Pembrokeshire businesses need to be first out of the starting blocks if they are to benefit from Irish horse racing fans travelling to Wales' new racecourse, says local AM Paul Davies.
The new Ffôs Las racecourse near Llanelli holds its first meeting next Thursday evening (June 18). The sell‐out event is just the first of many in a packed schedule which is expected to attract thousands of racing enthusiasts from Ireland.
Mr Davies is now encouraging local tourism operators, B&B owners and pubs to make sure they don't miss out on the travelling punters.
"Ffôs Las is the first new racecourse to be built in Britain for 80 years and, most significantly, it will be the closest UK course to the Irish Republic and its tens of thousands of racing fans," said Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Mr Davies.
"The expectations are that there will be an influx of race goers and trainers from Ireland for each meeting and many of them will be travelling here on the Pembroke and Fishguard ferries.
"This is a very exciting business opportunity and I would encourage businesses, especially those close to the A40 and A477, to make the most of it.
"For example they could stay open late to catch fans as they travel to and from the ferries or offer special race day deals and packages. "The opening of Ffôs Las is an exciting development for West Wales and another feather in the cap for local tourism.