Sir, I feel I must respond to your front page article about Tenby's Mayor's perceived lack of tourism support for Tenby. Pembrokeshire County Council has a very small tourism team (three people) and their remit is to help promote the whole of Pembrokeshire as a tourism destination - something they have done with great success given the huge variety in the marketplace. They work very closely with Visit Wales, the Regional Tourism Partnership, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire Tourism and other bodies in promoting the Destination Pembrokeshire Plan (DPP) as a collaborative venture. The DPP sets out a comprehensive approach to tourism in the county and not only promotes Pembrokeshire, but brings together all other aspects that make sure the visitor experience is the best possible. This includes such things as street cleanliness and maintenance, beach cleaning, bathing water standards, coastal awards (including the most Blue Flag beaches of any county in Wales), environmental issues, providing lifeguards on the key beaches and many other aspects of the tourism offer. Much of the promotional work is centred on Tenby and many of the awards and accolades are the result of the unseen work of the county council's tourism officers. The authority has also been heavily involved in bringing major events to the county and Tenby has been the direct beneficiary of both the Long Course and Ironman events, neither of which could happen without the direct input from the County council. Tenby rightly deserves the accolades it receives as a destination, but Tenby Town Council needs to understand that it is only one town in the county and other areas and towns expect some equity in tourism promotion - something that has been achieved through the Destination Pembrokeshire Plan. Tourism is a major part of this county's economy and plays an important part of our economic strategy. Perhaps Tenby Town Council need to follow Clr. Mike Evans's advice and get involved and follow the example of other towns in the county who have been very proactive in helping promote their particular offer as a tourism destination. I am writing separately to the Town Council to offer to arrange a meeting to discuss this matter further.

County Clr. David Pugh, Cabinet Member for Economy and Tourism.