The Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru’s policies have severely impacted the tourism and hospitality industry. The introduction of the 182-day threshold, proposed increases to business rates, and rising food and energy costs have forced some historic businesses to close.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and a strong advocate for the tourism sector, has called on the Welsh Government to reverse these policies and better support the industry.
Janet commented:
“Both the UK and Welsh Labour Governments, supported by Plaid Cymru through their Co-operation Agreement, have introduced measures that are damaging our vital tourism and hospitality sector. This industry is the backbone of the Welsh economy and central to Aberconwy.
“I regularly hear from constituents and stakeholders about the impact on their businesses and their concerns about what lies ahead. In many parts of Wales, reaching the 182-day threshold is extremely difficult due to factors such as location, weather, and competition. This raises the risk of higher council tax charges on their properties.
“Even those who meet the threshold report delays in receiving the business rates relief owed to them, adding further financial strain on accommodation providers.
“With councils set to decide whether to introduce the Visitor Levy, it is essential they consider the wider impact on businesses and how this could affect competitiveness with England and other parts of Wales that do not apply the tax.
“My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have consistently opposed these measures introduced by Labour and Plaid Cymru. That is why we have pledged to scrap the tourism tax and reduce the 182-day rule to 105 days, as called for by the sector.
“We cannot allow any more hardworking businesses to close.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Mae polisïau Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru a Plaid Cymru wedi effeithio'n ddifrifol ar y diwydiant twristiaeth a lletygarwch. Mae cyflwyno'r trothwy 182 diwrnod, cynnydd arfaethedig mewn ardrethi busnes, a chynnydd mewn costau bwyd ac ynni wedi gorfodi rhai busnesau hanesyddol i gau.
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, yn eiriolwr cryf dros y sector twristiaeth. Mae wedi galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i wrthdroi'r polisïau hyn a gwneud mwy i gefnogi'r diwydiant.
Meddai Janet:
"Mae Llywodraeth Lafur y DU a Chymru, gyda chefnogaeth Plaid Cymru drwy eu Cytundeb Cydweithio, wedi cyflwyno mesurau sy'n niweidio ein sector twristiaeth a lletygarwch hanfodol. Y diwydiant hwn yw asgwrn cefn economi Cymru ac yn enwedig Aberconwy.
"Rwy'n clywed yn rheolaidd gan etholwyr a rhanddeiliaid am yr effaith ar eu busnesau a'u pryderon am yr hyn sydd o'n blaenau. Mewn sawl rhan o Gymru, mae cyrraedd y trothwy 182 diwrnod yn hynod anodd oherwydd ffactorau fel lleoliad, tywydd a chystadleuaeth. Mae hyn yn codi'r risg o daliadau treth gyngor uwch ar eu heiddo.
"Mae hyd yn oed y rhai sy'n bodloni'r trothwy yn crybwyll oedi wrth dderbyn y rhyddhad ardrethi busnes sy'n ddyledus iddyn nhw, gan ychwanegu straen ariannol pellach ar ddarparwyr llety.
"Gyda chynghorau ar fin penderfynu a ddylid cyflwyno'r Ardoll Ymwelwyr, mae'n hanfodol eu bod yn ystyried yr effaith ehangach ar fusnesau a sut y gallai hyn effeithio ar gystadleuaeth gyda Lloegr a rhannau eraill o Gymru nad ydyn nhw’n cymhwyso'r dreth.
"Mae fy nghydweithwyr yn y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig a minnau wedi gwrthwynebu'n gyson y mesurau hyn a gyflwynwyd gan Llafur a Plaid Cymru. Dyna pam rydyn ni wedi addo dileu'r dreth dwristiaeth a lleihau'r rheol 182 diwrnod i 105 diwrnod, fel y mae’r sector yn galw amdano.
"Ni allwn ganiatáu i fwy o fusnesau gweithgar gau."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
