How Much Money Does Tourism Generate In Wales Every Year?

Wales has a strong tourism industry which generates a substantial amount of income each year, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy all of the special things Wales has to offer. In total, it has been estimated Wales generates approximately £2.7 billion in revenue from their tourism industry every year, which makes up around 8% of the entire economy of Wales. Below we will go through the main attractions contributing to Wales’s booming tourist industry.

What tourists do in Wales

On average, tourists in Wales spend just over £7 million daily. In Wales, there are around 170,000 people employed in the tourist industry who provide a massive range of different types of activities and attractions that visitors come to see and do from all around the world. From enjoying Wales’s amazing landscapes and the countryside to shopping in cities like Cardiff and Swansea, to enjoying Welsh food and drink to attending the many festivals throughout the year, it is easy to see why so many people flock to this country. 

People from different walks of life visit Wales every year to enjoy everything this country offers. Those that live close by in neighbouring countries such as Scotland and England come to Wales to enjoy a weekend away with their family. Others come from the other side of the world and even travel on private flights just to get a taste of the fantastic country that is Wales. 

What makes Wales a popular tourist destination?

There are many reasons why tourists go to Wales for a vacation, whether it is to enjoy the country’s rich culture and learn all about its history or to attend one of the many sporting events and festivals that go on throughout the year. Below we will further detail what people love to do whilst on holiday in Wales.

Culture

First, Wales has a rich culture that is nothing like anywhere else. Many festivals celebrate Welsh culture, including the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, the Hay Festival, and the National Eisteddfod of Wales. The Eisteddfod Genedlaethol celebrates Welsh culture and has everything from performance arts, music, literature, and the Welsh language. This festival takes place each year in different locations found throughout Wales.

The Hay Festival is another cultural festival that celebrates the arts and literature and takes place in Hay-on-Wye, a very small town. This festival is well-known for attracting performers, thinkers, and writers from all over the globe. It has everything from amazing performances to interesting debates and talks that cover a wide range of topics which means there will be something interesting for everyone.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales is another festival that shows off traditional Welsh music, Welsh culture, and the arts. Much like the National Eisteddfod of Wales, this festival takes place in a different part of the country each year, so it is never the same. In addition to the attractions mentioned above, this festival also offers exhibitions and competitions which are fun and exciting. 

History

Wales has a long and interesting history that attracts visitors from all over the world. You can visit amazing historical sights, including many castles in the north of Wales. One of the most popular castles tourists love to visit is the castle in Caernarvon which truly is a sight to behold and will take you back to medieval times. In addition to this, other popular historical sights include the Big Pit Mining Museum located in Blaenavon as well as the National Slate Museum located in Llanberis. 

Sporting events

There are a number of popular sporting events that are held in Wales each year, which attract a lot of visitors from outside the country. The Wales Rally GB is a great example of a sporting event many people love to watch. This motorsport event consists of several rally races that take place throughout Wales. Another extremely popular sporting event people love to watch while staying in Wales is one of the many golf tournaments held there yearly. One of the most famous tournaments they have hosted is the Ryder Cup, held in Wales in 2010. 

However, while Wales hosts it’s fair share of major football and music events at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, for many Welsh residents, it’s all about the rugby and there’s no atmosphere anything like heading to Cardiff on a rugby international day!

Conclusion

Wales is a fantastic country with amazing history and culture, attracting many people from across the globe each year. This has helped Wales create a booming tourist industry that generates substantial revenue each year. Due to the number of amazing things to see and do in Wales, it doesn’t look like the country’s tourism sector will be struggling any time soon. So do yourself a favour and book your next trip to the green country of Wales. We promise you won’t regret it.