The June 2025 wave of the Tourism Business Barometer showed that only a minority of tourism and hospitality businesses are currently trying to fill staff vacancies, with just 15% actively recruiting new staff.
One of the main reasons cited was the inability to afford additional staff, due to increases in National Insurance Contributions for employers. However, Welsh Labour policies, such as the 182-day rule, are also having a direct impact on the industry. Notably, 39% of self-catering operators stated that they are not confident about running their businesses profitably. Some businesses have reduced their prices to meet the threshold, while others have had to factor in the premium domestic council tax rate as a result of not meeting the requirements.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament, expressed disappointment, but not surprise, at the figures and the experiences reported by tourism and hospitality businesses.
Commenting on the findings of the Tourism Barometer, Janet said:
“Both the UK and Welsh Labour Governments’ policies are already impacting our tourism and hospitality industry.
“Self-catering businesses are having to reduce their profits or factor in the cost of paying additional tax for not reaching the 182-day threshold.
“Hoteliers are seeing a drop in bed occupancy at a time when Welsh Government has cut business rate relief support, and the UK Government has increased staffing costs, leading to a nightmare scenario where some a throwing in the towel.
“These businesses are going to be further impacted by the introduction of the Visitor Levy, which the Welsh Conservatives were the only party to oppose throughout the entire legislative process.
“Tourism is vital to Wales, and in some areas, it is the only industry. It is therefore essential that these businesses are supported, not hindered. A strong, healthy tourism and hospitality sector leads to a strong and healthy economy.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Dangosodd ton Mehefin 2025 ar y Baromedr Busnes Twristiaeth mai dim ond ychydig o fusnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch sy'n ceisio llenwi swyddi gwag staff ar hyn o bryd, gyda dim ond 15% wrthi’n weithredol yn recriwtio staff newydd.
Un o'r prif resymau a roddwyd oedd yr anallu i fforddio staff ychwanegol, oherwydd cynnydd mewn Cyfraniadau Yswiriant Gwladol i gyflogwyr. Fodd bynnag, mae polisïau Llafur Cymru, fel y rheol 182 diwrnod, hefyd yn cael effaith uniongyrchol ar y diwydiant. Yn nodedig, dywedodd 39% o weithredwyr llety hunanddarpar nad ydyn nhw’n hyderus am redeg eu busnesau gydag elw. Mae rhai busnesau wedi gostwng eu prisiau er mwyn cyrraedd y trothwy, tra bod eraill wedi gorfod ystyried y premiwm treth gyngor domestig oherwydd nad ydyn nhw’n bodloni'r gofynion.
Dywedodd Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd, ei bod wedi siomi, ond nid wedi synnu, at y ffigurau a'r profiadau a adroddwyd gan fusnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch.
Gan gyfeirio at ganfyddiadau'r Baromedr Twristiaeth, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae polisïau Llywodraeth Lafur y DU a Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru eisoes yn effeithio ar ein diwydiant twristiaeth a lletygarwch.
"Mae busnesau hunanddarpar yn gorfod lleihau eu helw neu ystyried y gost o dalu treth ychwanegol am beidio â chyrraedd y trothwy 182 diwrnod.
"Mae gwestai yn gweld gostyngiad mewn defnydd gwelyau ar adeg pan mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi torri cymorth rhyddhad ardrethi busnes, ac mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cynyddu costau staffio, gan arwain at senario hunllefus lle mae rhai yn rhoi’r ffidil yn y to.
"Mae'r busnesau hyn yn mynd i gael eu heffeithio ymhellach wrth i’r Ardoll Ymwelwyr gael ei chyflwyno. Y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig oedd yr unig blaid i wrthwynebu hyn gydol y broses ddeddfwriaethol.
"Mae twristiaeth yn hanfodol i Gymru, ac mewn rhai ardaloedd, dyma'r unig ddiwydiant. Felly, mae'n hanfodol bod y busnesau hyn yn cael eu cefnogi, nid eu
rhwystro. Mae sector twristiaeth a lletygarwch cryf, iach yn arwain at economi gref ac iach."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
