The latest report from Welsh Government on International Inbound Visits (the International Passenger Survey (IPS) conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are extremely disappointing. The figures reinforce the findings of the Welsh Affairs Committee (July 2023) that stated its concern that Wales attracts such a small proportion of visitors to the UK and that hopes of becoming a global tourist attraction are hampered by confused marketing, a lack of holiday packages and poor transport connections. The Committee’s report highlighted the country's "relatively low profile overseas" and said "Wales lacks a coherent brand for the overseas market".
Suzy Davies, chair of Wales Tourism Alliance, has previously said: "I would like to see us targeting more foreign visitors as it’s been targeted to promote people from within Britain more recently but as Visit Wales is part of the (Welsh) government there is limits in the amount of money that can be spent on internal and foreign marketing and I know that the report mentions this”. The following are summaries from the 2022 data: There was a total of 686,000 inbound visits to Wales (33% down on 2019) and £391 million in spend (24% lower than in 2019). This represents the largest drop among UK regions compared with 2019, with visitor numbers now lagging significantly behind other regions. In contrast to this, there were 3.2 million visits to Scotland (down 7% on 2019) and a record spend of £3.2bil (up 24% on 2019). For London there were 16.1 million visits in 2022 (down 26% on 2019) and an overall spend of £14.1bil (10% down on 2019). For England (not inc. London) there were 13.2 million visits in 2022, 22% down on the 2019 number, and overall spend was also down (6% below 2019) at £8.5bil. The Full report can be found here: International inbound visits and spend to Wales | GOV.WALES
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Wales’s tourism industry seeks more than a Valentine’s card from First Minister contenders14/2/2024 PRESS RELEASE
Tourism industry representatives have written to the two candidates vying for the role of the First Minister - and are looking for action not sweet words. The industry, which employs more people than the steel industry in Wales, has been dealing with a flood of policy changes from different Welsh Government ministers in the last two years. Thousands of small businesses, key to their local economies, are being overwhelmed by the number of new regulations and costs which are being imposed in such a short space of time. The Wales Tourism Alliance, the cross-sectoral membership body, representing over 6000 businesses in Wales, has written to Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles, pointing out that, as the First Minister has the oversight of all departments, he should be querying the cumulative effect of all these interventions. As well as representatives from regional marketing organisations, different types of accommodation, attractions and language schools, the letter is signed by the Welsh Retail Consortium, the Farmers Union of Wales and the Country Landowners Association. Suzy Davies, Chair of the WTA said: “It is important that the new First Minister understands that tourism is an eco-system as well as an industry. It is a joint effort by everyone who shares their part of the world with visitors, and who subsequently share the benefits. The co-signatories to this letter reflect this wider understanding, and that tourism remains a prime economic driver in so many parts of Wales “If you target one sector, the effects ripple out beyond the immediate focus and affect other businesses, not just on the high street, but laundries, timber yards, fabricators, landscapers, printers, solicitors, accountants, heritage properties, conference facilities, events management, skills development, education providers and - of course - local food and drink producers. All the signatories to the letter represent areas of activity which will see Welsh Government budget cuts this year at a time when their members are also facing other Made-in-Wales challenges on top of UK and global pressures. The competitive disadvantages for an industry currently dependent on the domestic market are obvious. “We are asking the candidates to commit to a date for a review of the cumulative effect of policies currently affecting tourism; business rate relief, the 182-day rule, council tax premiums, planning restrictions, specific changes to fire and waste collection regulations. We also ask them to consider, within that, the additional effect of proposed policies such as statutory licensing, tourism tax and changes to the school year. We would expect any such review to include consideration of the knock-on effects across that eco-system, for example, on retail and farming. She added: “We also ask for action, in the first 100 days, on the 182-day rule. This treats bona fide local holiday let businesses as second homes, for the purposes of local taxation, if they cannot show 182-days occupancy. This means they are denied business rate relief and required to pay domestic council tax instead, and at increasing levels of premium in some local authority areas. However they will still be subject to the same costs and regulatory requirements, including national tax, as other businesses, which is both unique and legally incoherent. “We have no argument with Welsh Government trying to manage the number of second homes - but these businesses are not second homes. The new First Minister will be asked either to change the threshold or accept the need for some exceptions in the most serious cases of injustice. “We are looking for a First Minister who sees the benefits of a well-being industry for Wales, and understands that good relationships need more than sweet words” ENDS The Welsh Government has announced its draft budget including updates relating to Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) that will take effect between April 1, 2024, to 31st March 2025.
