The Welsh Government Tourism Task force (TIER Group) has been meeting weekly throughout the crisis and we would like to assure members that your concerns are being heard at the highest levels of the Welsh Government.
We are expecting an announcement from the First Minister at the 3-week review which will be held this Friday and expect this to provide the timescales and the guidance that our tourism businesses are waiting for.
MWT is in daily contact with Welsh Government officials to ensure the best outcome for our sector is achieved in these most difficult of circumstances. This afternoon, MWT is taking part in a Business Webinar with UK Government and Welsh Government - one of many ways we continue to directly represent your interests.
Steve Hughson, Mid Wales Regional Tourism Partnership Chairman and Andrew Campbell, Wales Tourism Alliance Chairman are both members of the Tourism Task Force and we received the following update from Steve that we would like to share in full with members following last week's meeting:
Annwyl aelod, Dear member,
Today’s Tourism task force meeting was very focussed on making more progress towards an announcement by the First Minister that will allow some relaxation of the rules in the next three week review. This builds upon the excellent partnership that exists between the Deputy Minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Jason Thomas, Rob Holt and the whole Visit Wales Team. There are also good and productive relationships between the four regional chairs and other influential and respected members of the group. Can I stress that this forum is working and making a difference despite some recent and potentially counterproductive voices, outside of our forum.
There is a clear recognition that feelings are running high at the moment and this is largely out of desperation and frustration that progress now needs to be made. That message is understood by officials and others. We have presented calls from businesses to open as soon as possible, but this must be done in a safe and sustainable way that does not result in a second wave. Therefore following medical and scientific advice is key. Decisions must also take account of community tensions, which are more evident in some places than others and we are working with the WLGA and Local Authorities to provide reassurance. So there are many drivers that influence the decision, but I hope that we will see movement very soon.
A lot of work has already been done around providing guidance. That work continues. The next steps appear to be around providing a safe way to open premises/ businesses ‘without shared facilities’ but there is still debate around what that actually means. So that is where we need to step into the space and provide what we feel is a list of activities that would safely fall within that definition.
I am therefore asking that you send Helen details of what you feel falls within this definition and can be managed safely. I will use this list to support Visit Wales in providing some clarity around the definition of shared facilities.
To finish, I feel we are close to some significant movement and ask that you continue to work within the forum structure, which I am convinced is the best means of getting the best decisions from Welsh Government. I would not waste my time being part of a talking shop that did not deliver.
I look forward to receiving your thoughts on ‘shared facilities’ and other points that are raised each week on your behalf.
Many thanks for your continued support and to quote the Deputy Minister in today’s meeting… ”Keep the faith”
Steve HUGHSON
Prif Weithredwr/ Chief Executive
