Statistics showing that visitors to Wales have fallen by more than 1.2million in the last three years has been described as ‘grim news’ for Pembrokeshire.

Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal that between 2006 and 2008, visitor numbers dropped from 10.75m to 9.56m; a fall of 11%.

This includes UK tourists and those from overseas.

AM Paul Davies is concerned about the decline.

“I find this drop of concern because Pembroke-shire is one of Wales’ busiest tourist destinations,” said Mr Davies.

“I am worried it reveals that the Assembly is failing to market Wales properly.

“We were told that more people would be holidaying at home in the past couple of years as the pound has been so weak, but Wales has clearly not cashed in on this trend.”

The Welsh Assembly abolished the Wales Tourist Board in 2006 and took ultimate responsibility for the marketing of Wales as a tourist destination.

“But the figures show a drop year on year in the number of visitors coming to Wales since 2006 — something which I don’t think is a coincidence,” added Mr Davies. “We need to do more to market Wales as a place to visit and to capitalise on the weakness of the pound, particularly in the short break market which is the backbone of the industry in Wales.”

However, a survey of almost 350 tourism businesses in south west Wales has shown that more than 50% of operators reported an increase in business over the previous year (2008).

Jointly commissioned by the South West Wales Tourism Partnership (SWWTP) and covering a region spanning from Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea to Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, the research indicated that a significant amount of businesses felt optimistic about future trading prospects.

Nearly a quarter, 23%, said their trading was comparable to the previous 12 months.

London and the south east were identified as providing the highest percentage of domestic visitors, with the most overseas tourists coming from Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland. Some 95% of respondents now have business websites and these — together with other online activity and local authority campaigns — were most frequently mentioned as their main marketing channels.

Chairman of SWWTP Andrew Evans, of Saund-ersfoot said: “Our aim was to gain up-to-date feedback which will not only give a true reflection, but will also enable trade bodies, local government and other stakeholder groups to identify the future needs of the industry.

“The information has been analysed to help inform the business plans drawn up by all stakeholder organisations to assist in keeping tourism at the forefront of a competitive and demanding political and economic agenda.”