Local tourism bouncing back from Covid-19

Tourism businesses across the area are bouncing back strongly as visitors from across the English border return following the continued relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. 

Businesses are reporting strong bookings throughout the summer and shopkeepers and cafes in Welshpool have said trade has been brisk since the border fully reopened last week. 

Part of the boom is the result of bookings being rolled over from 2020, but there have also been a rush of new reservations to push up the occupancy rates.

Despite only opening last July, Plas Robin Rural Retreats at Llandyssil, Montgomery, has reported high demand for their luxury lodges, with bookings taken until September. 

Owners Carol and David Parry have welcomed guests from across England, Wales and Scotland who love escaping to the peace and tranquillity of the Mid Wales countryside. 

“We have invested around £500,000 in the lodges and have planning permission for a third, which would have been built by now were it not for Covid,” said Carol.

“We were only open for 11 weeks last year due to the lockdowns but were fully booked throughout and we are delighted that there had been a lot of repeat bookings.”

Similar staycation demand has been experienced on the fringes of Montgomeryshire with another luxury self-catering holiday business, Lon Lodges at Nantmel, near Rhayader, reporting only a few available slots until December.

It’s a similar story at the coast, where Islawrffordd Luxury Holiday Park at Talybont, near Barmouth is now expecting a bumper year.

The park, owned by the Evans family, has 201 holiday homes, 75 fully serviced, super pitches for touring caravans and motorhome and luxury facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Director Dylan Evans says he is expecting to see the touring park full throughout the holiday season. “It’s definitely busier with bookings this year and the calls keep coming,” he said.

All three businesses are members of MWT Cymru, which represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd.

PICTURE: Carol and David Parry outside one of their lodges at Plas Robin Rural Retreats in Llandyssil, near Montgomery.