THIS WEEK Pembrokeshire Tourism and colleagues from Tourism Associations throughout Wales have reacted to the ongoing lack of direction for the tourism industry by once again calling on the Welsh Government to provide a clear plan for the reopening of tourism sectors and to finally publish guidance on new working practices designed to keep visitors and staff safe.
A spokesperson from Pembrokeshire Tourism posted on Facebook saying: “As tourism operators, we understand and support the need for caution from a public health point of view.
“It is vital that our communities and health services are protected but what is the point of feeding in the lockdown concerns of tourism industry providers and members of the public if no action is taken to move things forward?
“This is not a case of so-called “wealth over health”. Economically, the C-19 crisis is a disaster for everyone. The irrecoverable loss of £millions from the local economy that tourism brings in will affect every community throughout Pembrokeshire and impact on everyone whether they are employed in tourism or not. Under these circumstances, it is our role to represent not only our members but also the wider industry. A resumption of trade for tourism sectors can help to minimize the economic impact that will be felt by communities across the county.”
This is the letter Pembrokeshire Tourism wrote to the First Minister:
Dear First Minister,
I write to you as both the Chairman of Pembrokeshire Tourism Association, and as the owner of a long-established Pembrokeshire accommodation business.
Absolutely nothing could have prepared us for what Covid-19 has done on a global scale. However, it is closer to home where our major concerns now lie – with the livelihoods of every single tourism economy business in Pembrokeshire.
Essentially it is quite clear that we are increasingly anxious about the lack of clarity on opening dates given the level of damage being caused to our sector by a delay in providing clear guidance.
Without exception, businesses are completely aligned with the need to prioritise public health and work with our communities – it is these same businesses that help support the financial and economic health of the communities around them.
However, right now the lack of clarity on reopening strategy and dates is putting our businesses at much greater risk than we ever expected when we embarked on this lockdown in March.
Having “Wales closed for the summer” in the headlines across national press this week has made a bad situation worse – with a marked jump in bookings and business order cancellations noted across the board. It is not surprising that ever-increasing numbers of business leaders are now looking at the prospect of redundancies and closure – potentially leaving a huge hole in their communities.
I don’t think I can express clearly enough the worry and frustration sweeping the sector when this could have potentially been avoided if there was clarity on a date. Adding to the frustration is the fact that our neighbours England and Ireland, as well as the rest of Europe, are able to offer their tourism sectors more certainty. Here businesses can market their reopening in good time to capture a sensible base level of bookings from this historic low.
I will take this opportunity to add our voice to the increasing chorus of businesses, large and small, looking for a light at the end of this long tunnel. For the sake of our livelihoods – please give us back some hope, the alternative is unthinkable.
Yours sincerely
Jane Rees-Baynes
Chair
Pembrokeshire Tourism
