Calls have been made for Visit Wales to take a major step to help accommodation businesses in Wales. Janet Finch-Saunders MS has asked the Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, Welsh Government, to enable Visit Wales to create and online accommodation search and booking platform. Commenting on her proposal, Mrs Finch-Saunders said:
“The economic benefit of tourism to Conwy County is around £900million, generated from 9.5 million visitors annually. Clearly, the figures for the 2020-21 financial year are set to be extremely different so I have been working on a number of proposals to see the Welsh Government do more to back hospitality.
“Once accommodation is allowed to re-open many will reserve and pay for their hotel room through online booking platforms.
“This can see our local businesses losing a good percentage of the fee to commission.
“During the pandemic it is fair to note that it has been Business Wales not Visit Wales who have been trying to help our tourism businesses. This can change, and Visit Wales play a bigger role in revitalising the sector by enabling its global audience to book accommodation on the website.
“You can search for available accommodation on Visit Scotland and Discover Northern Ireland, so why not Visit Wales?
“Given that Visit Wales is funded by taxpayers, an accommodation search and booking facility should be developed and provided commission free to our hospitality sector”.
ENDS
Written Question:
- Will the Minister consider enabling Visit Wales to create an online booking platform for accommodation in Wales so that the tourism sector loses a smaller or no percentage of their nightly rate?
Notes:
