Tourism leaders in Mid Wales have backed a call by a Welsh Government taskforce to bring forward the reopening of indoor hospitality and the wider tourism sector.
 
Under the existing plans for Wales, outdoor hospitality and tourism are set to reopen on April 26, with indoor hospitality and indoor tourism attractions earmarked for the end of May.
 
Now the Covid-19 Tourism Taskforce, set up by Welsh Government and representing the hospitality and tourism industry in Wales, has written to First Minister Mark Drakeford asking him to forward the reopening dates in line with England and Scotland, or even sooner. This would see indoor hospitality and indoor attractions reopen on May 17.
 
MWT Cymru, which represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd, has backed the letter and commended the work of the taskforce throughout the pandemic.
 
Rowland Rees-Evans, MWT Cymru’s chairman, is calling for the taskforce to continue its work during the Covid-19 recovery period and beyond and for the next Welsh Government to create a Cabinet Minister for Tourism.
 
“We welcome the taskforce’s letter to the First Minister because it comes from the whole hospitality and tourism industry,” he said. “The Welsh Government has said all along that the reopening dates are guided by the Covid-19 infection rate data because it doesn’t want the NHS to be overwhelmed.
 
 
“We are now at the stage where the data has overtaken the dates, so why can’t we reopen faster. If we don’t reopen the industry in line with England, Wales is going to lose out again and people are going to book holidays and short breaks in other parts of the UK.
 
“We feel that the Welsh Parliament-Senedd Cymru election should have been delayed because purdah is standing in the way of important decisions during an absolutely crucial time for the industry.
 
“We would like to thank the Covid-19 Tourism Taskforce for its excellent work during the pandemic and we think it’s essential that it carries on representing the hospitality and tourism industry during the recovery and beyond. We also believe there is a definite need for a Cabinet Minister for Tourism in the next Welsh Government.”
 
Taskforce member, Wales Tourism Alliance chairman Andrew Campbell said: “We are calling for flexibility in bringing forward the reopening of indoor hospitality and attractions, following the excellent work done by the Welsh Government in controlling the Covid-19 infection rate in Wales.
 
“We must get the sector open because businesses need to start trading as their cash reserves are low. It’s essential that the sector continues to have the ability to feed in concerns and issues to the Welsh Government as and when they arise.”
 
Representing Mid Wales on the taskforce is Steve Hughson, Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum chair and chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society at Llanelwedd.
 
Other taskforce members based in Mid Wales include Adrian Greason-Walker, Wales Tourism Alliance’s Wales policy advisor who lives at Nantmel, near Rhayader and Anthony Rosser, Hospitality Cymru’s chair who is general manager and operations director of Lake Vyrnwy Hotel.
 
The taskforce’s letter praises the First Minister and Welsh Government for saving lives in Wales and protecting health services from being overwhelmed. However, it says the time has come to reopen the hospitality and tourism sector.
 
“We appeal with urgency for an early reopening and the positive opportunity to help you begin the economic rebuild that our great industry can help the new government to deliver in the coming months,” it states.
 
“As a taskforce, we very much look forward to working together with that government to bring forward business stability, staff wellbeing, community replenishment and a Croeso Cynnes to our customers and visitors.”

Mark Drakeford AS/MS
First Minister
Welsh Government,
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA
 
CC:
Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
 
14th April 2021
 
Dear First Minister,

Call to bring forward the reopening of indoor hospitality and associated Tourism businesses.
​
We, the industry representatives of the COVID-19 Tourism Taskforce Group, are writing to strongly urge you to make a positive statement on the early re-opening of indoor hospitality and associated tourism businesses at your next First Minister’s Announcement on the 22nd April 2021.
 
We are asking for a reopening date for our businesses in Wales to at least match the indoor hospitality dates of 17th May that are now in place in both England and Scotland- and even earlier if it is possible.
 
Your resolve in putting the health and safety of our nation above all other priorities has saved lives, protected health care provision and sent out a clear message that Wales will be a safe destination to visit when the time is right. We also recognise the enormous success of the Welsh Government’s vaccination programme, which has seen a rapid drop in the cases logged across Wales in recent weeks.
 
