June 11, 2020 - 1581 views
North Wales Tourism has written to Wales' First Minister in frustration after weeks of uncertainty and worries about what the future will bring in an area which is highly dependent on the tourist pound.
In an open letter to Mark Drakeford, the chair of North Wales Tourism Chris Frost pulled no punches on behalf of members and spoke of some very real concerns about how Welsh Government was handling the tourism and hospitality sector.
Whilst acknowledging the importance of keeping the public safe, Mr. Frost said members deserved to know what scientific evidence existed to prevent Welsh Government from moving quickly to give the industry some vision and hope.
"It is entirely possible that Wales is in a unique situation and that the scientific advice metered out to other areas of the UK does not apply to us. Or it could be that your government have genuine reasons for your inaction. If its the former please show us your evidence."
Mr. Frost also hit out at what he claimed was the First Minister's apparent 'distain' of the sector.
"Your article in the i newpaper sent a message to us all that you have no regard nor respect for an industry which brings the country so much. Whether intended or not, this was the tone conveyed by the article.
"You claim this week that you have been consulting with the tourism sector in Wales. We don't believe you have been in converation with a single one of our members. If you are consulting with local authorities and South Wales businesses, this will not reflect the needs of our region."
Mr. Frost's letter concluded by asking the First Minister to be clear, decisive and provide the industry with a clear roadmap towards re-opening.
"If you can't, we ask you to be open and transparent and share with us the scientific evidence and the sources of insights upon which you are basing your decisions." he added.
This is the open letter in full:
Dear First Minister
The Board of North Wales Tourism, on behalf of our members, are writing to you with increasing concern of your handling of our tourism and hospitality sector as we emerge from lockdown in Wales.
North Wales Tourism is Wales’ leading tourism membership organisations, representing over 2000 tourism and hospitality businesses. The tourism economy in North Wales is directly worth more than £3.2bn annually and provides approximately 42,000 jobs. On top of that, our tourism industry supports an enormous supply chain, meaning many thousands more businesses in North Wales, and beyond, depend on this sector.
Like everyone else, our members witnessed the impact of Covid-19 with horror. To save lives and protect the health of our staff, visitors and communities, we all closed down as instructed in March. We have adhered to the rules imposed on us and believed that despite income losses running into the hundreds of millions, and many businesses teetering on a knife-edge, we were contributing our part to the greater good.
In all other countries within the UK and indeed across the rest of Europe, plans are being released to enable some kind of new normal to emerge for their tourism and hospitality sectors. Scotland, Northern Ireland and England all have specific timelines, guidelines and roadmaps. Businesses have a plan to work to, and they have hope. Wales is now the only nation yet to provide any hope at all to their tourism sector.
As other home nations open, we continue to suffer huge losses. We are no longer contributing to the greater good – we are contributing more.
It is entirely possible that Wales is in a unique situation and that the scientific advice metered out to other nations in the UK does not apply to us. Or it could be that your government have genuine reasons for your inaction. If it’s the former, please show us the science.
Your article in the I newspaper at the weekend sent a message to us all that you have no regard nor respect for an industry which brings this country so much. Whether intended or not, this was the tone that was conveyed by the article. You claim this week that you have been consulting with the tourism sector in Wales. We don’t believe you have been in conversation with a single one of our members. If you are consulting with local authorities and South Wales businesses, this will not reflect the needs of our region.
We cannot be in lockdown forever and it is clear we are going to have to live with Covid19 for some time yet. We are confident that our tourism and hospitality businesses will be able to provide all necessary measures to protect their employees, visitors and communities. We have already been working hard on preparing for a safe return despite the lack of clarity from your government.
This is not a debate between business and lives. These are our communities too. This is about the potential for a sector to be decimated so badly it will take years to recover. This is about many thousands of people who have poured their heart and soul and everything they own into growing a tourism business that brings them enormous pride and creates jobs, now facing a future in which they have lost everything. This is about communities who depend on those businesses facing higher levels of unemployment and inequalities. Some communities who depend almost exclusively from tourism jobs and income may not recover.
We urge you to be clear, decisive and give us some hope and a clear road map to reopening. If you can’t, we ask you to be open and transparent and share with us the scientific evidence and the sources of insights upon which you are basing your decisions.
Yours sincerely
North Wales Tourism, on behalf of all its members.
