A TOURISM leader has backed calls for the summer season to be extended in order to help the industry.

Findings of the Wales Tourism Business Covid-19 Barometer published last week show that although Wales has had a busy few weeks in welcoming guests, an extended period of staycations through the autumn is needed to boost business.

The results indicate 78 per cent of businesses are open, with 51 per cent of those operating at full capacity. 

Whilst 80 per cent of open self-catering businesses are fully open, 43 per cent of serviced accommodation is fully open and that is lower for attractions, hostels and activity providers.

Eleven per cent of open businesses have had more customers since reopening than they would normally have at this time of year, and 45 per cent have had the same level.

Reacting to the findings, Cllr Rowland Rees Evans, who runs Penrhos Park in Llanrhystud and is chairman of Mid Wales Tourism, which represents the industry across the region, said: “I think it is fair to say that overall the majority of the industry within the area has fared reasonably well since reopening.

“I must admit that I am slightly surprised with some of the statistics that Welsh Government have released this week. 

“For example I think that if only 11 per cent of businesses are seeing more people than normal and 45 per cent the same, then I can only assume that these extra people are all in West Wales!

“Here at Penrhos, we are not running at 100 per cent, but those parts of the business that are have been busier than ever.

“We all acknowledge that the summer is going to be short and our attention must turn to the autumn and winter, which Visit Wales are doing.

“The longer we can sustain the summer and lengthen the tourism season the easier it will be to survive until next March. 

“When the country went into lockdown back in March we were under no illusion that this was the best way to try and control this awful virus and to help the NHS to cope with the situation.

“As a nation I think we have done a pretty good job and we certainly have in Ceredigion.

"The next phase was re opening which was arguably not as smooth or coherent as many of us would have liked, however, we are where we are and we all now have a responsibility to manage the risk of infection.”

Lord Elis-Thomas, deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, has reinforced the need for visitors, businesses and communities to work together to keep Wales safe and said: “Only by us all doing our part and taking personal responsibility for our actions can we continue to tackle coronavirus.

“Although we’re approaching the last of the summer bank holidays, Wales also has so much to offer in the autumn – and planning days out and discovering, in a responsible manner, what’s on our doorstep will help to extend the season and support Wales’ visitor economy.”