Gwynedd Hospitality, a body made up of restaurant, pub, café, bar and holiday let owners in Gwynedd with some members from Anglesey and Conwy also, held their first meeting virtually on Tuesday 2nd February. Over 30 people had joined on Zoom and Facebook, with more than 150 people watching it afterwards. They have launched their five-point action plan outlining a series of requests that would help the sector manage the beginning of 2021.
The five-points are:
1. Hospitality should be allowed to trade Easter if hospitalisations and deaths due to coronavirus are low.
2. Restrictions to be mirrored across the United Kingdom due to cross-border travel- the industry is reliant on visitors and border measures are damaging to the sector.
3. Welsh Government to set out a pathway out of lockdown to help businesses plan.
4. UK Government to continue supporting businesses while we work through the pandemic.
5. Welsh Government to provide dedicated support for new businesses to support recovery after the pandemic.
Charlie Evans, Founder of Gwynedd Hospitality and Welsh Conservative candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said:
“It was great to meet as a group, the first time since Gwynedd Hospitality was founded before Christmas. The hospitality sector really has suffered enormously, and with it being Gwynedd’s biggest employing sector, the county has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
“Of course it is not just those businesses that are directly impacted. Electricians, plumbers, engineers, plasterers are all examples of tradespeople that need a strong sector as well. The whole of Gwynedd’s economy is intricately connected to the hospitality and tourism industry.
“We have set out our action plan which we feel will help the sector bounce-back from the pandemic enormously. But to ensure we have a successful industry going forward, it requires the collective focus of the private sector, local authority and Welsh and UK governments.”
Gwynedd Council later in the week discussed a shift in emphasis on tourism in Gwynedd, looking to move away from attracting high volume of visitors to ensuring that local communities benefit to the greatest possible extent and to improve diversity.
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.
Iain Paterson, owner of Lounge Holidays responded: "The idea that the tourism industry is dependent on low paid jobs is nonsense. I employ four people full-time and pay between £9.50 and £11 an hour. I use 30 tradespeople who earn between £15 and an £18 an hour. Electricians I hire are paid between £30 and £35 an hour. I pay £10,000 a week in wages, cleaning and maintenance. The Council are wrong."
Adam Dobson, owner of Aberdunant Holiday Park and Hotel said: “Perhaps, we all must remember that people love and visit Wales for its beautiful scenery and culture. Yet, the infrastructure and facilities have been provided by the private sector's investments creating economic success. Tourism brings in money that remains in the local economy instead of online, which mainly sees money flow away from Wales.
“Reducing the visitor numbers will not give more diversity, as this will only come from entrepreneurial opportunities. Lowering the visitor economy will force more young business minds to seek employment elsewhere. The increased spike in visitor numbers is probably temporary as the domestic market has fewer places to go, but once this pandemic ends, they will choose and visit where they feel welcome.”
Richard Bond, owner of Finest Retreats said: “We have spoken to several holidaymakers seeking a staycation in 2021 but who specifically say they are not interested in Wales as a destination because of the ‘stay away’ and ‘not welcome here’ messages they’ve picked up on. This is worrying for those hospitality businesses in the area who rely on this trade and so the messaging from the top must change if we are to see these livelihoods supported.”
Sue Kelly, owner of Peninsula Property Management and Twankey’s Laundry remarked: “Do they realise how damaging all is going to be for so many people, businesses and communities in Wales?"
Howard Browes and Jason Clixby of The Beach Hut, Holyhead said: “The Welsh Government appear to have a complete lack of understanding of the challenging financial environment that the hospitality and tourism industry face. Questions must be asked as to whether they are playing a ‘political game’ as to opposed to understanding, recognising and acting on what the hospitality and tourism sector needs to survive. Failure to sufficiently understand the needs of the sector will be catastrophic, and significantly ‘scar’ and damage the Welsh hospitality and tourism industry for years to come. Does the Welsh Government want this? Their current approach would suggest ‘yes’. Why? Who knows, further they seem to be little interested in entering into any reasoned dialogue that will help them see the long-term economic and society benefits for Wales.”
Mr Evans continued: “We need to diversify Gwynedd's economy and be committed to 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 our very successful hospitality and tourism sector down but by raising others ones up.”