We believe your delivery of both to date now shows conditions are right to make a clear and positive statement and bring forward the much needed reopening of tourism and hospitality businesses in Wales.
 
The data for Wales is showing hugely encouraging signs with cases falling to a low of below 20 per 100,000- the lowest number since our industry was open for business in September. This advance has this week prompted your announcements of an earlier opening for gyms, leisure businesses and further household mixing.
 
We would like equal consideration for our businesses. We believe the clear change in conditions should allow our businesses to open much earlier than the tentative “before the end of May” timings outlined in your last review. What hasn’t changed in recent weeks are the anxiety levels, mental health concerns and wellbeing issues of our owners, managers and of their staff, who are desperate for the surety of day-to-day living that a return to work provides.
 
While forced to close, and only around 30 per cent of our businesses can open with outdoor hospitality, and while without the confirmation of additional financial support resources while shut, they also face making serious decisions about their, and their workforce’s, futures.
 
Further support, while we are forced to be closed, is critical to maintain the excellent work on supporting businesses in Wales achieved to date- and we urge Welsh Government to make sure jobs throughout the industry are continued to be supported and protected as we wait to reopen.
 
However, nothing can replace our ability to trade. We appeal with urgency for an early reopening and the positive opportunity to help you begin the economic rebuild that our great industry can help the new Government to deliver in the coming months.
 
As a Taskforce, we very much look forward to working together with that Government to bring forward business stability, staff wellbeing, community replenishment and a Croeso Cynnes to our customers and visitors.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 
Michael Bewick                          Steve Hughson
Chair                                          Chair
North Wales Regional                  Mid Wales Regional
Tourism Forum                            Tourism Forum
 
Philippa George                         Paula Ellis
Chair                                          Chair
South East Regional                    South West Regional
Tourism Forum                            Tourism Forum
 
Andrew Campbell                      Anthony Rosser
Chairman                                    Chairman                         
Wales Tourism Alliance               Hospitality Cymru             
 
Ian Edwards                               Sean Taylor
Visit Britain Board                        British Tourist Authority
 
David Chapman                           Adrian Greason-Walker
Executive Director Wales              Policy Advisor
UKHospitality Cymru                     Wales Tourism Alliance

The Welsh Government has announced the further acceleration of elements of its programme to relax COVID-19 restrictions. The public will be able to form an extended household, visit the gym or take part in organised outdoor activities a week earlier than planned, as the public health situation - and vaccination rates - continue to improve. The First Minister last week set out a detailed timetable for moving Wales firmly into alert level three.
 
From Monday 12 April, the following relaxations are in place:

• The full return of children to schools for face-to-face education, all post-16 learners return to further education and training centres, and university campuses are able to open for blended face-to-face/online learning for all students
• All remaining shops reopen, completing the phased reopening of non-essential retail
• All remaining close contact services open, including mobile services
• Travel restrictions on traveling into and out of Wales are lifted. However, restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area without a reasonable excuse, remain in place. The Common Travel Area means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland
• Wedding ‘show-arounds’ by appointment are allowed

Further easements to restrictions in the coming weeks will be subject to the public health situation remaining favourable. The WTA will be seeking earlier opening for indoor hospitality if possible. Further easements will be confirmed by the First Minister at the next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations on 22 April.
 
On Monday 26 April:    

• Outdoor attractions, including funfairs and theme parks, would be allowed to reopen
• Outdoor hospitality can resume, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants. Indoor hospitality will remain closed except for takeaways
• Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can again take place (previously Monday 3 May)
• Weddings receptions can take place outdoors for up to 30 people (previously Monday 3 May)

On Monday 3 May (previously Monday 10 May):

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen. This will include individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes
• Extended household will again allow two households to meet and have contact indoors

Caravan parks across Mid Wales are pulling out all the stops to welcome back England-based customers safely on Monday, April 12 as Covid 19 lockdown restrictions continue to ease. The Welsh Government took the first step to easing restrictions on March 27 when caravan parks and other self-contained accommodation were able to open to people living within Wales.
 
