It was a bumper Easter weekend for local businesses and tourism operators. Seen as the traditional launch-pad to the tourist season, Pembrokeshire threw open its doors for 2005 and welcomed crowds of people over the four-day Bank Holiday. 'No vacancy' signs were displayed outside hotels and guest houses, the ice cream vans were back on the beaches, street entertainers were out and about and car parks were full, as large numbers of visitors flocked to the popular seaside resorts and attractions. In addition, a record crowd of supporters and enthusiasts also turned up in their thousands from across South Wales and the West Country for the South Pembrokeshire Point to Point at Lydstep on Bank Holiday Monday to make the county's largest sporting event of the year another resounding success. Although the weather was mixed, the best day of the weekend was Saturday, when Tenby's weather recorder, Trish Putwain, recorded 8.7 hours of sunshine. Figures from Pembrokeshire County Council showed that 1,237 visitors passed through the doors of Tenby Information Centre over the weekend (Friday to Monday inclusive), while slightly more, 1,349, were recorded at Saundersfoot TIC. The hectic four-day spell pleased many operators and has left them optimistic for the season ahead. "It was absolutely brilliant," said Bobby King, a director with Pembrokeshire Tourism. "There were a lot of people down, the weather was nice and everyone seemed happy," he continued. "The whole place seemed to be very busy, which was encouraging for the start of the season." Meanwhile, president of Tenby Chamber of Trade, Howard Lewis, said: "Most businesses were reasonably busy considering the earliness of Easter and the indifferent weather. I think most will be pleased with the numbers of people coming to Tenby." In neighbouring Saundersfoot, chairman of the village's Chamber for Tourism, Andrew Evans, was also very positive about the weekend. "All the people I have talked to were very pleased," he said. "Considering Easter was early this year, there were a lot of people around and generally members have been quite happy. "The weather was better than forecasted and the village was busy," he added. In Narberth, businesses made it a good start to the season. "It was generally felt that even with the somewhat lacklustre weather there were more visitors to the area this year," said secretary of Narberth Chamber of Trade, Gordon Barry. "There was the indication that the 'feel good' factor remains high and this may indicate an interesting summer," he added. At Folly Farm, Begelly, Chris Ebsworth was pleased with the way the Easter weekend had gone. "We met all our targets that we thought we were going to achieve," he said. "Easter is always seen as the launch of the tourist season and we are really optimistic for the rest of the summer," he added. It was also an upbeat story from Paddy McNamara, managing director of Oakwood Park. "Thursday and Friday were a little slow, but Saturday, Sunday and Monday were excellent," he said. "We were expecting a mediocre start, but it was really good and has been ahead of predictions. "The good weather certainly helped and with the Grand Slam success, everyone seemed to be on a roll and the enthusiasm rolled on in through the gates. "There has been a real carnival feel here," he added. Also 'really happy' with trade over Easter was Danny Voaden, of Pembrokeshire Ice Cream Company, which recently featured in an advertising campaign by the Wales Tourist Board. "I couldn't believe how busy the weekend was," he said. "I think it had been a long winter and people had been cooped up, but Easter coincided with the sunshine and people just burst out," he continued. "It was a very good start to the season, Easter Saturday was particularly busy and was the equivalent of a good August day," he added. National Park sites and centres have reported a busy Easter weekend and Park rangers noted many caravans and camper vans around the county's roads. Carew Castle welcomed nearly 700 visitors - 400 of them on Monday - while figures at Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort, near Newport, topped 650 for the same period. Stackpole Quay car park was one of the 'hot spots' over the weekend, though some beaches were reported quiet in the variable weather.