Almost half of tourism operators had fewer visitors last year compared to the pre-Covid 2019 season and the majority are feeling pessimistic about the 2023 summer. According to a survey carried out by the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions, the recent half-term break in February was also disappointing with 29% of operators saying they had fewer visitors compared to the same time last year.
While there’s no ignoring the fact that we’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis, a leading industry figure has blamed the low numbers on “loony” measures introduced by the Welsh Government.
Ashford Price, chairman of Dan yr Ogof and the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, said: “The results from over 100 of the leading attractions in Wales should ring alarm bells within the Welsh Government as it shows less visitors are coming into parts of Wales. Welsh tourism is still trying to recover from the pandemic, and many operators are paying back loans related to Covid.”
