Wales as a global tourist destination

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 8 Feb 2022 Closed: 7 Mar 2024 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry which seeks to explore the current position of the tourism sector in Wales and the steps the UK Government can take to help promote Wales to the world.
14 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
2 Nov
2023
Report published
12 Jul
2023
Report published
1 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
1 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
20 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
20 Jul
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
15 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
15 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
25 May
2022
Oral evidence
25 May
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
20 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
20 Apr
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
1 Feb 2023
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Duncan Parish · Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Heledd Owen · Welsh Government Jason Thomas · Welsh Government Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Vaughan Gething MS · Welsh Government
20 Jul 2022
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Anthony Pickles · VisitBritain Professor Annette Pritchard · Leeds Beckett University Professor Dorothy A. Yen · Brunel University London
15 Jun 2022
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Ian Roberts · Portmeirion Cymru Paul Lewin · Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Sean Taylor · Zip World Stephen Davies · Penderyn Distillery
25 May 2022
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Oral evidence
Camilla King · Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Fiona Stewart · Green Man Festival Graeme Farrow · Wales Millennium Centre Louise Miles-Payne · UK Theatre Matthew Williams · Welsh Sports Association
20 Apr 2022
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Oral evidence
David Anderson · National Museum Wales David Chapman · UK Hospitality Gwyneth Sweatman · Federation of Small Businesses Wales Ian Edwards MI FIH · The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales Rebecca Williams · The Crown Estate Suzy Davies · Wales Tourism Alliance
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - Wales as a global tourist destination HC 220 12 Jul 2023 18 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
13 Recommendation Deferred
Fourth Report - Wales as a global …
Require Welsh Government to consider establishing an independent tourism agency for Wales
While we are impressed by much of the work of Visit Wales, we question whether the Welsh Government might be better served if the body had greater independence. We call on the Welsh Government to consider whether an independent tourism … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government deferred to Visit Wales (Welsh Government), but expressed support for Visit Wales’ work and mentioned their support for Welsh heritage through UNESCO and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Wales Office
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15 Recommendation Deferred
Fourth Report - Wales as a global …
Poor transport infrastructure significantly hinders Wales' ability to attract international tourists
We are concerned that poor transport infrastructure has a negative impact on Wales’ ability to attract a greater share of international tourists who arrive in the UK. Transport infrastructure has been underfunded by the UK and Welsh Governments for a … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of transport and is considering Lord Hendy's 2021 review on UK transport connectivity, promising a response soon. They also highlight existing investments, including over £343 million in Welsh rail schemes and £1 billion for the North Wales Main Line electrification.
Wales Office
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16 Recommendation Deferred
Fourth Report - Wales as a global …
Require UK and Welsh Governments to develop proposals for funding transport infrastructure improvements
We call on the UK Government and the Welsh Government to recognise the key importance of transport to the tourism industry. We urge the UK Government and the Welsh Government to bring forward proposals to address these issues, focussing on … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of transport and is considering Lord Hendy's 2021 review on UK transport connectivity, promising a response soon. It highlights existing investments in Welsh rail infrastructure, including over £343 million and a £1 billion project to electrify the North Wales Main Line.
Wales Office
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Fourth Report - Wales as a global …
Prioritise positive consideration for a new direct rail link to Heathrow from the west
In particular, we urge that positive consideration be given to the proposed new direct rail link to Heathrow Airport from the west. This would hugely improve connectivity between Wales and Heathrow and make it much easier for international tourists to … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is considering Lord Hendy's 2021 review on UK transport connectivity, which includes strengthening main transport arteries, and will publish its response soon. It does not specifically commit to or comment on the proposed direct rail link to Heathrow from the west.
Wales Office
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18 Recommendation Deferred
Fourth Report - Wales as a global …
Require Welsh Government to re-examine visitor levy and mitigate negative tourism impact
We are concerned that the proposed visitor levy may have a negative impact on the number of international tourists coming to Wales. While we see some benefits that might accrue from the proposal, there are other ways in which these … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government states it does not have any locus in this area as it is a matter for the Welsh Government.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 18 of 14 classified
Accepted 9
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 1
Total 14 recs + 4 conclusions