Of note: · The increase to the NDR multiplier in Wales is capped at 5% for 2024-25 – lower than the 6.7% (September CPI) increase which would normally be applied. This is subject to approval by the Senedd. · The provisional multiplier for 2024-25 is 0.562. · There will be transitional relief for all ratepayers whose liability increased by more than £300 as a consequence of revaluation which came into force in April 1, 2023. Any increases will be phased in over two years. Affected ratepayers will pay 33% of their additional NDR liability this year (2023-24), increasing to 66% in 2024-25. Full liability will be reached in the third year (2025-26). · The Government also announced an additional £78m to provide support for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. Eligible ratepayers will receive 40% NDR relief for the duration of 2024-25. As in previous years, the relief will be capped at £110,000 per business across Wales. · A fund for impacted sectors will be established to support the wider NDR policies, aimed at helping SMEs in retail, leisure and hospitality. The funding will be focused on measures to help businesses future-proof in the 2024-25 financial year. Sadly, another great supporter of our industry has passed away in recent days. We are very much saddened at the loss of a very well-respected friend and colleague, Jonathan Jones. Jonathan (Jo) Jones led the then Wales Tourist Board (WTB) team as Chief Executive from 1999 - 2006 and then as Welsh Government’s (Visit Wales) Director of Tourism and Marketing from April 2006 - July 2012. From there he became Director of the Welsh Government office, London and retired in August 2013, though continued to be part of the tourism industry as an Independent Tourism Consultant, until the present day. In 2012 Jo received the CBE in the Queen's Honours List and said at the time, that he accepted the honour on behalf of "everyone who works so hard in the tourism industry in Wales. Without their support, it would be impossible to achieve what I do".
We will all remember him as an absolute professional and ambassador for our country and as a good friend with innate communications skills and a twinkle in his eye! The Board of the Wales Tourism Alliance were very sad to hear the news of the recent passing of Paul Loveluck (former Deputy Chair of the WTA).
Paul had a long and distinguished career for over 50 years. Most notably he served as Chief Executive of both the Wales Tourist Board and then the Countryside Council for Wales. When he retired from his executive positions, he was appointed President of the National Museum of Wales, where he served until 2011. Paul also served as a member of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales. Paul will be very much missed as both a dear friend and colleague. The WTA recently hosted a Tourism Symposium' on the 25th January 2024 at the Hope Church Conference Centre in Newtown, Powys. This was an important collaborative event, with aim being to commence a process which will move toward finding ‘sustainable structures and sustainable practices’. Suzy Davies, WTA Chair guided the day. The speakers included Jason Thomas, Director Culture Sport & Tourism, Welsh Government; Ian Edwards, Wales Representative of the British Tourism Association (Visit Britain); Michael Booth, Attractions Manager, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Elan Valley - 'The Mid Wales Growth Deal' and Marc Crothall MBE, Director, Scottish Tourism Alliance (who joined us via live link form Scotland). We also had a panel session which was chaired by Prof Andrew Campbell, Chair of the Welsh Government Ministerial Advisory Board for the Economy and former Chair WTA. The panel took questions and included Val Hawkins MBE - CEO Mid Wales Tourism; Sheena Carlisle, Research Associate, Cardiff University; Dave Chapman, Executive Director, UK Hospitality Cymru and James Parkin, Director Nature & Tourism, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The core purpose was to better understand the tourism industry's existing structures on the ground, its strengths and weaknesses, and to consider how engagement, partnership-working and funding streams might operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. We considered the host communities, the environment and the wider economy, but the context was and is firmly fixed on the future of tourism. As a note of clarification, this was not a forum for taking issue with specific policies or decision makers, it was about putting our shared expertise to better use. The event was held in acknowledgement that the fragmented nature of the industry and the need to work together more effectively together is imperative for its success. The outcome from the day was to identify and agree a series of principles and recommendations to guide future collaboration in removing obstacles and disadvantages. Thank you to our speakers and delegates for what was a lively and interesting day. We are also grateful to our WTA member, British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) for its generous financial support in making the symposium possible. A full report will follow in due course. A new ‘Pitching the Value’ report was released this week by the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA) highlighting the economic value and wellbeing impact of the UK holiday parks and campsites sector and its important contribution to UK domestic tourism. Headline statistics from the ‘Pitching the Value’ economic benefit report 2024 record that the sector:
Despite the challenges businesses have faced in the past few years such as Brexit, the Covid pandemic and more recently the cost-of-living crisis, the latest UKCCA report demonstrates the holiday park and campsite sector is resilient and continues to make a significant contribution to the UK economy. For more information please email policy@thencc.org.uk Wales report here: https://www.ukcca.org.uk/media/yhhh1nfk/ukcca-wales-report-2024.pdf . A coalition led by the Wales Association of Visitor Attractions, Welsh tourism organisations, trade unions and farming unions are calling on the Welsh Government to scrap its proposed reform of the school year. The changes would see the number of weeks in the school summer holiday reduced from six to five – with a week taken from the summer holidays added to the autumn half term. There is a possibility the Welsh Government could further reduce the summer school holiday to four weeks under the new plans. The Welsh Government has claimed the change would benefit disadvantaged pupils and boost the wellbeing of students and teachers.
