A Mid Wales Assembly Member has urged the First Minister to do more to promote Mid Wales as a specific tourist destination.
This week, Russell George, the AM for Montgomeryshire, questioned the First Minister on the fact that not a single penny of the £8.3 million spent by Visit Wales, is spent on promoting Mid Wales as a specific destination to visit.
Following the First Minister’s weekly session of questions in the Senedd, Mr George said:
“This week, I had the opportunity to question the First Minister on why the Welsh Government doesn’t spend a single penny of its £8.3 million budget on specifically promoting Mid Wales as a tourist destination.
“Mid Wales has a huge amount to offer, from the coastal path, beautiful market towns and fantastic mountain ranges. It has a countryside other holiday regions in Britain would die for and I want to see the Welsh Government shout about these assets from the roof tops.
“Tourism is a critical driver in economic development and job creation and it is clear that the Welsh Government is failing to foster the right conditions for growth in this crucial sector for the Mid Wales economy.
“I would like to see the industry in the driving seat in promoting Mid Wales’ unique tourism offer. It is therefore high time that the Welsh Government considers removing Visit Wales from Government control, introducing an industry-led approach to the visitor economy so that our tourism industry can deliver on its great potential.”