Russell George AM is supporting Wales Tourism Week celebrations which began with an event in Mid Wales.
On Friday 12th May, the Mid Wales Branch of the British Holiday and Home Park Association (BH&HPA) hosted a day of events to support Mid Wales tourism, supported by Russell George AM.
The local AM for Montgomeryshire attended the day’s events which saw students from Aberystwyth University join representatives from tourism organisations in Mid Wales in visiting the Osprey Centre, Morben Isaf Holiday Home and Touring Park and the Plas Dolguog Hotel to understand the importance of tourism and conservation to Mid Wales.
Rufus Bellamy, the BH&HPA’s specialist and advisor regarding conservation gave a talk on the interaction between tourism and conservation and other presentations were given by Val Hawkins, Chief Executive of Mid Wales Tourism and other guest speakers including Mr George.
Following the day’s events to mark Welsh Tourism Week, Russell George AM said:
“I was delighted to support the Mid Wales Branch of the British Holiday and Home Park Association’s Welsh Tourism week initiative.
“More tourists than ever before are visiting Mid Wales to see what our wonderful region has to offer with its world-renowned heritage sites, fantastic food and drink, 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 the Welsh Government must do more to foster the right conditions for growth in this crucial sector for the Mid Wales economy.
“Last year, I revealed that the Welsh Government doesn’t spend a single penny of its £8.3 million budget on specifically promoting Mid Wales as a tourist destination. This is scandalous and instead of Government taking the lead, the industry should be in the driving seat in promoting Mid Wales’ unique tourism offer.
“Tourism habits are changing – and Mid Wales is well-placed to benefit from this, but only with the right action plan which will allow the tourism industry in Mid Wales to flourish and reach its full potential.”