SIR,

I read with great interest Ms Beirne's comments on the number of people who now gain their tourist advice through electronic means.

As a person who has worked in tourism for over 30 years, I cannot emphasise enough how essential these local Tourist Information Centre (TIC) offices are.

The staff in the Monmouth and Brecon offices are a fountain of knowledge and information and their local knowledge is unsurpassed.

They are an asset to Visit Wales.

However, Monmouth TIC could not be located in a worse position.

I am not surprised that their figures are down – it is practically impossible to find them.

With scaffolding blanketing Shire Hall for two years, and roads being closed and dug up making walking around the Shire Hall practically impossible, visitors figures are bound to drop.

As we all know location is extremely important.

The prominent position of the Shire Hall, to which most visitors coming to Monmouth town will gravitate, is the obvious location for the TIC.

It would be a shame if the services of the Monmouth TIC were discarded.

Please think very carefully before closing essential information centres, as this is truly short sightedness.

Incy Britton-Foster

(Kingcoed)