Merry Christmas and Every Good Wish for 2020!

May I firstly extend every good wish for a very happy and enjoyable festive period.
 
2019 has been an interesting and fast paced year. Political uncertainty has dominated, but as the year draws to a close, a clearer direction  emerges. Technological developments have continued apace with conversations about the use of Big Data dominating. Aspirations set out within the UK Sector Deal to create a Tourism data Hub are therefore to be welcomed. Climate Change concern has rightly intensified and has challenged the way we live and work. In summary, as we enter 2020, tourism businesses have much to think about, reinforcing the view that the launch of the new WG Tourism Strategy at the end of January 2020 is well timed.
 
The WTA has continued to consult, collaborate and communicate with interested parties to further the cause and to protect the interests of the sector. Progress to date:

•  We have continued to advocate our case with Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Minister with Tourism portfolio on many occasions, to register our stance on devolved tourism issues. In addition we have contacted and met with UK Government Ministers setting out our position here in Wales.
• We have responded to consultations on various issues and have also attended WG Inquiries on Rethinking Food in Wales and on Banking Services within Wales.
• We have met with Tourism Alliances from Scotland, Northern Ireland and England to establish common ground and to forge a more united front.
• Wales Tourism Week was an unqualified success with well attended receptions held at the Senedd and in Westminster during May.
• We have represented your interests in face to face meetings with Welsh Government, raising concerns about the Non-Domestic Business Rates, consumer protection and tourism tax.
• Attendance has also been made at events organised by VisitBritain, many sector related seminars and tourism interest meetings. 
  
• Presentations have been given at conferences throughout the year and numerous responses have been given to the media. Whilst this is a brief resume, we will continue to keep you informed on a daily basis via our tweets and on our website newsfeed (www.wta.org.uk/news).

 
We were delighted that Jim Jones has accepted the position of Vice-Chair and may I take this opportunity to record my thanks to our Policy Advocate Adrian Greason-Walker for his support and unstinting dedication, which is of such value to members – and to Eirlys and Ffion in North Wales Tourism for providing such effective and efficient administrative expertise.
  
Finally, a date for your diary, next year’s Wales Tourism Week Reception will be held from 12:30 in the Senedd on the 7th May 2020. We look forward to seeing you there.
 
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
 
Andrew
 
Andrew Campbell – Chair WTA