Disaster is looming for Wales’ tourism industry
ALL Welsh tourist attractions are facing the prospect of “three winters” with no prospect of any reopening date, or potential income from tourism.
Dan Yr Ogof – The National Showcaves Centre for Wales is one of Wales’ oldest attractions and is the largest showcave complex in northern Europe.
We are having to find more than £80,000 just to mothball the caves during the present pandemic.
This money is needed to maintain and preserve all the electrical and emergency underground lighting, along with pumps, ventilation fans, massive diesels and hydroelectric plants that provide the electricity for the three caves.
The pathways in one of the caves needs to be kept free from the build-up of tons of silt and sand brought in by underground rivers.
Since 1912 our family has managed to keep the showcaves open despite suffering two foot- andmouth epidemics, numerous depressions and financial collapses, but Covid-19 is the most serious risk to the showcaves so far.
We are fast approaching the point where our money is running out, and the outlook for our economic survival is at best less than 50/50.
The caves, when operating at the height of the season in July and August, employ 62 local people.
The reluctance of the First Minister for Wales to announce a proposed reopening date for Welsh tourism means that there is now a very real prospect that Wales will miss out on the vital tourism income obtained from visitors in July and August.
It really is a crazy situation where England and Scotland have already announced their reopening dates for tourism based on the same scientific advice that Wales uses. We also have self-catering units at the caves, but the information we are being given by the Welsh Government is truly bizarre.
The First Minister is minded to look at reopening self-contained units. However, when tourists come into Wales and arrive at their self-catering cottage, they can at present then only legally drive within a five-mile radius of their cottage during their holiday. Some holiday to remember.
Only our Welsh Government could devise such an idiotic, nonsensical scheme.
We have a PPE strategy in place, risk assessments have been finalised, our staff want to return, and our phone is ringing constantly with tourists asking when we are reopening.
The First Minister is rightly concerned about the health issues Covid-19 brings to Wales.
However, from what leading scientists are saying we are going to have to live with this virus for at least a year.
Does he intend to keep the people of Wales locked up for this length of time?
If so, Welsh people will have been protected, but in many rural areas there will be no jobs for them to return to, as businesses are already near to the point of collapse.
The Welsh Government’s stance that “Wales is shut, so don’t come, and don’t plan on coming” is destroying Wales’ second-largest industry.
The situation is a tragedy for tourism, and mass unemployment looms.
Ashford Price
Chairman
Dan Yr Ogof – The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Influenza caused 15,000 deaths
THE June 2 edition of the Echo printed photographs on pages 2 and 3 of Mark Drakeford and Tommy Cooper – two Welsh comedians, one living, one dead.
One has made a fairly good living out of being a complete idiot, a puppet of Momentum no doubt.
The other made people happy by pretending to be an idiot.
He wasn’t; he was an extremely good magician.
On page 6 of the same publication we have Charlotte Church giving her left-wing views.
Does any reporter have the guts to ask Drakeford and Church any serious questions, such as:
■ Why not open the schools? (trade unions will shut them)
■ Why not open the shops?
■ Why not open the pubs?
■ Why not open hairdressers?
Eighteen months ago influenza caused 15,000 deaths.
Nothing shut and in a few months’ time it will be back as usual and nothing will shut because of it.
Coronavirus is going to remain with us.
Get over it!
The only virus that has been beaten in 100 years is smallpox, and I was tested for that and survived. Brian T Palmer Whitchurch, Cardiff
Does the First Minister intend to keep the people of Wales locked up for a year? Ashford Price
Listen to Blunkett over coronavirus
SURELY David Blunkett’s suggestion for school reopening should be listened to.
He is suggesting that education should follow the health service problem solution.
To stop classroom crowding use empty community halls, church halls and theatres etc.
Look for retired teachers to return. Under the present set-up there’s going to be a lot of needless work in schools to give children only a couple of hours a week (if they’re lucky).
Ron Boyce Cardiff
Vote new beginning without parliament
RE Yes Cymru’s surge in membership.
Apparently it is all due to Westminster’s inept handling of the Covid-19 crisis, which I agree has been slightly concerning at times. But please don’t say the Welsh Government has been the example to follow – we have had the worst transmission rates and testing regime in the UK.
The Yes Cymru spokesman commented that contrary to the views of most economists Wales could afford to go independent.
All we need to do, he says, is to borrow money cheaply and sell 50and 100-year bonds.
Brilliant idea, with security guarantee offered by the Welsh Parliament, which has over the past 20 years had a woeful track record and produced such a slow-growing economy.
Would anyone invest in these bonds offered by a government
which is anti-business and enterprise?
What I can agree on was that we prepare for an early referendum to go independent or remove the parliament.
Unlike Yes Cymru and their 4,000 members I think the Welsh nation will vote for a new beginning without the parliament.
It will save £500m a year and without it our economic prospects are far more encouraging.
Westminster leading us out of difficult times ahead or Mr Drakeford and his gang?
Anyone with any sense will not be voting for the parliament to stay.
Clifford Roger Cardiff
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