Thousands of “desperate” tourism and hospitality businesses in Welsh holiday hotspots are frantically trying to stay afloat amid fears they will go under.
Tourism businesses in North Wales are in a particularly tight spot as owners grapple with a cost and mental health crisis, NorthWalesLive reports.
In order to save their businesses, owners are cutting opening hours and people’s jobs are at risk. One Anglesey business owner believes the sector feels it has been cut adrift and left to wither.
Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, a unique aquarium with over 40 tanks displaying the best of British marine wildlife, announced on January 30 it would be closing three days a week for the time being.
Frankie Hobro, director and owner of the Anglesey Sea Zoo blamed “spiralling costs and extremely low visitor numbers”.
She said: “All sectors are affected but tourism and hospitality have been hit particularly harder. As January has been so quiet, closing for three days a week was a strategic decision that will allow us to get on with jobs that need doing, such as maintenance and painting. Hopefully this will leave us in a better position if and when visitors start returning.”
Ms Hobro claimed “people are absolutely desperate” and they are “relieved” to find out they are not struggling on their own. She continued: “It’s not just tourism – pubs are cutting back opening hours as well. As the zoo we have 15-20 contractors and they’re also feeling the pinch. In summer we usually double our staffing but this year I’m not sure we can afford to do this. We’re going to see big rises in unemployment.
“I know of hardly anyone who’s feeling confident about the future. Some have seen what’s coming up and have got out already. It’s a tough time for everyone. So many businesses are close to the edge, both financially and from a mental health point of view.”
Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism, said: “No one can see any light at the end of the tunnel and there’s no strategic plan to get us out of it.”
Nicky Williamson, Wales policy lead for PASC UK (Professional Association of Self Caterers) has “distressed people” calling every day and “the figure could be £3,000 or £20,000”.
Industry representatives are pointing the finger at an onslaught of “anti-tourism” policies combined with skyrocketing increases in costs and taxation.
Recently, locals have voiced their anger at the controversial Welsh tourist tax, which they believe could “deter visitors” and “shrink the economy”.
Proposals have been in the works since 2022, and they are now likely to come to fruition as early as 2027.
The bill has faced fierce opposition, with tourism bosses fearing it will put visitors off, while most businesses that responded to a Welsh government consultation opposed a tax.
Critics have criticised the looming tourist tax. UKHospitality Cymrum has argued that children should be exempt from the levy.
“We need to see them exempt children from the levy, to ensure families, many of whom may already be on tight budgets, can enjoy holidays in Wales, rather than elsewhere”, UKHospitality Cymru’s executive director, David Chapman.