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Tourism and hospitality industry ‘won’t forget’ treatment by Welsh Government, industry boss says

23 Apr 2021 2 minute read
Jim Jones, MD of North Wales Tourism Ltd in Llandudno. Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford. Picture by the Welsh Government.

The tourism and hospitality industry in Wales “won’t forget” how it has been treated by the Welsh Government, one of the industry’s leaders has said.

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said that not aligning with England had caused “confusion and anxiety” for the industry in Wales.

He welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement today that indoor hospitality would open on May 17 but said it would take a long time for them to forget the reluctance to provide them with a roadmap to recovery.

“Whilst this is a welcome step on the road to recovery, let’s not shy away from calling out reluctance by the Welsh Government to provide the business sector with a roadmap and alignment with England where 80 percent of our business comes from,” he said.

“This is something the tourism and hospitality sector will not forget in a hurry.

“A great degree of anxiety and confusion for many of our tourism and hospitality businesses has been caused unnecessarily right the way through this whole pandemic.

“This and continued financial support has been always been our number one ask.”

‘Respect’

He added however that the announcement today would be a “great relief to so many” and would allow them to plan for the future.

“The opening of indoor hospitality and indoor attractions gives our businesses some certainty to plan their restart, recruit extra members of staff, order stock to cope with a pent up demand for indoor dining, reopening of our restaurants and cafes which we anticipate is going to be huge,” he said.

“We’ve all been through so much during the last 12 months and we will welcome back visitors to North Wales with open arms.

“We want them to enjoy the delights and experiences of North Wales, but please at the same time recognise and respect what our communities have been through also.”


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Gorau i Gymru.
Gorau i Gymru.
3 years ago

We the people of Cymru won’t forget your total disregard for our safety either Jim bach!

Ieuan Evans
Ieuan Evans
3 years ago

I think your comments are appalling Mr Jones. Your apparent support for putting Welsh people at risk is beyond belief. Perhaps its worthy of an apology.

Huw JONES
Huw JONES
3 years ago

Would Jim Jones be a Tory voter by any chance? What a selfish muppet!

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
3 years ago

This is simply a case of public health priorities taking precedent over the needs of a significant but relatively small set of businesses. After what happened in the tourism areas of the north of Wales this time last year in terms of the risk to public health, there was only one option for the Welsh Government. Jim Jones’ attitude, and that of the people he represents, seems willfully selfish.

Rapsgaliwn
Rapsgaliwn
3 years ago

Mr Jones, you have rattled on about tourism since the Pandemic restrictions were brought in, at no time have you considered the health of local residents until today, when you tack that caveat onto the end of your comment, as if you were being forced to consider it. Yes, it is appreciated that the restrictions have limited incomes, though there have been varying grants available. Nobody wishes to see a business fail It was reported, that last summer more than compensated for earlier losses of that season. So much so, that during the normal summer vacation period, Gwynedd Council advised… Read more »

Johnny Gamble
Johnny Gamble
3 years ago

What is tourism worth to our GDP. Very little in fact.

Ian
Ian
3 years ago

Tories have been flip flopping on public health since the start of the pandemic. Common sense put people first and economy will rebound quicker look at New Zealand. This guy is pushing the daily mail reader view just before the election, wonder what his links are

Dewi
Dewi
3 years ago

I love how angry everyone’s getting, trying to play vague ideas of “the nation” ignoring the fact that whilst this is one man, he represents the industry that employs massive numbers of people. An industry that, by merit of most of its employers being smaller businesses, don’t have the luxury of corporate bailouts and cushy furloughs. He’s completely right to say that the Welsh Government has dropped the ball on this one, if not for the restrictions, which I can argue we’re necessary, then for the lack of clarity about a roadmap . Lack of clarity has been the resounding… Read more »

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
3 years ago
Reply to  Dewi

A pair of flipflops and a couple of ice creams, and seasonal jobs for locals on minimum wage, does not represent an “industry”. What’s in it for Wales?

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