Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has revealed that hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup has led to in an 11 per cent increase in golfing visitors over the past 12 months.

According to National Golf Tourism Monitor results for 2009, the impact of golf tourism on the country's economy grew by 18 per cent during the period to £34.7m, compared with the previous year. Visit Wales, the national tourism agency, has been tracking the levels of golf tourism across the country since 2002 and has reported a 50 per cent increase in both visitor numbers and revenue during the period.

Jones said: "The challenge now is to ensure that awareness and interest continues to increase and we maintain this level of golf tourism following the Ryder Cup." Image: The Celtic Manor Resort near Newport will host the 2010 Ryder Cup