Tourism in Wales must be protected from Brexit

WE COULD not have wished for better weather for last week’s Wales Tourism Week.

Tourism creates jobs and supports business across Wales. It is responsible for about 172,000 jobs – and this is expected to rise to 188,000 by 2020. Every year, there are more than 10 million overnight stays in Wales; 80% of visitor spending is from outside the country.

Many come from other parts of the UK, but we are also increasing our profile as an international destination – 10% of our tourists come from overseas, accounting for 20% of spend. Visit Wales estimates that its marketing puts an extra £356m a year into the Welsh economy. But it will become very challenging in the months ahead as we leave the EU. That is why we need assurances that every penny of EU tourism funding we lose will be replaced.

Fifty-six million trips were made by UK residents to Europe in 2016. So while we are concerned about the effects of leaving the EU on Wales, other EU countries are worried too. A major factor in going on holiday in the EU is the Single Market – outside that, travel will be much more difficult.

The tourism and travel industries have expressed concern. There could be fewer flights and we don’t know what will happen to our European Health Insurance or the Package Travel Directive which protects our consumer rights. We have taken our ability to travel freely for granted. All that could change.

Pembrokeshire is more dependent on tourism than Blackpool. It is an industry that Wales could develop if we do it sustainably and in a way that benefits our communities and our countryside. To realise our incredible potential, we must have the necessary powers and resources. In today’s Wales, that is a bleak prospect.

I recently visited Ireland to see how they have invested in sustainable, year-round tourist projects. The Waterford Greenway is an amazing 46km cycling and walking trail along an old railway line across 11 bridges, over three viaducts and through a 400m-long tunnel. It is a huge success which I hope bodes well for the Rhondda Tunnel.

The European Committee of the Regions has set up a working group to look at offering support to the areas in Europe which will be most affected if we leave the EU. It is essential that we have a Welsh voice on that committee.