A BUSINESS group has pleaded with Gwynedd Council to not cut the county’s “absolutely vital” tourism department.

As part of Gwynedd Council’s pledge to slash £7m from next year’s budget, the local authority has put the tourism department on the chopping board in a bid to save nearly £460,000.

However Gwynedd Business Network, who act on behalf of the county’s enterprises, believe that the closing the department could actually lose the council £1m of income.

A spokesperson for GBN said: “Business and Tourism is absolutely vital to the Gwynedd Economy; it contributed £1,401 million to the Gwynedd economy in 2012 and the county has over tourism 2,800 businesses.

“Gwynedd is more reliant on tourism than any other area in Wales.

“We do not feel that cutting the tourism department would save £459,860 as Gwynedd Council could potentially lose significant Visit Wales funding opportunities.

“The lack of marketing to attract visitors to the area would result in a loss of income from parking, etc.

“Our opinion is that the closure could actually result in a loss of £0.5m, as Gwynedd Council could lose £1m of income – income which is critical to maintain services.”

The business group are already concerned by the impact of cost-saving measures.

“We are already seeing the effect of the cuts, and subsequent loss of jobs in the public sector, and so it is more important than ever to help and support the private sector to create more jobs in the county,” the GBN spokesperson continued.

“Both tourism and business support departments need to be more efficient in the future – marketing methods are evolving and digital marketing (websites and social media marketing), will take a larger proportion of marketing budgets in the future; however these are examples of efficient marketing. “As far as Barmouth Bridge is concerned, then negotiations could take place with local social enterprises or the communities to take over its running, which could be financed by tolls or other charges – there are plenty of examples of such ventures being successful (community pubs, community cinemas, etc.)

“It is essential that Gwynedd Council maintain its support services to ensure the long-term stability of the Gwynedd economy.

“The loss of the tourism and business support services would result in a loss of possible grant funding as well as a lack of strategy and assistance for tthose who need it.

“The private sector has an excellent relationship with Gwynedd and hopes this will continue in the future to achieve our common aim of the county being a better place to live and work.”