Fear of over-tourism as visitors flood in

The Staycation message has certainly provided a visitor tsunami to the Welshpool area this summer, but there are calls for tighter regulation to prevent ‘over-tourism’.

The Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) is calling for the introduction of a register of Pop-Up Campsites to help councils manage unlicensed camp site accommodation across the country.

Although 56-day pop-up campsites are permitted under the Welsh Government’s relaxation of the General Permitted Development Order, the growth of new sites in some destinations has been pronounced, placing additional pressures on natural and built resources.

Andrew Campbell, chair of the WTA, which represents all sectors of tourism industry in Wales, said: “Our call for a national register has been made to help manage the unprecedented demand of visitors to many parts of Wales. At the moment, we have little idea of the number of new sites that have emerged or the number of visitors that are staying in destinations.

“Such information would help plan and manage resources more effectively. Put simply, what you cannot measure, you cannot manage. Sustainable development is crucial for the success of this industry and key to that is the protection of communities, culture and landscape.”

Unlike licensed sites, which require formal planning permission and adherence to statutory requirements, developments under the 28/56 Day Rule are not restricted to limits on visitor numbers.

In some parts of Wales, the huge increase in visitors has resulted in a strain on natural resources with one reservoir in St David’s requiring water tankers to top up levels.

On the issue of disparity between licensed and unlicensed sites, British Holiday and Home Parks Association director general, Ros Pritchard commented: “Whilst licensed businesses have to adhere to the conditions of licence and maintain quality standards, we have now come into direct competition with sites with no licence and little if any regulation. A level playing field is essential.”

The WTA believes that a register would also serve to help authorities monitor usage and any breaches to the 28/56 day time allowance.

PICTURE: Andrew Campbell, Wales Tourism Alliance chair.