The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS - has today (10 February) undertaken the first digital roundtable in her ongoing series, which looks to compile a positive forward plan for the tourism and hospitality industries.  

Today’s virtual forum, which examined the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on local hotels, featured special addresses from Berin Jones (Chairman of Llandudno Hospitality Association) and Jim Jones (Director of Go North Wales Tourism.) Among the topics discussed was the need for greater detail on a reopening plan and the barriers faced in accessing Welsh Government financial support schemes.  

As part of this wide-ranging series, Janet will undertake forums with representatives from Aberconwy-based tourism parks, B&Bs and guesthouses, restaurants and cafes, pubs and bars, small businesses and retailers. During the next forum, representatives of the self-catering accommodation sector are scheduled to hear exclusive addresses from Barbara Griffiths (North Wales Holiday Cottages) and Berin Jones.  

Commenting following the conclusion of the session, Janet remarked:  

“The need for this forum was evidently clear – approximately 31% of jobs remain in peril across the Conwy County Borough and our area has the highest percentage of employees who rely on this at-risk sector for their income in North Wales.  

“With this in mind, this first session, in a wide-ranging series of virtual events that covers the gamut of the tourism and hospitality industries, was a vital and positive first step towards Aberconwy's economic recovery. It is clear that the local aspiration for success still runs strong – policy must now look to replicate this. 

“Of course, there are numerous steps that the Welsh Government can take to help back tourism in the here and now. This afternoon, I will ask the Finance Minister to work with her colleagues and local authorities to see costs such as parking permits, wedding and drink licences waved. 

“Attendees to today’s forum also made clear that decision makers in Cardiff Bay should look to give immediate certainty to the sector by ending the fallacy that the tier system is a recovery plan. Instead, the sector needs a route map that respects our dependency on visitors from across the United Kingdom. 

“More certainty is required, with local businesses needing to know now if they can open by Easter so as to start planning staff recruitment, organise supplies, and accept bookings. There is no crystal ball, but collaborative working with the industry will ensure that they are not left out in the cold. 

“Today’s productive meeting has resulted in tangible actions which I will now look to implement. In acknowledging this success, I am now looking forward to the forthcoming sessions, which will all include an exclusive address from those in the know. I thoroughly encourage local business owners to attend their specific event.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editors:  

• Future Aberconwy forum sessions are scheduled as follows:  
  1. 1. Hoteliers Forum: 9:30 – 11:00 am 10/02/2021  
     2. Self-Catering Forum: 9:30 – 11:00 am 17/02/2021 
     3. Tourism Park Forum: 10:30 am -12:00 pm 20/02/2021
     4. Pubs, Bars and Restaurants’ Forum: 9:30 – 11:00 am 24/02/2021 
     5. Guest Houses & B&Bs Forum: 9:30 – 11:00 am 03/03/2021 
     6. Small Business and Retail Forum: TBC 

• Janet is scheduled to question the Welsh Government’s Finance Minister during this afternoon’s virtual Plenary session. You can watch this live by heading to www.senedd.tv  

Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS