5. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to increase the numbers of tourists visiting the south Wales valleys? OAQ54701

Thank you very much for that question. One of my priorities in supporting tourism—. I'm never sure which way to look. [Laughter.] I'm supposed to address the Dirprwy Lywydd, if you put up with my back, briefly, for this moment.

One of my priorities is supporting tourism across Wales through marketing, capital development funding for new and existing tourism businesses and revenue funding for regional projects. Since 2014, tourism investment has delivered eight funding packages in the south Wales Valleys, totalling £3.7 million, resulting in an investment of £11.3 million.

Thank you, Deputy Minister, for that very detailed answer. Just last month, there was a very welcome announcement that, along with your ministerial colleagues, you jointly agreed to fund Sustrans to lead a partnership bid for assembling external funding for the reopening and running of both the Abernant and Rhondda tunnels. As I have said previously, I believe that reopening those tunnels could give a considerable boost, not least in terms of heritage and cycling tourism. I'd welcome your views on this and your thoughts on what actions could be taken by the Welsh Government to maximise the tourism potential if those tunnels did reopen.

Well, as it happens, I have before me the two relevant reports: the one on the south-east Wales study of the Rhondda tunnel and, of course, the one that refers to the scoping study for the national cycle network using railway tunnels. The Abernant tunnel would provide a cross-Valley link between Aberdare and Merthyr; the Rhondda tunnel between the Afan and Rhondda Valleys; the Pennar tunnel between Pontllanfraith and Newbridge; and there are possibilities with the Usk tunnel, which is a disused railway line that would avoid a busy road.

What I've done is to ask Sustrans to lead partnership work, which we have partly funded, to explore the potential for bringing key tunnels back into use. I'm very excited by what has happened in Bath and the two tunnels scheme, which also in that case involves an aqueduct. The study will build on the work that Welsh Government did in 2015 and the work that local authorities have done on the active travel network. The Sustrans study will invite key stakeholders, including the Rhondda Tunnel Society, to be involved in the partnership to take this forward.

I believe opening tunnels up to further public use, especially for cycling, hiking, walking and other activities—although obviously not motorised transport, and not the return of trains, or at least not yet—should be part of the function of the tourism department.

Minister, taking to the air, we know there won't be a zip wire across Cardiff Bay, but Zip World—I know you appreciate their services, they do so much in your part of Wales—have looked at the Tower colliery site in Hirwaun. There are other fantastic sites in the upper Valleys as well to have zip wires. Wouldn't it be marvellous if we could open one and invite the zip wire king, Boris Johnson, to come and open it? [Laughter.]

I am unable to answer questions that would take me into territory referring to the current Westminster election. I feel particularly unable to do this as, of course, being a mere peer of the realm, I am unable to vote in this election. But, I should also declare a personal interest or a neighbourhood interest, although not a financial interest, in Zip World and in the investments undertaken by my friend and neighbour over the hill in Nant-y-Rhiw in the Conwy valley, Sean Taylor.

He has indeed, I know, both from the local authority, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and from himself, visited the area and he is very interested in investing in a zip wire of the Valleys. I look forward to that project coming forward. I don't think I can comment any further on the merits of it. He has not in the past sought funds from my department for his investment, at least not on a large scale, but I can't comment further on it because obviously there are planning issues.

But the achievement of Zip World in the north has transformed the visitor economy and has emphasised the attractiveness of Wales and its landscape. And I can say that I did send my director general in the department of tourism, media and sport to test out the zip wire on my behalf, which Mr Jason Thomas, if I may name him in this Chamber, did with great style.

There is amazing potential for the Rhondda, especially when it comes to cycling, from a tourism perspective. We have some of the finest and most picturesque climbs in the UK. For example, the Bwlch-Rhigos loop is often used by Tour de France winner, Geraint Thomas, and his team mate, Luke Rowe, when training. I produced this document earlier this year, in conjunction with Sustrans, and it explores the ways in which we could stimulate cycling in the Rhondda, not just for tourists, but for local people who want to get onto two wheels for whatever reason.

Poor cycling infrastructure is a major barrier. In some places in the Rhondda, it's simply not safe to travel up and down the Rhondda, and this has to be improved, especially if we are to bring to fruition the Rhondda tunnel project, which has incredible potential to draw tourist visitors to the area. I welcome what you've said about the Rhondda tunnel, but can you tell us what budget will be available, and when it will be available, to improve the paths that lead to the Rhondda tunnel, because we need that investment in order to make the Rhondda tunnel project viable?

I'm unable to give you figures on that from the briefing I have before me today, but I will look into it. But I will also say that any related works that are needed need to be part of a feasibility study that relates to developing the tunnel, because it doesn't make sense to open a tunnel and not ensure that the access to it on both sides means that it is part of the national cycle network.