RICH continental nudists are being lured to Wales - where they can roam the countryside away from prying eyes. Tour operators say they hope to exploit the worldwide growth in eco-tourism by bringing wealthy Dutch, German and Scandinavian naturists to North and Mid Wales. Bill Strange, 48, who runs Wilderness Walks, based in the Canary Islands, believes attitudes are changing and that Wales is well placed to exploit alternative tourism. Already groups of British nudists are going free-range - and say Wales is the perfect place to strip off. Civil servants and doctors were among those who accompanied Mr Strange on recent trips to Mid Wales, the Lake District and Scotland. Now he is scouting for suitable high-class hotels and venues in Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Mid Wales. He said: "But for the weather, Wales is the perfect destination for discerning continental naturists. It has superb countryside, fantastic beaches, wonderful culture and an improving reputation for accommodation and food. "We are talking about groups of 12 to 20 and I would like to hear from four-star hotels and owners of country retreats." Clothes-free walkers, known as "jog-glers", are already known to be taking to the foothills of Snowdonia and the Brecons in groups of up to 40. Others prefer naked rock-climbing and fell running, while lone naturists check the calendar to go "moonlight rambling" in southern Snowdonia. Many tend to shun honeypot rambling routes, gather on weekdays and carry smocks for rapid cover-up in case they encounter "textiles" or "ano-raks" - clothed walkers. Mr Strange, a qualified mountain leader, said: "Attitudes are changing, and perhaps people in Wales are more liberal. But if we get a negative reaction, we may consider elsewhere - like Cornwall." David Martin, a mountain leader and nudist, believes there is increasing acceptance of naturism "away from the beach". In July Mr Martin took a walking party on an eight-mile weekend hike through the Welsh countryside near Harlech and has also led groups in the Brecons and the Black Mountains. There are an estimated 500,000 naturists in Britain and most traditionally holiday abroad or cram into UK nudist camps and beaches. Campaigners want to dispel the stereotype of the naked eccentric and say the new breed of jogglers are typically aged 25 to 40. Mr Martin, 57, who runs the Coast and Country Club, Yorkshire, said: "There is quite a lot of naturism in Wales, especially West Wales, and I suspect there is a lot of solo rambling - individuals who walk along canals, or stroll out under moonlight. "Wales is a wonderful place for this but can be rather cold - we rarely go higher than 1,000ft. "On all the naturist walks I've been on, I've never had any objections. We get a few giggles, but no one has ever said 'that's disgusting'." Official nudist beaches have been established at Morfa Dyffryn, near Bar-mouth, and Newborough Warren, Anglesey. "The only problem we've had involved a couple at Newborough who objected to nude sunbathers," said Mr Martin. "They turned up almost daily to scream abuse and kick sand over nudists. Eventually we printed a leaflet with the local police telephone number - we never heard from them again." Most naturist day-trippers shun the "fleshpots of Rhyl" for quieter areas around Prestatyn, while others head for specialist B&Bs and campsites. It is not, admits Mr Martin, a multi-million pound market, but says nudists are often well-heeled tourists who should not be ignored. He added: "For years a Tourist Board manager from Mid Wales ordered my book but nothing much resulted from it. "You won't see coachloads of nudists heading for North Wales, but those who do come are serious tourists with a few pounds to spend." A Wales Tourist Board spokes-woman said its strategies and marketing activities were geared towards attracting high-spending visitors to Wales. "But obviously, any plans for naturist tourism would have to acceptable to all parties involved." A spokeswoman for Snowdonia National Park Authortiy said it had no problem in principle with nude rambling - providing adherents "do not offend other walkers". | 
