Frustrated Welsh tourism officials are still waiting to join VisitBritain’s online training program, 12 months after they told the travel trade that Wales would get a dedicated presence.
VisitWales had hoped to get a stand-alone module on the BritAgent program by the end of 2013, but it has yet to appear.
Translating the information into foreign languages is thought to have delayed the roll out.
Michael Price, PR and promotions International, said the module has been ready for a while but was unable to confirm when it would be added.
Meanwhile, Wales is hoping to cash in on the Rugby World Cup next year, with eight matches scheduled to be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Britain attracted 9% fewer Japanese visitors in 2013, mirroring a trend reported by Tourism Australia. Arrivals to the UK fell from 243,000 to 221,000, while spend plummeted 32% to GBP£208,000. Room nights fell 22%.
But arrivals from China showed a healthy 10% increase to almost 200,000, with room nights rising 20% and expenditure by 64% to GBP£492,000. Malaysians meanwhile spent £246,000, up 77%, with arrivals climbing 48% to 171,000.
Elsewhere, India recorded its strongest visitors and spend figures since 2004. Arrivals increased almost 11% to 375,000 and expenditure climbed 32% to GBP£441m.
Half the 33 million people who visited Britain in 2013 spent time in London, figures from VisitBritain have shown. Overseas network director Keith Beecham welcomed the statistic but said the aim of tourism leaders was to move visitors “beyond London”.
Meanwhile, Britain’s parks and gardens, heritage, countryside and culture remained the key drivers for people to visit the UK, a position that “has not changed for many, many years”, Beecham said.
