Two years ago tourism businesses throughout North Wales were living their worst nightmare. The country was in the midst of a pandemic and people were forbidden from entering Wales.

Our usually vibrant seaside resorts were like ghost towns and those in the industry wondered when they would ever see them bustling again.

Two years on and the scene is so very different. The masks are gone and people are venturing out with more confidence.

The once empty tables in our cafes and bars are now filled by locals, day trippers and holiday makers enjoying the freedom that was snatched so quickly from them 24 months ago.

Tourism businesses are relishing these happier times.

For most, the past two years were the most challenging they have ever faced. Some were taken to the brink of collapse and some sadly failed to make it through such harsh times.

It has therefore given me immense pleasure to see businesses across North Wales bouncing back.

As Wales competes with the rest of the UK for domestic trips, a report by Visit Wales highlighted the cost of living crisis as continuing to play an important role in trip choice. ‘Great value for money’ is the number one destination influence for domestic holidays/short breaks in the next 12 months as the cost of living crisis hits Welsh holidaymaker’s pockets.

Two-thirds (67%) of the domestic holiday market believe they have been negatively impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The report pointed out that one of the key draws to Wales is cheaper accommodation.

According to the survey, around 3-in-5 of the UK holiday market have taken a short break or holiday in Wales previously and intend to do so again.

Given this, it is therefore deeply concerning that the Labour Government is pushing ahead with plans to introduce a tourism levy which will increase the cost for those visiting Wales, and inevitably lead to them going elsewhere.

After the extremely difficult couple of years businesses have faced due to the pandemic, the Welsh Government should be doing everything in its power to help them fully recover, not introducing a levy which will deter price sensitive visitors.

A tourism tax could decimate communities and make regeneration efforts in Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Llandudno even more difficult.

It could also have a crippling effect on caravan parks, hotels and other businesses which rely on visitors to make ends meet.

Added to this, the Welsh Government is also proposing a new 182-day holiday let threshold which will also decimate the tourism industry, particularly hitting those who own small holiday properties such as a cottage or annexe - the very businesses that were on their knees as a result of covid.  

The Welsh Government should be focusing their energy on delivering a strong economic recovery after the pandemic, rather than penalising businesses at this critical time.

Our tourism industry needs our support more than ever before, without it thousands of jobs are at risk.

If North Wales is to continue being a popular visitor destination, these ludicrous policies need to be scrapped.