Commenting on figures released today showing the number of tourists visiting Wales last year fell by more than quarter of a million, Shadow Culture Minister Paul Davies AM said:

"These figures are very worrying for everyone working within the tourism industry in Wales.

"We cannot afford to simply attribute the drop in numbers to the bad weather last summer.

"People know when they holiday in the UK, sunshine is not guaranteed.

"The Assembly Government needs to ensure that everything is done to make sure numbers do not continue to fall.

"It must engage with those on the frontline of hospitality across Wales and find out what support is needed.

"If tourist numbers fall, then hundreds of small businesses are threatened.

"Wales must be marketed properly and that needs investment from the government.

"We have long held concerns that the abolition of the Wales Tourist Board would have a damaging effect on our ability to market Wales as a leading tourism destination.

"These figures suggest those concerns are valid and the Assembly Government is not doing enough to support the industry."