Avonline's pledge to promote its satellite broadband service in Wales has been welcomed by tourism leaders, who claimed lack of connectivity is affecting business.

According to the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA), tech-savvy guests expect to be able to book their accommodation online and access the web when they are on holiday.

Chris Osborne, owner of Tenby's Fourcroft Hotel and chair of the WTA, told BBC News that this is putting hotels and other tourism operators located in one of the many Welsh broadband notspots at a significant disadvantage.

Accommodation providers in these areas find it hard to update their websites or even respond to an email, he explained.

One solution could be satellite broadband, which is able to reach customers in rural and remote communities as it does not rely on the underground cables used by most fixed-line connections.

Bristol-based Avonline offers guaranteed minimum speeds of 6Mbps and revealed it is starting its UK promotion in Wales due to the country's low levels of broadband provision.

Mr Osborne said if Avonline makes good on its promise, the Welsh tourism industry could receive a major boost.

"If this satellite broadband service can deliver what it claims, it will make a significant difference, not only to rural tourism businesses, but also their customers who demand good internet connections during their trip," he remarked.

Pembrokeshire hotelier Andrew Evans has opted to shell out £8,000 to install an unrelated wireless broadband service offered by TFL.

"The broadband we had was costing me business. I could not afford to mess about - I had to provide a service to my guests," added Mr Evans, who is also chair of the British Hospitality Association's Wales Committee.

Avonline's service relies on Avanti Communications' HYLAS 1 satellite, which was launched from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana 12 months ago.

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