Restriction signs remain in the countryside

The international ambassadors invited for a tour of the best in Wales represent groups responsible for arranging holidays to Britain for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

They will be hosted by BTA officials desperate to dispel confusion about the foot and mouth outbreak that has been keeping visitors away.

The authority will be at pains to stress that Wales is a safe and attractive destination - and very much open for business.

The delegation will visit Conwy Castle, the Snowdonia National Park, and the isle of Anglesey before being taken to explore other tourist attractions in the UK.

Losing business

The tourist industry has suffered badly since the start of the foot-and-mouth crisis, particularly because of restrictions on walking in the countryside.

Many businesses based on tourism have seen incomes slashed by up to 90%, and have had to lay off staff or close completely.

The Wales Tourist Board has estimated the tourism industry in Wales has been losing up to �20m per week - based on an average 75% loss of business.

The Easter weekend brought increased business for some, but less than expected for others.

Seaside resorts have seen visitors returning

Seaside resorts in north Wales reported that business was approximately 50% of last year's levels.

The popular Dan Yr Ogof cave complex at Abercraf, south Wales, manager Ian Gwilym said visitor numbers were considerably down.

Walkers were back in force at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, which was forced to close for several weeks at the start of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

David Lea-Wilson from the Anglesey Sea Zoo, at Brynsiencyn, said the zoo had received half the normal number of people through its gates, mainly made up of local people.

'Kickstart' to tourism

More people than anticipated turned up at Snowdonia National Park for the Easter weekend.

Diane Pierce, manager of the Tourist Information Centre in Betws-y-coed, said although all guest houses in the area were not fully booked there were a lot of bookings.

Wales Tourist Board chief executive Jonathan Jones, speaking from Newport, Pembrokeshire, said Easter had been a vital "kickstart" to tourism in Wales.

"In a crisis situation, it is a time for action and getting people moving," he said.

"I know of people in the Brecon Beacons without animals who have turned their land into walking or biking areas."