Mental Health & Tourism Levy’s were the discussion of the day at Discover Parks on the Herefordshire/Welsh border.
A holiday park near Presteigne welcomed James Evans MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, to discuss boosting tourism in the area. It comes as the Welsh Government are planning a visitor levy for Wales.
HW Chamber member Glenn Jones, who owns Rockbridge Country Park, debated the subject of sustainable tourism, and how the visitor levy may impact the site.
“The tourism industry is a key part of the economy across the area. We have to ensure places are available for visitors to come and enjoy our countryside. A lot of the tourism businesses bring in a lot of employment.” says Mr Evans.
We’d be shooting ourselves in the foot by taxing things that bring in income,” says Glenn: “If you get day visitors, they won’t pay. They’ll use the facilities and then leave. Whereas people on holiday will eat at local restaurants, support the area, and boost the economy on both sides of the border.
Meanwhile work is underway for 23 new holiday home lodges on site, the increase in visitors will be of benefit to neighbouring Herefordshire where Glenn runs 2 others at Shobdon and Eardisland. www.discoverparks.co.uk
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Mr Evans is keen to stress the importance of getting out into the countryside.”We need to encourage people to use our countryside, and make it more accessible so they can enjoy all that it has to offer.”