Tourism bosses: We won’t forget how we’ve been treated

WELSH tourism leaders say they will “not forget” the industry’s treatment by ministers as they plotted a way out of lockdown.

The lack of a well-defined roadmap, as in England, had caused huge “anxiety and confusion” for many businesses that were grappling to say afloat, said North Wales Tourism (NWT).

Yesterday the Welsh Government announced May 17 as the date when pubs, restaurants and indoor tourism attractions can fully reopen after more than five months.

Outdoor hospitality and tourism attractions reopened yesterday.

NWT chief executive Jim Jones applauded the new clarity but he said previous uncertainty had further damaged businesses that were already on their knees.

The sector had repeatedly called for a lockdown-easing plan that was in alignment with England, which accounts for 80% of Welsh tourism income.

Mr Jones warned Cardiff ’s obfuscation would not be swept under the carpet.

He said: “Whilst this is a welcome step on the road to recovery, let’s not shy away from calling out reluctance by the Welsh Government to provide the business sector with a roadmap.

“This is something the tourism and hospitality sector will not forget in a hurry.

“A great degree of anxiety and confusion for many of our tourism and hospitality businesses has been caused unnecessarily right the way through this whole pandemic.”

According to First Minister Mark Drakeford, the time is now right to allow the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – to fully reopen on May 17.

However, he said it would be for the next Welsh Government to confirm the arrangements at the next three-week review on May 13.

Mr Drakeford added: “This is faster than we had originally expected and reflects the progress we have made in controlling the virus and rolling out vaccination across Wales.”

Reopening cannot come soon enough for indoor tourism attractions, most of which were only able to trade for 10 weeks in 2020

According to the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), the loss of Easter income, and now the May Day holiday, has already cost the sector a quarter of its annual income for 2021.