A Mid Wales Assembly Member has welcomed a commitment to an innovative new fund to help small and medium-sized tourism businesses in Powys expand and grow.
The dedicated fund, to be trialled over the first two years of a Welsh Conservative Government, has been applauded by the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George AM.
Mr George said:
“More tourists than ever before are visiting Powys to see what our wonderful county has to offer with its world-renowned heritage sites, fantastic food and drink, and warm welcome for visitors.
“The tourism industry is of huge importance to the Mid Wales economy and Welsh Conservative proposals to offer vital support to tourism businesses and attractions across Wales will help sustain high-quality jobs in this growing industry.”
Under Welsh Conservative proposals, businesses could apply for grant funding in return for ‘up-skilling’ an existing employee to help boost the status of tourism as a career path. The scheme would also be available to firms recruiting new employees on a permanent basis – fuelling efforts to promote tourist attractions and destinations across Wales. The scheme would initially run as a Wales-wide pilot for two years.
The commitment would form a part of a Welsh Conservative Government’s wider tourism strategy; and marks a £1.5 million pledge, with funding diverted from Welsh Government spend on destination management plans.
Mr George added:
“This innovative scheme would help small tourism businesses in Wales to expand and grow; with grants available to firms taking on an additional employee.
“Many small firms in the industry complain that VAT bills are a barrier to development, and these grants would help them to meet their VAT bills as well as encouraging the creation of new jobs for the Welsh economy.
“We would also extend business rate relief for small businesses, removing at a stroke a key obstacle to job creation and prosperity.
“These measures will allow the tourism industry in Mid Wales to flourish and reach its full potential.”