48 million day trips in Wales in first half of 2014

Around 76% of businesses felt confident about the autumn after a successful start to the year

The good weather has helped make day trips in and to Wales popular in 2014.

Latest figures show 48 million people took day trips in Wales in the first six months of the year - a 19% increase from the 40 million recorded in 2013.

August has also been a bumper month with 82% of tourism businesses reporting more, or a similar number of, guests compared with 2013.

And 45% of all businesses said they had more visitors last month compared to the same time last year.

Figures in the government's August Tourism Business Survey show hotels, guest houses and B&Bs have all benefitted with 59% reporting a higher number of guests.

Tourism in numbers

The ruins of Llanthony Priory in the Brecon Beacons National Park are a popular tourist destination

• 48 million day visits in Wales in the first six months of 2014

• 82% of businesses reported increased or similar levels number of guests

• 45% had more guests

• 59% of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs had more bookings

• 51% of caravan operators saw an increase in numbers

• 43% of attractions had more visitors

• 76% of businesses felt confident about the autumn

Source: Tourism Business Survey

Attractions also saw an increase with 43% saying they had more visitors than last year.

As the results were announced, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Ken Skates visited the National Trust's Erddig in north Wales.

And the Minister for the Economy, Transport and Science, Edwina Hart visited Llwyn Helyg Guest House in Carmarthenshire, who have also had a busy summer

Welcoming the figures, Mr Skates said: "It seems that 2014 is proving to be an excellent year for Welsh tourism, even compared to 2013 which was a successful year in itself.

"Although the weather has been kind this year, the weather was also good for the UK as a whole but Wales is managing to outperform the rest of GB in terms of attracting staying visitors and day visitors.

"Visit Wales' marketing working is achieving its response targets and I look forward to working with the Tourism Advisory Board to realise our target of 10% growth for the industry by 2020.

"These figures show that the tourism sector is going from strength to strength."