Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:59 pm on 27 April 2022.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to thank all Members from across the Chamber this afternoon who have contributed today. It's been a really important and, at times, a very impassioned debate about a really important sector here in Wales. In closing today's debate, I'd like to focus on three issues that I think have been brought to the fore amongst us, and first is the importance of tourism in Wales, as eloquently outlined by Tom Giffard in opening today's debate. As we know, Wales welcomes around 100 million visits every single year. These are people coming to our great nation, spending their money, supporting local jobs and enjoying our spectacular attractions. I was a little bit disappointed, actually, by Members not name dropping even more areas of outstanding natural beauty or attractions, but a few were mentioned today, and we do have already designated five areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as, of course, the national parks across Wales and fantastic attractions. Three of those areas of outstanding natural beauty, of course, are in north Wales, some may argue that being the most attractive part of Wales, but I dare not mention that just now. Point 1 of our motion states we celebrate
'Wales's strength as a world-class tourist destination.'
I was amazed, actually, that Welsh Government chose to delete that part of our motion. Of all the parts of our motion, surely celebrating Wales as a world-class tourism destination, surely that's fairly harmless. I was disappointed that the Welsh Government decided to do that. That was the first thing. [Interruption.] Sorry, do you want to make—?