Tourism vital to Mid Wales

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has spoken about the importance of tourism to the Mid Wales economy and said he believes the industry has not received the level of support it deserves.

He was speaking following a meeting with the board of MWT, a not for profit, independent organisation that represents 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Powys, Ceredigion, Meirionnydd and South Wales.

A wide range of issues relating to the tourism industry in Mid Wales were discussed at the  meeting hosted by MWT chairman Anne Lloyd-Jones.

Mr Davies, who is deputy chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Wales, said it was important that Welsh MPs and Assembly Members worked together to ensure that tourism received the support it deserves.

He was keen to hear about issues which he could raise with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne during a forthcoming meeting.

He welcomed the imminent start of work on Newtown bypass, which he believed would benefit the whole of Mid Wales by improving access to the region.

He also welcomed the introduction of peak hourly train services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury which had increased the number of passengers on the Cambrian Line, including people visiting caravans along the Cambrian Coast.

“We must ensure that the new peak hourly trains are well supported and I am encouraged by a growing trend to make more of the rail service,” he added.

Mrs Lloyd-Jones said: “We are delighted that Glyn shows such a keen interest in the Mid Wales tourism industry and is always very supportive of the work of MWT. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to raise with him a series of issues including the campaign to exempt the tourism industry from VAT, which makes us uncompetitive with other European countries.

“We also discussed funding support for tourism in Mid Wales. We believe that organisations, such as MWT, are best placed to support tourism businesses across the regions of Wales and we encourage public sector bodies to work closely with us.”

Val Hawkins, MWT’s chief executive, told Mr Davies about a new ‘Moving Adventures’ project, which MWT is leading. Stakeholders with an interest in travel and tourism in Mid Wales are working together to develop an online resource that promotes sustainable transport options and car free adventures in the region.

The project, which is funded by Welsh Government’s Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, aims to: “Change attitudes in order to produce a step-change in how visitors travel to and around Mid Wales.”

PICTURE: Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies (third from right) with MWT vice chairman Rowland Rees Evans, board member Ian Rutherford, chairman Anne Lloyd-Jones, board member Neil Bale, chief executive Val Hawkins and John Lloyd-Jones.