Alun Ffred Jones, the Welsh heritage minister, has said that he will hold a tourism summit in an attempt to support the industry during the current economic climate.

Jones made the announcement at his address to the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) annual conference on 2 November, and it is hoped that the summit will be the first step towards developing a partnership between the industry and the Welsh Assembly Government.

"I would very much like to have a far wider industry involvement in the development of tourism policy and strategy," said Jones. "I will be asking my officials at Visit Wales to bring forward to me ways of establishing a stronger industry input into the development of the tourism industry in Wales."

Julian Burrell, chair of the WTA, said: "WTA, the industry's umbrella organisation, believes the current economic situation demands effective and radical solutions to deliver the industry's needs and warmly welcomes the minister's announcement of a tourism summit."

The summit is due to take place on 19 November, although the the time and location is yet to be confirmed.