‘Jobs are vital for the future of tourism’
TOURISM has a bright future but more needs to be done to get people to pursue careers in the sector, said Economy Minister Vaughan Gething.
The minister earlier this week oultined a vision for the economy with a focus on raising wages and skills while also decarbonising the Welsh economy. He aso identified the current brain drain out of Wales, coupled with an ageing population, as a key challenge
Mr Gething said: “We’ve had a really useful and positive engagement with the tourism and the hospitality sector on encouraging people to look at careers, not just short term jobs, within those sectors.
“Because of some of the changes that are taking place during and post the pandemic we are seeing labour shortage in some of those areas.
“That has actually meant many of those businesses have had to look again at both the terms of which those jobs are offered, the flexibility around them, but also the wages as well.”
The huge influx of visitors in 2021 was a welcome boost to a lockdown hit sectors but did cause issues with communities in some areas due to the sheer numbers of people and problems with littering and flycamping.
Mr Gething said: “Now there is an ongoing challenge about how we make sure that tourism, that does have a huge economic impact here in Wales, is done on a basis where jobs are protected and enhanced but also on a sustainable basis, sustainable in terms of those communities that see benefit from tourism but also some of the challenges that come with it.
“Also sustainable in the way people behave when they are here to make sure people don’t leave an unpleasant footprint from their visit and enjoying what Wales has to offer.
“I’m positive about our ability to do that and extend the season as well and to do that hand in hand
with people working in the tourism sector. That will of course need some balance about ensuring where people stay has a really sustained community around it.”
Since returning to government in May proposals for a tourism tax from the Welsh Government has gone out to consultation.
This has come under fire from the businesses and sector groups but councils like Gwynedd have welcomed a debate on this issue and under the proposal any final decision for a levy would lie with local authorities.
Mr Gething added: “It is important we carry forward the conversation on what a tourism levy could look like, to invest in the infrastructure within those communities to make sure there is a real benefit and opportunity to see real gain from it.
“I do think there is a very bright future for the tourism sector here in Wales.”