Now people living across the Welsh border will be able to return to caravan holiday home parks and drive to touring caravan and motorhome parks across Wales, bringing a welcome boost to the tourism economy. The reopening of the parks coincides with the second week of the Easter half-term school holiday in England.
 
“The caravan parks in Mid Wales have never looked better as they prepare to welcome back customers from England,” said Dylan Roberts, joint managing director of award-winning caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport on Severn.
 
“After a very quiet Easter Bank Holiday weekend in Mid Wales, park managers are really looking forward to welcoming back caravan owners and visitors from England for what promises to be a bumper holiday season for anyone connected to the tourism industry.
 
“Everybody is delighted to be getting back to some form of normality and it’s great news for the caravan industry, including parks, dealerships, manufacturers and consumers.”
 
Salop Leisure, which supplies caravans and luxury lodges to 250 holiday home parks across Mid Wales and the Heart of England, has reported high demand for caravans and motorhomes.
 
The company believes that, with more British people taking ‘staycation’ holidays this year, caravans and motorhomes are going to be in even greater demand, which is good news for businesses that rely on the tourism industry.
 
However, the company is advising those thinking of investing in a new or pre-owned caravan or motorhome not to delay, as stocks are likely to be in short supply due to the high demand. Available pitches on caravan holiday home parks are also being snapped up quickly.
 
Sales of touring caravans and motorhomes at Salop Leisure in March were 50% up on the same month last year. Although Salop Leisure’s sales centres have been closed to visitors due to the lockdown, customers have still been able to view caravans and motorhomes online, telephone to order and then arrange to collect their purchase.
 
“We saw huge demand for caravan holiday homes, luxury lodges, touring caravans and motorhomes last summer and this has continued into 2021, as people look forward to spending their holidays and short breaks in Mid Wales and the Heart of England,” said Mr Roberts.
 
“After months of staying at home, families are desperate for a change of scenery where they can escape and relax. Our industry is perfectly placed to cater for this demand.
 
“Uncertainty about restrictions on foreign travel and the prevalence of Covid-19 in other countries suggests to me that staycationing will be more popular than ever this year. People are apprehensive about leaving this country and facing quarantine restrictions when they return.”
 
Val Hawkins, chief executive of MWT Cymru, which represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd, said businesses were looking forward to welcoming back visitors from outside of Wales.
 
“Our businesses have been very busy making improvements in preparation to welcome back visitors safely in a Covid-secure environment,” she added.
 
“Visitors to Mid Wales will find lots of things to see, do and discover, including rural forest trails and coastal walks, cycling and mountain biking trails and spectacular spring gardens, and we are looking forward to the outdoor attractions and activities sector and outdoor hospitality reopening on April 26.”
 

The UK Government has set out the details of the traffic light system that has been developed by the Global Travel Taskforce.

• Green: Arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK but will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday
• Amber: Arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of ten days and take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early
• Red: Arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for “red list” countries which includes a 10 day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8
• There will also be a ‘green watchlist’ category of countries most at risk of moving from ‘green’ to ‘amber’ so that people can plan journeys accordingly

 
The Government will set out which countries are in each of these categories in early May, as well as confirming whether international travel can resume from 17 May 2021. The restrictions will be formally reviewed on 28 June 2021 to take account of the domestic and international health picture, and to see whether current measures could be rolled back. Further formal reviews will take place no later than 31 July and 1 October 2021.
 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/global-travel-taskforce-sets-out-framework-to-safely-reopen-international-travel

​As we look at a phased re-opening, you need to be aware of the Guidance for Tourism and Hospitality businesses. As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance to understand the measures to be considered to re-open the business safely.

