.
The report said: "Marketing of Wales must be stronger, with a clear theme devised to attract international tourists based on Wales' unique strengths and attractions.""Wales can be reached from London within a few hours. However, it is often not included in UK holiday packages offered by tour operators."
The report called on governments in Cardiff and Westminster to "look creatively at ways to better fund transport infrastructure projects", including a proposed new direct rail link connecting Wales with Heathrow Airport. After the report was published, Mr Crabb said: "UK organisations that should be responsible for promoting visits to Wales, such as VisitBritain, routinely overlook it in their own marketing materials.
He highlighted a Japanese tourism guide selecting Conwy as one of the most beautiful towns and villages in Europe in 2015, and said Wrexham AFC's celebrity owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had helped "put Wales on the map".Jim Jones, of the North Wales Tourism Alliance, says "it takes money to showcase Wales on the world stage"He said tourist websites also need to be made multilingual to make them more accessible.
"We look forward to continuing to work with VisitBritain on how Wales is marketed within VisitBritain's international campaigns, to tour operators, and in sharing of data with industry - which are crucial components of success in this highly competitive industry."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rape reform programme extended across England and WalesWomen rape complainants say the system is still weighted against them, even with programme pilots.
Read more »
Unemployment in Wales rises for third month in a rowPeople looking for work speak out as the latest unemployment rate in Wales is the highest for five years.
Read more »
New calls for WASPI women to receive ‘fair and fast' State Pension compensationNew research from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign highlights the deep, ongoing impact of the State Pension age changes on women born in the 1950s
Read more »
MPs approve privileges committee report saying Boris Johnson's allies tried to undermine partygate probeCommons leader Penny Mordaunt said she hoped it would bring an end to the 'sorry affair' after the privileges committee accused 10 Conservative politicians of being part of a coordinated attempt to undermine the panel's report.
Read more »
Mortgage rates soar to cusp of mini-budget peakLenders will be questioned in front of MPs on Tuesday as homeowners face higher monthly payments.
Read more »