Efforts to promote Wales as a destination for golf tourism ahead of next year's Ryder Cup appear to be failing, figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal.
With just over a year to go until the event at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort the party has learned that the number of tourists from Europe and North America visiting Wales specifically for golfing holidays has fallen. First Minister Rhodri Morgan has described the event as a "catalyst for golf, tourism and economic development".
But commenting on the golf tourism visitor figures Shadow Sports Minister Alun Cairns AM said the Assembly Government was failing to take maximum advantage of the global potential of the event. Mr Cairns said the decision to abolish the Wales Tourist Board had played a part in the failure to maximise opportunities arising from the event.
Europe will take on the United States in the Ryder Cup between October 1 and 3 next year.
Alun Cairns AM said: "The global reach of the Ryder Cup is immense. Ministers have jetted back and forth across the Atlantic to promote this event. These figures suggest that to date those efforts have failed."
And he stressed, "The Assembly Government and Visit Wales have just under 500 days to market Wales to the world as a leading destination for golf and for tourism in general. While I expect overseas visitor numbers to improve closer to and immediately after the Ryder Cup we should be enjoying the benefits of hosting this event now."