The holiday season should be extended to boost business.

That is the finding of the Wales Tourism Business Covid-19 Barometer, a Welsh Government-published report.

It shows that although Wales has had a busy few weeks welcoming guests since lockdown restrictions lifted, an extended period of staycations through the autumn is needed to boost business.

The results indicate that 78 per cent of businesses are open with 51 per cent of those open operating at full capacity.

Whilst 80 per cent of open self-catering businesses are fully open, 43 per cent of serviced accommodation is fully open and that is lower for attractions, hostels and activity providers.

It has also found that 11 per cent of open businesses have had more customers since reopening than they would normally have at this time of year, and 45 per cent have had the same level.

However, 44 per cent have had fewer customers than normal.

“This has more to do with limited capacity to allow social distancing and keep people safe than demand from customers,” the study states.

More than half of Wales’ tourism businesses have signed up for the ‘Good to Go’ industry standard and consumer mark. Over 5,000 Welsh businesses are now registered.

Ahead of the bank holiday, deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism Lord Elis-Thomas reinforced the need for visitors, businesses and communities to work together to keep Wales safe.

“Only by us all doing our part and taking personal responsibility for our actions can we continue to tackle coronavirus,“ he said.

“For individuals, this means keeping a two metre distance from others, washing our hands often and wearing a face covering on public transport. For businesses this means taking action to protect customers, including operating safe workplaces and social distancing measures, practicing rigorous hygiene and taking customer contact details so that the NHS contact tracing service can reach them in the event of an outbreak. We want everyone in Wales to feel that can enjoy the bank holiday - in a safe way.”

Some areas of Wales remain very busy and people are encouraged to plan their visit, be prepared to change plans if places are too crowded and respect the landscape and local communities by not littering, fly-camping and parking illegally.

Visit Wales has also launched a campaign encouraging visitors to sign their pledge to promise to help care and protect the people and places they visit. ‘Addo - Make your Promise to Wales’ is an online pledge by Visit Wales in partnership with the tourism industry.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas said: “Although we’re approaching the last of the summer bank holidays, Wales also has so much to offer in the autumn – and planning days out and discovering, in a responsible manner, what’s on our doorstep will help to extend the season and support Wales’ visitor economy.”