2. Will the Minister make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to promote tourism in west Wales? OAQ53885

Thank you very much, Paul. Our research shows that west Wales had a very strong Easter in terms of visits, and, indeed, the west of Wales—and the south-west of Wales particularly—is a key part of marketing for Visit Wales, particularly in the UK, Ireland and in Germany. We also support local partners in marketing within the region and within Wales.

I know that the Deputy Minister appreciates how important tourism is to my constituency, and I agree with him, after seeing the latest figures: the latest figures do show that businesses in west Wales have had a good Easter. As the Deputy Minister will be aware, last week was Wales Tourism Week, and, as part of those celebrations, I visited a fantastic business called Hampton Court Holiday Park in Pembrokeshire, and I saw how Pete Russ and his family run a business that offers inclusive holidays for disabled people. The business is looking to expand, but, unfortunately, the business took about 10 years, between everything, to get planning permission. It’s important that we all do everything we can to support businesses like this. So, can the Deputy Minister tell us what specific support the Welsh Government is providing to tourism businesses that are providing for disabled people?

I’m extremely grateful for that supplementary question. Unfortunately, I can do nothing about planning consents, but, as an Assembly Member—rather than speaking as a Deputy Minister for a few moments—I do understand the pressures that exist in terms of planning within national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. But what I can do is propose, if he's available, that we both visit this business so that I can have a personal conversation to see what their needs are, report back, and see what further we can do.

To slightly develop the theme that the Minister has already responded to Paul Davies about, a key market, of course, potentially, for tourism in west Wales and throughout the nation, are disabled people and their families. Building on the kind of business that Paul Davies has just referred to, what further steps can the Welsh Government take to ensure that we have the best possible information available to disabled people and their families as to what facilities are available in our communities? I'm thinking here of accommodation, but I'm also thinking of leisure activities that would be suitable. Are there steps, for example, that the Minister could take, working with organisations like Disability Wales, to ensure that we use their networks, both to make disabled people aware of the excellent opportunities that are available to them, but also to make sure that we make the best use of that market, when we bear in mind that, certainly within Wales, we know that one in six of our citizens has a disability of some kind?

Thank you for that supplementary question. When we do fund tourism developments, we, of course, encourage developments that promote equality of opportunity in terms of their access, but, as the specific question has been asked with a particular reference to Disability Wales, then I am more than happy to meet with them to discuss the issue of trying to promote holidays in Wales to people with particular travel needs or disabilities, because enjoying the Welsh landscape on holiday is important for everyone in Wales and outside Wales and for everyone of all abilities too.

Does the Deputy Minister—? Does he believe it has been of benefit that west Wales has become more cost-competitive compared to overseas destinations, with a lower exchange rate since the EU referendum, and what proposals does he have to further capitalise on this at least potential advantage?

I'm not going to be drawn into discussing fiscal policy. I will confine myself to the tourism implications of international changes, and I think it is essential that we do market Wales, in terms of the offer, to every segment of the market. It is not just a cheap holiday. It's not just an expensive holiday. It's an appropriate choice for people of different levels of income so that they can enjoy appropriate accommodation and appropriate facilities.