Could Pembrokeshire's Surf visitors be worth £52 million a year?

As more and more visitors choose to surf in Pembrokeshire where it's less crowded and arguably more beautiful than anywhere else, we could be seeing a new tourism boom. Afterall, it's the surfers of today who bring their families back with them in years to come.

A new report shows that in North Devon the surf industry is worth £52 million pounds a year. This supports 1,500 jobs in the area. According to the Welsh Assembly, surfing in Wales brings in 100,000 people a year to popular beaches such as Newgale and Freshwater West.

As holidaymakers increasingly choose to take their breaks at home, and want a green holiday, surfing in Pembrokeshire is growing in popularity. "The beauty of surfing, is that it's an all year round sport," says Oli Tuggey, owner of the Big Blue Experience Watersports Centre at Newgale. "The water is at its warmest in September and the surf is epic in the winter."

The surge in surfing, and other activities, all year round is shown by the growth of companies advertising in out of season guides for visitors, published by trade body, Pembrokeshire Tourism. "Our new free guide, Pembrokeshire - Open All Year, has never included so many companies offering perceived summer activities all year round," said Rachel Hicks, chief executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism.

"The choice of things for visitors to do here through the autumn, winter and spring is increasing all the time. We are getting 'phone calls from businesses we didn't know were open all year wanting to be in the guide. Visitors are adventurous and surfing at Christmas is just one of the many attractions which our guide lets visitors know about. At this rate, surfing here will be worth £52 million pounds a year!" she said.

"Businesses who want to surf the winter wave and promote their business in our Pembrokeshire - Open All Year guide had better be quick, we are almost full and closing to further businesses in just a short time," said Rachel.