Hospitality business is going to need help

IT IS wonderful to read about the optimism that our reporter Robert Harries has found on the beautiful Ceredigion coast.

After a torrid 13 months where too many lives and livelihoods have been lost across the world, UK and Wales, this report is evidence of the renewed hope that is taking hold this spring.

While Ceredigion avoided the worst death and infection rates, its communities – like many across the nation – have been severely impacted by the lack of trade. To have another summer without a healthy stream of tourists visiting these shores would be disastrous, no question.

For business owners who have haemorrhaged revenue over lockdown and are desperately trying to survive, it must be infuriating to see England open up its pubs, cafes and restaurants to outside trade two weeks before they can do so in Wales. The sooner they can do this, the sooner the money returns, and so a week today cannot come soon enough.

However, it must be recognised that April 26 is not a magic date when all their issues will disappear.

Embodying entrepreneurial nous that must be nurtured, these wealth and job creators will need as much long-term support as possible to help the economy, our communities and the nation recover effectively from this pandemic and the lockdowns it has brought.

To enable this, urgent consideration must be given to reopening the tourism and hospitality sectors fully as soon as the scientific data allows. As the vaccination rollout continues and cases fall in significant parts of Wales, it has to be on the table.

Yes, the need for caution remains. Yes, it is likely that social distancing measures will need to be in place for some time to come. But, as Robert’s article and Simon Buckley make clear today, most businesses fully understand these important responsibilities and are determined to make it work for the best. Support to help – and trust – them to do this is imperative as lockdown begins to ease.

They will, of course, need the public’s continued commitment to acting responsibly, if further cases and lockdowns are to be avoided.

However, just as vital will be a government strategy that focuses on pulling every financial, marketing, training and advice lever possible to aid the recovery of two of Wales’ most important sectors.

Without this, given the obvious opportunities that sustainable tourism and hospitality businesses offer, Wales’ future prosperity is at stake.