Tourism leaders call for communication with Welsh Government

The call came at a sell-out conference, which attracted 120 delegates as well as exhibitors and sponsors at the Metropole Hotel and Spa in Llandrindod Wells that was organised by Mid Wales Tourism Cymru.

Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) chairman Suzy Davies said her organisation, which represents around 6,000 businesses in all sectors of tourism industry across Wales, was working with others to restore the industry’s relationship with the Welsh Government after “a breakdown of communication”  stemming from the introduction of the 182-day rule for self-catering accommodation in Wales

The new rule will see self-catering accommodation that fails to be occupied for 182 days of the year at risk of paying much higher council tax and Mrs Davies said it had not been listening and businesses had lost faith in the consultation processes.

MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans speaking at the conference (Image: Duncan Foulkes PR)

“The current engagement structures don’t work for either the Welsh Government or the tourism industry,” said Mrs Davies. “The industry must be in the room when the Welsh Government shapes and designs policy and we need to be listened to.”

However Mrs Davies added “there were signs that the Welsh Government was now beginning to listen to the industry’s collective voice” – as a review of the 182-day rule had been promised and the tourism tax had been delayed until 2027.

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Steve Hughson, chairman of both the Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum and the Event Wales Industry Advisory Group, also stressed the importance of a united tourism industry working closely with the Welsh Government to influence and shape policies to ensure that they work well when introduced.

“We can get the Welsh Government and Visit Wales to change, so long as we work in partnership in a polite, respectful and evidence-based way,” he said. “It has never been more important that we work together.”

Wales Tourism Alliance chairman Suzy Davies being interviewed by Phil Blizzard for a conference podcast. (Image: Duncan Foulkes PR)

Mid Wales Tourism Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans said the new rules “will undoubtedly have a major impact on the industry when the legislation is implemented”.

“We are already starting to see the effect of 182-day rule on self-catering holidays. As it stands at the moment, next year we will also have full business rates to contend with, among other changes,” added Mr Rees-Evans.

“MWT Cymru has always tried to look after its members, business partners and community groups with help and support from our great team who try to get ahead of the curve whenever new legislation, rules and regulations are being put in front of us.”