Supporting the Economy

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 13 June 2023.

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Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative 2:02, 13 June 2023

First Minister, one way to support the economy in Pembrokeshire is to support our tourism sector. Now, a few weeks ago, you came to Pembrokeshire and said that the Welsh Government will,

'continue to work with communities, visitors, and businesses to achieve sustainable growth for tourism across Wales.'

Now, the businesses that I speak to, right across Preseli Pembrokeshire, are overwhelmingly against the Welsh Government's plans for a tourism tax and against changes to self-catering occupancy rates. In fact, you'll be aware of the recent comments by William McNamara of Bluestone National Park Resort, who said that,

'What we don't want to see is a turn-off to Wales because there is a tourism tax here'.

First Minister, how does the Welsh Government respond to genuine business concerns about its tourism policies like this, and what will the Welsh Government do to restore confidence to businesses in my constituency?