Just like the weather, opinions have been mixed about this year's summer holiday trade in Pembrokeshire. Although the county pulled in large number of tourists to the popular seaside resorts and attractions over the Bank Holiday weekend, some tourism operators have reported 'best ever' peak periods, while others have been 'disappointed'. Seen as the climax to the main holiday season, people took advantage of the long weekend and there was a rush with last minute bookings, tailbacks of traffic, queues to get into car parks, no vacancy signs displayed in lots of hotels and guest houses and tills ringing in many of the shops. There were 2,056 visitors to the Tenby Information Centre (2,009 visitors from Britain and 47 from overseas) over the Bank Holiday weekend (including Saturday, Sunday and Monday), while in neighbouring Saundersfoot, there were 1,974 visitors (1,964 visitors from Britain and 10 from overseas). But, was the Bank Holiday weekend just a last big getaway before the summer ends? The Observer spoke to several tourism operators and businesspeople this week to find out.
'VERY PATCHY'
Chris Osborne, of Tenby's Fourcroft Hotel, a director with Pembrokeshire Tourism, felt that the Bank Holiday weekend reflected the season as a whole. "It was very patchy," he told us. "We have all experienced vacancies at a time when we would not normally expect them. "And if we are looking for a reason, the weather certainly has not helped, then there was also the European football cup and the Olympics, concern over rising interest rates and uncertainty in people's minds about travelling," he added. It was a similar story from chairman of Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, Andrew Evans, of St. Bride's Hotel. "We achieved our forecast despite the attraction of the Olympics, the vagaries of the weather and the limited school holidays, with children not being allowed out of school during term time," he said.
'BUMPER SUMMER'
At Tenby's Kiln Park, meanwhile, general manager, Elma John, reported a bumper summer. "We were full over the Bank Holiday weekend and it went really really well, which was in line with the whole season," she said. "We are still really busy and bookings look promising for September and October." At Oakwood, near Narberth, a bumper Bank Holiday weekend was enjoyed by 5,000 people every day. "We've had a wonderful summer," said marketing manager, Zoe Snell. "Numbers have been as we expected and the August Bank Holiday was fantastic." Folly Farm, Begelly, has enjoyed its 'best ever season' with record attendances. "There's been a strong tourist season in Pembrokeshire this year and attendances were over and above our expections," said director, Chris Ebsworth. A good summer has also been enjoyed at Manor House Wildlife Park, St. Florence, where Clive Williams reported an increase in trade. "We are about 20 to 30 per cent up on last year, which is quite good," he said. Carew Castle and Mill also had a very successful weekend, with nearly 900 people visiting over the Saturday, Sunday and Monday - up 14 per cent on the previous year. Attractions included the National Park puppet show on Monday - a big hit with the younger visitors - and there was also a book signing session by Brian Alderson, author of the new book on Princess Nest of Carew. Elsewhere, rangers reported a busy weekend, despite the mixed weather, and there were no reports of major problems.
'DISAPPOINTING'
Sadly though, Angelo Zeraschi, of the Fountains Café, South Beach, Tenby, described this year's season as 'disappointing'. "Despite optimistic forecasts, and reports of places being fully booked, summer 2004 proved to be a real downer. "I suppose we were spoilt with the previous couple of years being so good," he admitted, "but normally there's a great weight of people; this year you just couldn't feel that."