THE FUTURE of the county's three tourist information centres is in doubt as more people use the internet to find information relating to an area.

Monmouthshire County Council has announced that it is to review the county's tourist information centres as national and international trends show an increasing shift towards web-based tourist information services.

The council revealed this week it will consult with a wide range of stakeholders including town and community councils, chambers of trade and community groups to discuss the future role and function of its three tourist information centres, Abergavenny, Monmouth and Chepstow.

Councillor Bob Greenland, Cabinet member for modernisation, enterprise and communications said, "Tourist information is vital to help us maintain our position as a major tourist destination.

"But people are accessing tourist information in different ways. More and more people are getting their tourist information through the internet and by other digital communication, including social media.

 "Tourism is vital to Monmouthshire's economy and we are going to lose out if we don't keep up with this change.

"So, in common with many other councils, we need to consider if our resources could be better spent by targeting the majority who now rely on the internet and use their mobile phones to access information."

The council says it is keen to capitalise on the tourism opportunities that Monmouthshire offers and will explore different ways of using resources to get maximum impact for the local economy.

Councillor Greenland added, "I know that this consultation will cause concern. But we have a responsibility to ensure our resources are used to best advantage and it is right that we should now enter into a period of consultation before we make decisions on how we deliver tourist information in the future."

Chair of Abergavenny and District Tourism Association Gwen Jones said, "The council has demonstrated that this move is short sighted, it will be have significant impact on the economy of Monmouthshire as many businesses rely of the tourist information centres.

"The tourist association has had no input into this decisions at all, we are hearing things by word of mouth.

"Goodness knows what is going to happen if they close."