A little gem of a Welsh village which has proven to be a real tourist attraction because it owns the longest name in the world, has taken the unusual decision to close its information office to the public.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch has 58 letters and has been a curiosity to visitors who have come to the centre for further information on its background over the past 28 years. Its name plate at the train station in particular has become a must photograph site for tourists.
The Daily Express reports that the office attracts 100,000 people looking for information about the village and the wider Anglesey area each year, yet it is being closed this week.
The reason for the closure is that the local council is endeavouring to reduce its £53,000 running costs per year. However local shopkeepers and business people say it is a shortsighted moved by the authorities.
The Daily Post quotes the director at Seawake/Anglesey Boat Trips, Duncan Gilroy, as being baffled by the move. “Tourism is the lifeblood of Anglesey,” he said, adding that in that context it didn’t make sense why they would interfere with a tourist information centre. There were now genuine fears that visitors won’t know where to go when the come to the area.
Tourists will need to acquire their information on the mainland at Caernarfon before journeying out to the island or else wait until they get to a point some seven miles away where they will get assistance during peak season.
