PEMBROKESHIRE’s tourism businesses, so badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, were given a small measure of hope for the summer season on Wednesday (June 10).
Tourism in Wales is collectively responsible for over £6.2Billion to Welsh GDP and over 172,000 jobs.
During the Welsh Government’s daily media briefing, Minister for the Economy Ken Skates cautiously pencilled-in July 9 as the date when the Welsh Government could announce the easing of lockdown restrictions for tourism in Wales.
He did so after reminding the public the five-mile limit on travel could be tailored to local needs. For example, if the nearest supermarket is ten miles away, ten miles is ‘local to you’.
Addressing a question from ITV Wales’ Adrian Masters, Ken Skates referred to the consistent approach of the Welsh Government to easing lockdown restrictions and highlighted the perils of making policy ‘on the hoof’ in the way the Westminster Government did over schools’ reopening.
He said that non-essential retail should have taken a hint on timelines from the last restriction review, which gave a date at which non-essential retail restrictions could be eased.
Mr Skates said the important factor was that the public needed confidence that it was safe to reopen tourist attractions so, when the time came, the public would be ready to go to them.
A subsequent question from Paul Martin from BBC Wales picked up the Minister’s words on tourist attractions and asked when restrictions on travel might be lifted.
Mr Skates responded: “As we look to reopen the tourism sector, we will have to review our current guidance. We must not ruin the prospects of the visitor economy for 2021 by prematurely opening up the economy in the summer of 2020. We have a regular rhythm of reviews.
“The next review point is on June 18 and the date of the next on July 9. In other parts of the UK, the dates being considered for reopening the tourism sector on July 4; in Northern Ireland, the date under consideration is July 20. There is no significant difference between us, other devolved governments, and the UK Government on the timing of reopening some parts of the tourism and hospitality sector. Our review dates are fixed and we hope to have positive news for that sector.”
Later the same afternoon, Conservative leader Paul Davies raised tourism with First Minister Mark Drakeford.
Referring to Mr Drakeford’s weekend comments which warned that Wales would remain closed to visitors until the Welsh Government’s scientific advisors approved a change in approach, Mr Davies said: “Your comments were met with some anger and frustration by some tourism operators across the country, who, understandably, fear that this could lead to the collapse of the Welsh tourism sector.”
Mr Davies spelt out his and his party’s understanding that public health concerns remained paramount, and asked: “Will you and your Government take the opportunity today to spell out exactly what the Welsh Government’s current plans are for the tourism industry here in Wales? And can you also tell us what discussions you’ve had with representatives of the tourism industry to ascertain how your Government can better support them throughout this pandemic? And will you commit to providing further support to tourism operators across Wales until they can reopen, to ensure their viability for the future?”
Mr Drakeford responded: “The future of the tourism industry is very much in my thoughts and in the work that we do within the Welsh Government. I absolutely appreciate what an enormous impact the virus has had on that sector here in Wales.”
He continued: “There are some ways in which we might yet be able to resume some tourism activity during the current season, but it will have to be, as Paul Davies has rightly said, with safety at the forefront of our thinking. We have very regular contact with tourism organisations and interests in Wales.
“I had a meeting only yesterday with the Minister responsible (Dafydd Elis Thomas), with senior officials here, reporting on those conversations and thinking ahead to what we might be able to offer in terms of lifting the lockdown.
“If it is possible, then, beginning with self-contained accommodation, where people are not sharing kitchens and toilets and showers and so on, seems to be a sensible and safe way of thinking about how we can resume activity in the tourism industry.”
In a debate on economic recovery later in the same session, Ken Skates said the Welsh Government’s message to tourism businesses – and all businesses – was clear: “You’ll be able to plan for reopening, where we believe that it can be carried out safely and that those physical adaptations that are required for a business to reopen, or an attraction to reopen, can be implemented in a timely fashion.”
