Wales as a test-bed for sustainable tourism practice

Abstract

Tourism in Wales is worth £1.3 billion to its economy, accounting for almost 5% of gross domestic product, and employing 95,000 people, which equals 9% of the workforce. As a small peripheral European maritime region, the landscape and culture of Wales are increasingly being recognised for their intrinsic value and as comer-stones for future tourism. This recognition calls for a reappraisal of the resource base, its conservation and potential for development, and for new approaches to this significant industry. The Wales Tourist Board, in its current draft strategy document, Tourism 2000 ( WTB, 1993), acknowledges these facts and sets out a number of policies and proposals which it feels will best serve the Principality into the next century.