The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions warn that many attractions take over 45% of their entire yearly income during the school summer holidays, and any loss of summer revenue would lead to closures and job losses. Fears have been raised that putting a key summer week into the October half term would mean a loss of tens of thousands of pounds for many Welsh attractions. The past two autumn half terms have been plagued by storms leading to some attractions being forced to close. Tourism bosses say many young people are employed by businesses during the summer break and the current six-week period allows time to train and engage with youngsters. Ashford Price, Chairman of Dan Yr Ogof, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales said: “The situation really is quite desperate not only for tourism but also for teaching, plus the Royal Welsh Show and the farmers of Wales. “This idea of dropping the number of weeks in the summer down shouldn’t go ahead because the damage it will do to huge sections of the Welsh economy and also staff working in schools will have a devastating effect. We are calling on the education minister to drop the idea so we can get on and not have to spend our time fire fighting.” Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism & Sport, Tom Giffard warned the new measures would be damaging to the trourism sector in Wales. He said: “It’s clear that the Welsh Government’s plans to meddle with the school year are both unpopular and deeply damaging to our economy. The tourism sector in particular relies on the six-week school holiday to see them through the winter months. The Welsh Government’s school year changes are part of a long list of damaging measures inflicted upon the tourism sector, sitting alongside the likes of their toxic tourism tax and changes to self-catering holiday let rules. One in seven jobs in Wales relies on the tourism economy, it’s high time the Welsh Government supported the sector, rather than continue to punish it.” Adrian Greason-Walker, WTA attended the ‘Introductory Meeting of the Visitor Levy Working Group’ l(18/01/24). Welsh Government and the Welsh Revenue Authority have invited key industry stakeholders to discuss operational details in respect of the proposed discretionary levy for local authorities (or Tourism Tax). Both WG and WRA are now looking for feedback to assist in the development of policy.
Whilst it was made clear that the meeting/s are not about discussing the policy behind the proposed levy, it was made also stated by AGW from the start that attendance at the meeting did not mean endorsement of the Tourism Levy and that the majority of members still remain opposed. A robust, but cordial meeting then took place, it was however merely an introductory session so was relatively brief. The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) shared a look forward and then received questions from the floor on the topics they discussed. We have agreed to continue to attend to ensure that we can, as much as is possible, steer the course of the policy development to try and ensure little or no unintended consequences occur? Draft legislation will be introduced into the Senedd in the Autumn for the scrutiny stages. Welsh food and drink products the “golden ticket” for hospitality businesses: According to research31/1/2024 This may be of interest to those members who serve food and drink on their premises. From the Culinary Association of Wales: Hospitality businesses across Wales are losing sales and customers if they don’t use Welsh food and drink products on their menu.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, president of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), an organisation representing chefs and butchers across Wales has highlighted market research undertaken by the Welsh Government Food and Drink Insight Programme, which has been exploring the attitudes of customers towards Welshness since 2017. “The pivotal question asked is: Does Welshness matter? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’,” Mr Watkins told the Welsh International Culinary Championships Awards Dinner at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport. “Latest research for 2023 speaks volumes about the value of our heritage in every dish we serve. The preference for dishes made with Welsh ingredients rose from eight in 10 in 2017 to an astounding nine in 10 last year. “More than half our guests would like more local or Welsh items on the menu and four in 10 would willingly pay a premium for dishes with Welsh ingredients. This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s a golden ticket for us to showcase our Welsh produce whilst maximising our revenues.” The research also revealed that six in 10 visitors were more likely to visit a venue with Welsh products on the menu, with a quarter admitting that an absence of these options was a deterrent. Nine in 10 believed that venues should promote their use of Welsh food and drink. “Welshness matters. It’s not just a badge of identity, it’s a powerful catalyst for sales and profit. Let us be proud of our heritage, embrace Welshness in our culinary creations and proudly promote this in every dish we serve. “In doing so, we not only pay homage to our rich culture, but also pave the way for a thriving, prosperous future in the Welsh culinary scene.” View the research results at https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/welsh-food-drink-performance/value-welshness |