What are the effects of tourism?
5000 jobs nearly half the working population in Snowdonia are employed in the tourism industry. Tourism keeps hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions going throughout the year. Tourism in Snowdonia was valued at 177.2m in 2000 and 196.9m in 1999. A day visitor spends 22 here on average, and those who stay overnight spend 25 on accommodation and 44 on food and entertainment. The majority of the visitors visit North Snowdonia, with 62% of day visitors visiting Betws y Coed and 41% visiting the Ogwen Valley. This adds increased pressure on public footpaths in Snowdonia. 416,750 people walked up Snowdon in 2003, 294,653 up the Carneddau / Glyderau and 127,857 up Cadair Idris. In a tourism survey in Gwynedd in 2000, the main reasons for travelling to this area were the views (39%), the peace and quiet (28%), beaches (20%), mountains (25%), Snowdonia National Park (24%) and the fact that it is so easy to get to the area (20%).
