Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:25 pm on 29 September 2020.
Thank you. With regard to tourism-related businesses, we're obviously in ongoing dialogue with the UK Government. My friend and colleague Dafydd Elis-Thomas is in very, very regular contact with counterparts in the UK Government and has been pressing the case for a tourism and hospitality-related support package from the UK Government. Business development grants will require a business to demonstrate how they have a plan to get beyond coronavirus, to survive not just the immediate challenge but to thrive in the future.
I take on board very much the points raised regarding animal welfare issues. We're in discussions across departments within the Welsh Government regarding support that's required by animal visitor attractions. But, it has to be said that through the first two phases of the economic resilience fund we were able to invest very heavily indeed in zoos and other animal attractions.
In terms of the COVID-compliant Christmas offer that the Member suggested, I think it's probably retail that needs the greatest help in this regard. When I spoke to the Welsh Retail Consortium recently, they said that their message to consumers is to buy now and don't wait until just before Christmas—pace your purchasing—and I'd very much support that message to the population of Wales.
In regard to getting the message out more widely regarding attractions that are open, of course, the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions has an important role in this regard, in making sure that the public are aware that visitor attractions are operating in a very safe, COVID-proof way. Dafydd Elis-Thomas and I both speak with visitor attractions that have shown incredible resource in adapting to coronavirus, that are operating safely and that are enjoying good customer feedback as a consequence of the responsible actions that they've taken. We want to be able to help businesses like those through the deployment of those business development grants, which will not just offer the bridge through coronavirus but an opportunity to bounce back once we're through this pandemic.