Plaid AM Nerys Evans has welcomed confirmation from the Deputy First Minister that support for the tourist industry will be strengthened under the new Economic Renewal Programme.

Nerys Evans, who raised the issue with the Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones during a debate in the Senedd, hopes to see the industry in Pembrokeshire benefit as a result.

In Pembrokeshire, 4,400 jobs are directly supported by the tourism industry at present and under these plans Nerys believes that the industry could develop further within the county.

The Plaid AM for Mid and West Wales welcomed reassurance from the Minister that tourism would be treated as a separate case due to its strategic importance for Wales and that responsibility for tourism would now be wholly be under the Tourism Minister.

Previously policy making and funding for tourism within the Assembly government were separated. Under the new plans these will be brought together into the Tourism department, making it more efficient and effective.

Plaid AM for Mid and West Wales Nerys Evans said: "This is great news for the tourism industry in Pembrokeshire and is recognition of the vitally important role it plays. Due to its distinct nature, tourism is the one key sector that will still have access to grants. This money will now be managed by Alun Ffred Jones, the Tourism Minister, who is already responsible for the policy making in this area. I am confident that this will lead to a more effective approach and will benefit the industry as a whole."

Following the questions raised by Nerys Evans AM, the Economy Minister, Plaid's Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: "We focus on marketing Wales as a visitor destination in the rest of the UK and internationally, developing tourist infrastructure and on grading and supporting hospitality businesses - both to provide information to visitors and to raise standards.

"For economic renewal, we will move investment funding for tourism from the former Single Investment Fund to be under direct management of our tourism team. The principles described in this document will be applied to future use of these funds, with an increased emphasis on supporting tourism infrastructure and improving environmental performance of the sector."