Bowett Farm in Hundleton is now a B&B

The west Wales county's many attractions provides a huge magnet for surfers, sailors and walkers as well as ordinary tourists.

Now residents are being urged to throw open their doors and take in tourists and a training day to encourage more people to enter the sector has been organised.

There will be expert advice on how to get started or grow, marketing, grants and grading, plus information on the support available from local and national organisations.

Figures from the Wales Tourist Board suggest an increasing demand for bed and breakfast style accommodation

In June 2000 B&Bs in Wales had an occupancy rate of 40%, this fell in 2001 because of foot and mouth to 32%, but bounced back to 47% last year.

Speakers at the training day will include experienced operators like Ann Morris, who is in her fifth year as a landlady at her family farm in Hundleton.

This is an attractive option for part-timers, the semi-retired, farmers, housewives, or people wanting a change of career Catrin Evans

"I was quite green when I started," she said.

"Farm incomes were falling so my daughter, who's in marketing, suggested we turn our eight-bedroom house into a B&B.

"I'd say to anyone thinking of starting - go for it.

Increasing demand

"Running the business has given me more personal confidence, I'm making the house work for itself and it gives me an income separate from the farming business."

The training event on 28 March at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel in Narberth has been organised by the Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development (Planed)

The organisation runs its own holiday business and tourism officer Catrin Evans said there was a lack of good quality accommodation in certain areas.

B&Bs are needed to meet an increasing demand for rural holiday accommodation, especially in Castlemartin, the Angle Peninsular, Dale, Marloes, Solva, Trefin, Moylegrove, St Dogmaels, Crymych, Maenclochog, Mynachlogddu, Llys-y-fran, Efailwen and Llanboidy.

Interesting people

You get a bit of a buzz because you believe you are doing a good job and people recognise that Ann Blackmore

"We have a growing tourism industry in Pembrokeshire and the potential to further develop our unique and quality holiday experience for visitors," said Ms Evans.

"This is an attractive option for part-timers, the semi-retired, farmers, housewives, or people wanting a change of career."

There will also be advice from guesthouse keepers David and Ann Blackmore who have been running the five-bedroom Cliff House at Saundersfoot for five years.

Ann said: "We love doing it and it's great because you meet a lot of interesting people.

"It's nice when people tell you they've enjoyed their stay.

"You get a bit of a buzz because you believe you are doing a good job and people recognise that."