Eluned Morgan MS, Labour Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales has said she has every confidence that visitors will return to the county when it is safe to do so, but urged that this has to be with the consent of West Wales communities.

Commenting on the impact COVID-19 is having on the tourism sector, Eluned said: “Pembrokeshire has a fantastic visitor record. It is one of Wales’ most important holiday destinations and is responsible for thousands of jobs and supporting the wider economy.

“Over the last few weeks, I have been in regular contact with tourism leaders, the National Parks and our local Councils to discuss the issues affecting our economy as the Covid-19 restrictions continue.

“I’m listening to the views of the sector and residents alike and I’m feeding those comments into Welsh Government as we plan how to ease lockdown in Wales.

“Right now, the focus has to be on protecting public health. We can only loosen the lockdown restrictions when it is safe to do so and with the consent of our local communities. “The number of cases and deaths caused by the virus have been much lower here than in other parts of the UK. But, a premature easing of restrictions risks increasing the spread and such a short-sighted move would only increase the risk to our local residents and erode confidence for future visitors,” she continued.

Local MP Stephen Crabb assembled a cross section of 22 key tourism and hospitality businesses last Friday, along with local Senedd Member Paul Davies and representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council and the National Park, to discuss the outlook for businesses which depend on large numbers of visitors coming to the area.

The conference call was organised by the Preseli MP as a way for a range of the County’s tourism, hospitality and adventure businesses to meet together whilst adhering to the government guidance. It gave businesses the opportunity to speak directly to their MP and MS, raising their experiences, concerns and what they need from all levels of government to ensure their long-term security.

Following the meeting, Stephen Crabb said: “The tourism and hospitality sector is a key part of the Pembrokeshire economy and one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. “It was important to hear directly from them about the challenges they are facing. There is strong support from business for the lockdown measures at this time, but also a growing concern about the tone of the ‘Stay Away’ message on some social media. They want to see a big push to get visitors back when it is safe to do so.

“I am pleased that the Council and National Park are already thinking about a really strong and positive marketing campaign for Pembrokeshire. We will have a lot of ground to make up and I hope that circumstances will allow for at least some tourism activity later on in the season.”

“What all the businesses were asking for was clarity. They also wanted to ensure that the messaging and language used around tourist returning to Pembrokeshire was positive and that the wider community were aware of how beneficial tourism and hospitality is to Pembrokeshire’s economy. I have already had positive feedback from those taking part and I look forward to hosting another forum in the near future as the situation changes and new challenges and opportunities arise,” he stated.

Eluned Morgan MS, reaffirmed that she was confident that visitors would return to Pembrokeshire when the time is safe to do so.

“Despite the fact that Stephen Crabb and Paul Davies are stating the obvious, I have every confidence that visitors will return to Pembrokeshire when it is safe to do.” she said.

“The Welsh Government will work with the tourism sector across Wales to build on our already successful Visit Wales brand and do all we can to support the tourism economy – when the time is right.”