Sue Essex: Re-opened footpaths

Jonathan Jones, chief executive of the Wales Tourist Board said that coastal areas had seen large numbers of visitors, but inland areas remained quiet.

And he said he was concerned that bookings for the summer months had still not recovered.

Tourist attractions across Wales have been reporting a mixed Bank Holiday weekend.

In north Wales, thousands of daytrippers have visited the resorts of Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno as foot-and-mouth restrictions have eased.

But hoteliers in Snowdonia - which re-opened key footpaths in time for the weekend - have not shared in rising fortunes.

Seaside resorts such as Llandudno have fared quite well

One hotel owner from Beddgelert in Snowdonia National Park, said business was "ticking over".

Other inland attractions are continuing to suffer from the fall out of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Powys accountant Ian Mitchell from the New Rural Business Network said visitors to the Brecon Beacons this weekend were being told key rights of way in the countryside may not be open for weeks.

Wales Tourist Board chief executive Jonathan Jones said that bookings are still very low in parts of Powys affected by foot-and-mouth.

He also warned that hotelliers across Wales are still receiving cancellations for bookings in May and June.

In south Wales, attractions such the Museum of Welsh Life have seen higher than expected visitor numbers with 66,000 people passing through its doors.

In north Wales, four paths leading to the summit of Mount Snowdon which were closed by the foot-and-mouth crisis have been reopened in time for the holiday weekend.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,522 - with 85 in Wales Powys - 50 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 16 cases Caerphilly 1 Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1 Neath Port Talbot -1 Newport - 3 Park officials said its visitor park and ride scheme was working well, with people using the disinfectant mats provided. The mountain was officially re-opened to walkers by the Welsh Assembly Environment Minister Sue Essex. The Snowdon massif was closed to the public on 27 February because of foot-and-mouth restrictions and remained a designated infected area until 18 April. The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has approved the reopening of the Miners and Pyg paths from Pen-y-Pass, the Watkyn Path through the National Trust's Hafod-y-Llan estate in Nant Gwynant, and the Llanberis path. Snowdon National Park Authority wardens will give advice to walkers as they begin their ascent, and information leaflets will be handed out to visitors. Walkers are being asked to abide by restrictions Walkers will also have to disinfect footwear at the start and end of their visit. The Snowdonia National Park Authority's car parks at Pen-y-Pass and Nant Peris will remain closed to members of the public and grass verge and roadside parking remains prohibited under the terms of the risk assessment. Walkers are being encouraged to catch the Sherpa park-and-ride bus service from Llanberis, Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed to Pen-y-Pass.