Figures for the first nine months of 2016 show that there has been a substantial increase of 12% in the number of overseas visitors coming to Wales and a 9% increase in the amount they spend during their visit.

The International Passenger Survey, published by the UK’s Office for National Statistics, shows that Wales welcomed 856,000 overseas visitors in the first nine months of 2016, an increase of 12% compared to the first nine months of 2015, and the highest increase among the nations of the UK. 

The figures also show that while there has been a small increase in expenditure across the UK as a whole, Wales has recorded a substantial increase of 9%, compared with the first three quarters of 2015, which was itself a record breaking year.

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure in the Welsh Government, Ken Skates, said: “This is fantastic news for Wales. The tourism industry in Wales and Visit Wales are to be congratulated for the high quality products, sustained investment, innovation and welcome – which makes Wales such an attractive place to visit.

“The Year of Adventure in 2016 provided focus for marketing and product development which gave people compelling reasons to visit Wales. The Year of Legends 2017 is now being rolled out in our key markets. Our aim is to sustain these remarkable figures, but also to work to increase our market share of overseas visitors to the UK.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, added: “It is good to hear that Wales has experienced a large increase in overseas visitors in the first nine months of 2016. Exciting new attractions such as Surf Snowdonia, Zip World and Bounce Below, coupled with growing international recognition – North Wales, for example, was recently listed as one of the ten places to visit in the world in 2017 by Lonely Planet – have made Wales a must-visit destination for a whole new generation of travellers.”

For Wales, and for the UK as a whole, around 70% of international visits in the first nine months of 2016 came from Europe. The total number of visits from Europe to Wales (594,000) is 10% higher than in the first nine months of 2015. Visits from North America to Wales (106,000) were up 9% compared with the first nine months of 2015.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor made tour of Wales, please contact Janet Redler Travel & Tourism. With over 25 years’ experience bringing visitors to Wales, we really are the local experts!