The following additional measures are intended to provide further advice for self-contained accommodation businesses and must be considered in line with the UKHospitality Wales Guidance and the Guidance for Tourism and Hospitality. You will also find detailed and updated guidance on our home page specifically for self catering premises. Businesses should also consider, where appropriate:

1. Strengthening their policy on safe disposal of face coverings for staff and visitors
2. Introducing measures for staff and visitors, on arrival, such as taking temperature tests, asking people to sanitise their hands and asking questions around whether they are displaying any symptoms.
3. Considering the flow of guests/visitors and how to avoid any household mixing by keeping guests/visitors apart as they move around the premises throughout their visit/stay, with particular regard to enclosed public areas such as lifts, stairs and corridors
4. Instructing guests/visitors to move through enclosed public areas as quickly as possible, and to avoid shouting or singing in such areas
5. Within accommodation, ensuring that guests keep the doors to their rooms closed at all times, apart from when entering and leaving.
6. Staggering room service/laundry delivery etc to rooms, to avoid guests opening doors and coming out at the same time.
7.  Reviewing their incident and emergency procedures to ensure they reflect the physical distancing principles as far as possible, including considering how to minimise household-mixing when congregating in fire assembly areas.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions in relation to Coronavirus is also updated regularly on Gov.Wales. (Ref: Welsh Govt. Guidance / March 2021) 

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, is today setting out a series of measures that will take Wales fully into Alert Level 3 by 17th May, subject to public health conditions remaining favourable.

The First Minister again set out the priority placed on ensuring all children and students in Wales will return to face-to-face education on Monday 12 April.
All remaining non-essential retail and close contact services will be allowed to reopen from Monday 12 April, while the rules will also be changed to allow travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the United Kingdom and Common Travel Area. Changes remain subject to public health conditions continuing to remain favourable.

The Welsh Government is also signalling further changes it aims to confirm at the 22 April review, subject to public health conditions and final confirmation by Ministers, which would see outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality reopen, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants on Monday 26 April. By early May, plans include allowing organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people to take place, and for gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities to reopen for individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes.

The changes continue the Welsh Government’s planned, step-by-step approach to relaxing the coronavirus restrictions, taking account of the highly-infectious Kent variant, which is now the dominant form of the virus in Wales.

The public health situation in Wales continues to improve. The number of cases of coronavirus in our communities is generally falling and pressure on the NHS is easing. First Minister, Mark Drakeford said:

“Thanks to a real team effort across Wales, coronavirus cases remain stable, and the vaccination programme continues apace. As a result, the Welsh Government has the headroom to continue its careful, step-by-step approach to relaxing restrictions.
“The review we have concluded this week, means we can continue with our programme of further re-opening of the economy and loosening the restrictions in place.”

Should public health conditions remain favourable, from Monday 12th April, the following relaxations can go ahead:

• The full return of children to schools for face-to-face education, all post-16 learners will return to further education and training centres, and university campus’ will be able to open for blended face-to-face/online learning for all students;
• All remaining shops can reopen, completing the phased reopening of non-essential retail;
• All remaining close contact services can open, including mobile services;
• Travel restrictions on traveling into and out of Wales will be lifted. However, restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area without a reasonable excuse, remain in place. The Common Travel Area means the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland;
• Viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment;
• Outdoor canvassing for elections can begin.

As is also set out in our revised Coronavirus Control Plan, a small number of outdoor pilot events of between 200 and 1,000 people are being planned. These will build on the test events held last September. They will include cultural and sports events across Wales, including a potential stadia event. The Welsh Government is working with the Muslim Council to consider how they can also incorporate events to help people celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan. All events would be subject to Local Authority and public health agreement.

The further relaxations follow the successful return of primary pupils and many older secondary school and college students to face-to-face learning and the start of the phased re-opening of non-essential retail, including the opening of hairdressers and barbers.

Ministers are now signalling further easements to restrictions in the coming weeks subject to the public health situation remaining favourable. These are consistent with the cautious and phased approach set out in the updated Coronavirus Control Plan: Revised Alert Levels in Wales.
On Monday 26 April:   Outdoor attractions, including funfairs and theme parks, would be allowed to reopen;

• Outdoor hospitality can resume, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants. Indoor hospitality will remain restricted.

On Monday 3 May:

• Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can again take place;
• Weddings receptions can take place outdoors, but will also be limited to 30 people.

