The Wales Tourist Board has said tourism in the country has outperformed the rest of the UK in the first seven months of 2003.

The tourist board said figures from the latest United Kingdom Tourism Survey show that a total of 6.6 million visitors stayed in Wales between January and July – an increase of two per cent on the same period last year.

The number of nights stayed rose by 14 per cent to 23.2 million and tourists spent £969m, a rise of 16 per cent.

In comparison, overall UK trips were down seven per cent, nights by seven per cent and spending by one per cent.

Chair of the Wales Tourist Board, Philip Evans, said: “These are clear indications that Wales is outperforming the competition and show that the board is on the right track with its tourism strategies.”

Welsh Assembly government minister for economic development, Andrew Davies, said: “It is very pleasing to see Welsh tourism performing well and increasing its share of the UK market.

“This is a particularly good performance in the context of the unfortunate downturn experienced in other parts of the UK tourism market.”

The Welsh Tourist Board is to host the first Showcase Wales at the end of November – a three-day event which will culminate in the National Tourism Awards for Wales on 27 November.