THE number of tourists visiting Monmouthshire rose by more than four per cent last year.

In 2014-15 the county welcomed over two million visitors, marking the highest increase in tourism in the whole of South East Wales.

The figures come from a new report released by the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor which looked at tourism in 2015.

According to the statistics, tourists made 1.7 million day visits to Monmouthshire last year – the highest amount since STEAM began monitoring tourism in the area 17 years ago.

The number of visitors staying overnight in the county also grew with an average stay of two and a half nights.

The visits mean £187 million for the local economy, up by 6.6. per cent on 2014.

County councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, said: “As we look forward to welcoming more than 150,000 visitors to Monmouthshire’s Eisteddfod this summer, this is no time to rest on our laurels.

“Tourism is a fiercely competitive marketplace and while major and high profile events attract visitors from far and wide, the visitor experience – from the welcome they receive at the event itself to where they sleep, eat, drink and shop – can have a real impact on whether they visit the area again or recommend it as a destination to friends and family.

“As social media and user review sites increase in importance for determining destination choice, the quality of welcome and visitor experience become ever more important.”

The council cited events, like the Abergavenny Food Festival, as helping to attract new visitors to the area.

Every year the food festival brings in tens of thousands of visitors.

A spokesman said: “Monmouthshire’s growing high profile events programme undoubtedly contributed to the county’s exceptional tourism performance in 2015”.