With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures set to top those in the Mediterranean, traders in Pembrokeshire must have been looking forward to a final flurry of visitors to the area for the climax of the summer season. However, much like the weather, tourism operators' opinions have been mixed about this summer's trade at the county's top seaside resorts and destinations. Tenby's Information Centre was busy enough over the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Bank Holiday weekend, with 1,730 visitors, while at the neighbouring Saundersfoot TIC there were 1,557 visitors. But was the poor weather and general turnout in the area over the weekend a fair refelection of how the summer had gone. The Observer spoke to several tourism operators and business-people this week to find out. Away from the seaside, two of the major family attractions have experienced a pleasing holiday period. At Oakwood, near Narberth, average crowds into the theme park were slightly up on attendances over the last three to four years. "The park has experienced a positive holiday season for trade, with 40 per cent of visitors voting the popular Megafobia ride as the highlight of their Oakwood experience," said a spokesperson. Folly Farm, Begelly, has also enjoyed a good season. "We've had an exceptionally good summer and bank holiday, with attendances up on last year," said Jo Broughton, of the family adventure park's PR and marketing team. "Visitors have given us a lot of positive feedback, with an increase in facilities and the number of animals proving to be a decisive factor in attracting large numbers of families. The weather, which has been mostly good during the summer, has also helped business." Trade closer to the sea and sands of Tenby will always be affected by weather conditions, according to Angelo Zeraschi, of the South Beach's Fountains Cafe. "You know that if they are having a busy day in town, it usually means that businesses down near the beach aren't having such a good day. "But although the weather over the Bank Holiday weekend was poor, we have had a very busy August and on the whole a better summer than last year," he said. Boat trips, though, have suffered, according to a ticket office attendant for visits to Caldey Island. "I don't think the town has been that busy in general over the summer and we've suffered badly because of the inconsistaent weather," he said. Whatever the weather, though, Pembrokeshire will always be an attractive place to holiday for a short weekend or mid-week break, according to Dennis Andrews, of Tenby's Heywood Mount Hotel. "I think more and more people now looking to holiday in the UK during the summer prefer short weekend breaks and not necessarily a week-long stay," he said. "After a slow start to the summer, we've been flat out over August, but that month always looks after itself in this area, even if the weather won't look after the holidaymakers!" joked Dennis.
