This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7713626.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Welsh tourism policy under fire | Welsh tourism policy under fire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Welsh assembly government is under fire over its tourism policy in a heavily-critical review. | The Welsh assembly government is under fire over its tourism policy in a heavily-critical review. |
| The draft report from the Wales Tourism Alliance, obtained by BBC Wales, recommends creating a new tourism body. | The draft report from the Wales Tourism Alliance, obtained by BBC Wales, recommends creating a new tourism body. |
| It says there is a "disconnection" between tourism operators and Visit Wales, the government body set up in 2006 to market attractions. | It says there is a "disconnection" between tourism operators and Visit Wales, the government body set up in 2006 to market attractions. |
| The tourism minister's spokesman said he wanted a far wider industry involvement in developing policy. | The tourism minister's spokesman said he wanted a far wider industry involvement in developing policy. |
| The report also says tourism in Wales appears to be underfunded compared with Scotland and Ireland. | The report also says tourism in Wales appears to be underfunded compared with Scotland and Ireland. |
| The powers of the former Wales Tourist Board were taken over by the assembly government in April 2006. | The powers of the former Wales Tourist Board were taken over by the assembly government in April 2006. |
| The report, commissioned by the assembly government, has been seen by BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme. | The report, commissioned by the assembly government, has been seen by BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme. |
| It says Visit Wales has "irrevocably changed the nature of the support it can provide for the industry". | It says Visit Wales has "irrevocably changed the nature of the support it can provide for the industry". |
| "This has created a disconnect between the industry and Visit Wales," it says. | "This has created a disconnect between the industry and Visit Wales," it says. |
| "We strongly recommend creating a new tourism public/private sector organisation that re-addresses this balance and will enable the industry to play a full role in developing tourism in the future." | "We strongly recommend creating a new tourism public/private sector organisation that re-addresses this balance and will enable the industry to play a full role in developing tourism in the future." |
| Alun Cairns, AM, says report is damning of assembly government | Alun Cairns, AM, says report is damning of assembly government |
| About 170 tourist operators were asked their views, and an overwhelming number were critical saying that the government did not really appreciate tourism's economic importance. | About 170 tourist operators were asked their views, and an overwhelming number were critical saying that the government did not really appreciate tourism's economic importance. |
| The Wales Tourism Alliance - which represents tourism operators - was commissioned to undertake a review of the industry. | The Wales Tourism Alliance - which represents tourism operators - was commissioned to undertake a review of the industry. |
| There was concern that Visit Wales was less accessible than the old Wales Tourist Board. | There was concern that Visit Wales was less accessible than the old Wales Tourist Board. |
| Conservative finance spokesman in Wales, Alun Cairns AM said the report was damning and undermined changes in organising tourism policy recently. | Conservative finance spokesman in Wales, Alun Cairns AM said the report was damning and undermined changes in organising tourism policy recently. |
| "They got rid of the Wales Tourist Board on the basis that it would bring government closer to businesses and tourists," he said. | "They got rid of the Wales Tourist Board on the basis that it would bring government closer to businesses and tourists," he said. |
| "It has clearly failed in that respect." | "It has clearly failed in that respect." |
| A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said a tourism summit had been arranged for 19 November and the heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has noted the call for greater industry partnership with government. | A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said a tourism summit had been arranged for 19 November and the heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has noted the call for greater industry partnership with government. |
| "He would like to have far wider industry involvement in the development of tourism policy and strategy," said the spokesman. | "He would like to have far wider industry involvement in the development of tourism policy and strategy," said the spokesman. |
| Dragon's Eye on BBC2 Wales at 2100 and on BBC One Wales at 2235 GMT. |