VALE-BASED Assembly Member Andrew RT Davies has welcomed the decision to host the NATO summit in Newport and said it could have wider benefits to the Vale of Glamorgan.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Mr Davies, who represents South Wales Central, believes that the Vale could see a boost in tourism and the local economy.

The 2012 summit in Chicago generated £77 million for the local economy, and reports suggest that almost every hotel between Swansea and Bristol will be booked for this week’s summit.

Mr Davies said that tourism in the Vale of Glamorgan could experience a surge as a result of the summit – if Wales is showcased correctly in the coming days.

“This is an excellent opportunity to put Wales on the world stage and the whole region will benefit from the Prime Minister’s efforts to bring the summit here, including the Vale," he said

" If we maximise the opportunity to showcase Wales in the coming days we should expect to see a longer term boost to the economy and in particular tourism in the region.

“The 2012 NATO summit in Chicago generated £77 million for the economy and this is the largest event of this type to have been held in the UK for over 30 years.

“With every hotel between Swansea and Bristol fully booked for the summit, there is every likelihood that the Vale of Glamorgan will share the spoils of this summit.”