New tourism strategies in Gwynedd will shift from attracting high volume of visitors to ensuring that local communities benefit to the greatest possible extent, council leaders have said.
A report has been released warning of an “over dependence” on low paid jobs within tourism when compared to other sectors. The Council raised concerns that Gwynedd cannot cope with “unsustainable” visitor numbers.
However, the value of tourism in 2020 showed a steep decline of between 50 per cent and 60 per cent in Gwynedd due to the pandemic.
Charlie Evans, Welsh Conservative candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd at the Senedd Election in May said:
"The surge in visitor numbers last summer was due to a very small tourism window and international travel was actively discouraged. Gwynedd Council is not comparing like-for-like.
"It is completely disheartening that the Plaid Cymru-run Gwynedd Council think there are too many visitors and are actively lobbying Welsh Government for a tourism tax. The sector employs 18,200 people in the county as it is worth £1.35bn to the economy. In the middle of a deep recession and a global pandemic, the Council should be lobbying for lower taxes for small businesses not increasing them.
"Gwynedd Council apologising for this would be like Port Talbot apologising for making too much steel.
"I do however welcome the Council in realising that the economy is not broad enough and acknowledges there is a serious opportunity deficit. But their approach is all wrong.
"We need to diversify Gwynedd's economy by expanding opportunity for all. We need to create new industries and new sectors. We need to retain our young people with well-paid jobs and affordable housing. We need to attract new people to bring their skills and talents to the area. But you do that not by dragging a very successful sector down but by raising others ones up."
Yn Gymraeg:
"Roedd yr ymchwydd yn nifer yr ymwelwyr yr haf diwethaf oherwydd ffenestr dwristiaeth fach iawn ac roedd teithio rhyngwladol yn cael ei annog yn weithredol. Nid yw Cyngor Gwynedd yn cymharu like for like.
"Mae'n hollol ddigalonni bod Cyngor Gwynedd, sy'n cael ei redeg gan Plaid Cymru, o'r farn bod gormod o ymwelwyr ac wrthi'n lobïo Llywodraeth Cymru am dreth dwristiaeth. Mae'r sector yn cyflogi 18,200 o bobl yn y sir gan ei fod yn werth £ 1.35bn i'r economi. Yng nghanol dirwasgiad dwfn a phandemig byd-eang, dylai'r Cyngor fod yn lobïo am drethi is i fusnesau bach nad ydynt yn eu cynyddu.
"Byddai Cyngor Gwynedd yn ymddiheuro am hyn fel Port Talbot yn ymddiheuro am wneud gormod o ddur.
"Fodd bynnag, rwy'n croesawu'r Cyngor i sylweddoli nad yw'r economi yn ddigon eang ac yn cydnabod bod diffyg cyfle difrifol. Ond mae eu dull yn anghywir.
Mae angen i ni arallgyfeirio economi Gwynedd gan ehangu cyfle i bawb. Mae angen i ni greu diwydiannau newydd a sectorau newydd. Mae angen i ni gadw ein pobl ifanc gyda swyddi sy'n talu'n dda a thai fforddiadwy. Mae angen i ni ddenu pobl newydd i ddod â'u sgiliau a'u doniau i'r ardal. Ond rydych chi'n gwneud hynny nid trwy lusgo sector llwyddiannus iawn i lawr ond trwy godi rhai eraill i fyny."
