Wales' coastline is a huge draw for tourists

At a conference in Newport, industry representatives urged Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies to continue to invest in promoting Wales.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the body would be integrated into the assembly government by 2006.

Delegates at the Wales Tourism Alliance conference on Monday were seeking assurances of continued support.

WTA chair Julian Burrell said members were helping to devise a "road map" to reorganisation.

The tourist board was one of three quangos - quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations - which Mr Morgan said would definitely be taken under the umbrella of the Welsh assembly in a so-called "bonfire of the quangos".

Others included the Welsh Development Agency and the post-16 education body, Elwa.

The work of three quangos will come under assembly control

The changes were expected to dominate discussions at the third annual WTA conference.

Unions have expressed fears that jobs will be lost as a result of the changes, something Mr Morgan did not rule out.

Mr Burrell said: "Conference 2004 forms a pivotal point in the discussions between the industry and the National Assembly about the future direction of government support for tourism in Wales following the decision by WAG to take WTB in-house.

"Every aspect of assembly-funded assistance, from international marketing campaigns to business grants, will be under new management.

"This conference is our members' platform and they will assist the WTA executive to produce a working partnership and help draw up the road map to reorganisation with the Welsh assembly government."

Economic development minister Andrew Davies attended the conference on Monday to bring the industry up-to-date with progress in absorbing the WTB.

Mr Burrell added: "Tourism is easily Wales' biggest industry with a presence in all parts of Wales.