Tourism in Wales hit a slump in 2007, the UK Tourism Survey 2007 has revealed. The survey, which measures stays by UK residents, shows that trips to Wales were down by nearly eight percent last year compared with 2006, slipping from 9.61 million that year to 8.85 million in 2007.

Tourism expenditure in Wales fell by 13 percent, from £1.633bn in 2006 to £1.418bn in 2007.

Welsh Assembly Government tourism minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said that tourism industry performance in 2007 had been adversely affected by “the appalling rain-hit summer,” the strong pound, which meant holidays abroad were cheaper, and the fact that Welsh tourism had bucked the trend in 2005 and 2006 by producing good results, emphasising 2007’s slowdown.

“Although these figures are disappointing, our five-wave surveys of the industry throughout the year show that the level of general confidence is high and that there is a will to succeed and an intention to invest in the quality of the tourism product, all of which auger well for the industry,” the minister said, adding that the concerns over the current economic climate could benefit Welsh tourism as people consider the cost of overseas travel and decide to holiday in the UK instead.

The minister said he is cooperating with the Wales Tourism Alliance on an analysis of the Welsh tourism industry to understand its current and developing needs, and to draw up an action plan to increase the industry’s competitiveness and maximise benefits at regional and national levels. A final report is expected in autumn.

Provisional figures for overseas visitors to Wales show the country saw almost one million tourists from outside the UK last year, down 12 percent from 2006’s record year of 1.136 million foreign visitors. Overseas tourists’ expenditure also fell five percent from the 2006 record of £361m to £344m in 2007.

“The One Wales agreement shows that the Assembly Government is committed to the development of tourism in Wales and in supporting industry as the market moves increasingly towards shorter and activity-based breaks,” the minister added.