Significant sporting occasions bring enormous value to Wales and the Welsh economy, and much is always made of this.

The successful Ashes First Test last week at the SSE SWALEC was just the very latest landmark occasion that we in Wales can be proud of and I was very fortunate to be there on the Thursday, when England shone as brightly as the sun over Sophia Gardens.

I was sitting with cricket fans from across the world and had the opportunity to speak to Americans, Australians and many other nationalities.

They were all hugely impressed not only with the sport, but also the warm welcome that they had received here in Wales. This sentiment resonates with feedback and praise I often hear when major events are hosted by Newport’s Celtic Manor.

Of course, we are used to holding big events here in Wales – FA Cup Final, Olympics and those held in Gwent like the Ryder Cup, Nato Summit, UK Investment Summit, Digital 2015 – and coming soon to a stadium near us, the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, which will once again, position us as a fantastic venue to host world class events.

Of course there are the immediate benefits of holding these events in Wales and the hospitality and retail trades and their supply chains will benefit whilst these events take place.

But in my view, there is a lasting legacy and the opportunity for visitors to be impressed with what Wales has to offer and most importantly, to visit us again as tourists or to locate their businesses here in Wales to the benefit of our National economy. In my view, this is a win-win situation.