Paul Davies AM enjoyed a visit to Fishguard and Goodwick Chamber of Trade and Tourism on February 28th. This was the culmination of a week in which tourism related businesses bent the ear of politicians about the needs of their industry.

The Chamber recognises the significance of tourism in the North Pembrokeshire area and took the Assembly member to places he had not seen before. Preseli Venture near Mathry provides a range of activities aimed primarily at the young.

Tregwynt Mill is an old wool weaving business, now in the hands of a further generation of Griffiths and employing 29 people producing high quality goods. Yet y Gors is a rare find in Pembrokeshire – fishing with accommodation on a 17 acre site. In the hands of Darren and Hannah Bailey for the past 2 years it brings many people to the area for relaxation and some amazing fish!

Further presentations were made by Gellifawr Hotel, Cefn y Dre B&B, Mayberry Kayaking, Dyffryn Fernant Gardens and Jeremy Martineau, who had arranged the visit, on the Chamber's plans in relation to coach visits.

Issues raised included:

• the lack of representation at Government level of the typical small scale tourism business
• the impact of business rates on employment
• the weight of regulation, some of which is unnecessary
• the difficulty in working within the planning system
• the opportunity to make more of what is already on the ground by helping businesses work together

Paul Davies was very pleased to meet with and hear from this important sector of our local economy, and said "Tourism is a vital part of the Pembrokeshire economy, employing significant numbers of people. Meeting a number of local businesses was hugely useful to me, as they are the backbone of the local economy. There is nothing better than hearing first hand of both successes, but also concerns relating to local businesses. I would like to sincerely thank the businesses I met and also the Fishguard and Goodwick Chamber of Trade for organising this tour."