On Monday 10 May:

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen. This will include individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes;
• Extended household will again allow two households to meet and have contact indoors.

Preparations will be made to allow the following relaxations to be considered at the review on 13 May by the next Welsh Government, subject to public health conditions remaining favourable.
The reopening/resumption of the following, from the first week of the new cycle, i.e. Monday 17 May:

• Children’s indoor activities;
• Community centres;
• Organised indoor activities for adults, limited to a maximum of 15 people. This includes exercise classes.

After 17 May, to consider enabling indoor hospitality and remaining visitor accommodation to reopen in advance of the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May. These are indicative dates to give the sectors time to plan and prepare –decisions on these will be made nearer the time, once the impact of other relaxations have been assessed and subject to the health situation allowing the relaxations to go ahead.

The First Minister added:
“The sacrifices we have all made are having a positive effect in the battle against Coronavirus. This last year has been incredibly difficult for all of us and again I want to thank everyone for their efforts.

“These efforts have allowed us to gradually ease the restrictions, to gradually introduce more elements of normal life.

“With the weather improving, with more opportunities to see family and friends, there are reasons for optimism. However, we can’t let our guard down yet. We all still need to be vigilant, we still need to do our part to keep this deadly disease at bay.”

Tourism and hospitality businesses must take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to the virus and should not knowingly accept customers in breach of the travel restrictions.

Below is a link to the summary document for the large raft of tax papers and consultations that were published on the 23rd March 2021. A lengthy document which shows the breadth of proposed Tax reforms that are about to hit the UK.  The core papers are: 

​Modernising tax administration

• Making Tax Digital
• HMRC: investment in digital infrastructure
• Tax administration framework review
• Timely Payment
• Raising standards in the tax advice market
• Reducing inheritance tax reporting requirements

 
Tackling non-compliance

• Clamping down on promoters of tax avoidance
• Tackling disguised remuneration tax avoidance
• Off-payroll working rules
• No Safe Havens
• Tax Conditionality: licensing in Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Sanctions for illicit tobacco

 
Further tax policy announcements

• Fundamental review of business rates
• Aviation tax
• Strengthening the self-catering accommodation criteria for business rates
• Review of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS)
• Residential property developer tax
• Dormant Assets Scheme expansion
• Pensions tax technical updates
• Tax treatment of Superfunds
• Aggregates Levy
• Landfill Tax review
• Carbon Emissions Tax (CET)
• Notification by large businesses of an uncertain tax treatment
• VAT grouping
• Partial Exemption and Capital Goods Scheme
• New rules to prevent value shifting for VAT
• VAT and the public sector
• Simplification of the land and property VAT rules
• Capital allowances: technical amendment to allowance statement requirements for Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA)
• Transfer pricing documentation
• Securitisation tax rules
• Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR)

 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/972056/Tax_policies_and_consultations_2021_Web_accessible.pdf
​

The Welsh Government has published a Tourism recovery Plan for the tourism industry in Wales. Developed in consultation with the Tourism Taskforce (WTA Membership) , the plan includes a shared partnership framework of essential themes around which interventions will be built to support businesses through short to medium-term recovery.

There are eight essential themes, these include:
1.Supporting business.
2.Valuing people.
3.Reopening safely.
4.Rebuilding consumer confidence.
5.Stimulating and managing demand.
6.Developing local visitor economies.
7.Transforming the sector to be more resilient.
8.Developing tailored recovery plans.
 
Currently a framework plan, it is anticipated that it will be developed and added to over the coming months. More information:
 
https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-03/lets-shape-the-future_0.pdf
​

The Next Tourism Generation Competition 2021 has an extended deadline of midnight Friday 30 April 2021 to enable as many young people (16 to 25) as possible to take part to celebrate talent in the industry in Wales, promote careers, aid recovery and highlight the importance of digital and sustainability skills moving forwards. Full information is available on the website:
 
https://nexttourismgeneration.eu/event/ntgwales2021/ 
https://nexttourismgeneration.eu/event/ntg2021-cymraeg/
​