THE CLOSURE of Oakwood Theme Park has sent shockwaves through Pembrokeshire, with concerns growing that the tourism industry across Wales is facing a crisis of rising costs, taxation, and declining visitor spending.

Cllr Huw Murphy, speaking on behalf of the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, warned that the Welsh tourism sector is caught in a ‘perfect storm’ of economic pressures and government policies that threaten its long-term survival.

As a young man, he worked at Oakwood in its first summer in 1987 while home from his studies at Liverpool. He recalled that Oakwood in its early years was one of the foremost tourist attractions in Wales, attracting international visitors, including coachloads from Ireland due to its proximity to Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

He acknowledged that Oakwood’s best years were behind it but emphasised that the park remained a well-known attraction that still drew large numbers of visitors. He said that for a county where over 20% of the workforce is employed in tourism, leisure, and hospitality, its loss will have a considerable impact on the Pembrokeshire economy, reducing both full-time and seasonal job opportunities.

Cllr Murphy raised concerns that the closure of Oakwood was not just a result of declining visitor numbers but also of increasing operating costs imposed by government decisions. He pointed to the rising cost of National Insurance Contributions introduced by the Chancellor in October 2024, combined with soaring energy prices, which have made it increasingly difficult for attractions like Oakwood to operate. On top of this, he warned that the much-touted tourism levy proposed by the Welsh Government could further discourage visitors and put additional strain on businesses.

He described a growing crisis in the Welsh tourism sector, with businesses struggling to cope with increasing costs while visitor spending is under pressure from the wider cost-of-living crisis. He said that tourism in Wales, and Pembrokeshire in particular, is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of ever-increasing operating costs combined with falling disposable incomes. Attractions like Oakwood, along with many other businesses within the tourism industry, will struggle to survive under these conditions.

Cllr Murphy called on the Welsh Government to recognise the urgency of the situation and provide support for the tourism sector, warning that failure to act could have long-term consequences for Pembrokeshire and other tourism-reliant regions. He said that the closure of Oakwood is a clear wake-up call to the Welsh Government that the tourism industry needs both direct and indirect assistance. Measures such as the proposed Tourism Levy will only lead to more business closures, making Pembrokeshire a less attractive place to visit. The direct result will be job losses, increased outward migration of young people seeking employment elsewhere, and an ageing population with fewer economic opportunities.

With the loss of Oakwood already making an impact, many in Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry fear that without intervention, the sector could see further business closures in the months and years to come.

A FORMER Dyfed-Powys Police CCTV operator appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (March 5) charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as offences under the Data Protection Act and Computer Misuse Act.

Russell Hasler, who was arrested in 2023 by the force’s Professional Standards Department, had worked as a CCTV operator since 2019. He resigned while under investigation for alleged offences committed between 2020 and 2022.

Following today’s hearing, Hasler was bailed to appear at Swansea Crown Court on April 4, 2025.

WALES OFFICE Minister Dame Nia Griffith has reinforced Wales’s pivotal role in the UK’s clean energy future during a trade mission to Copenhagen this week, meeting with Danish companies and potential investors.

The three-day visit came just a week after a landmark £600 million investment in Welsh green energy projects was announced. The deal, involving Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Bute Energy, and Green GEN Cymru, will support the development of new onshore wind farms across Wales—expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.

Dame Nia’s visit underscored the strong collaboration between Wales and Denmark in renewable energy, with Danish firms already investing in offshore wind projects off the North Wales coast and supplying turbines for onshore and offshore developments across Wales.

Currently, Denmark generates 50% of its electricity from wind and solar power, aligning with the UK Government’s ambition to become a global clean energy superpower. A key initiative in this mission is the development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, a project being led in partnership with the Welsh Government and industry stakeholders. This cutting-edge technology, which involves placing wind turbines on floating platforms to optimize wind conditions, could create up to 5,300 jobs and contribute £1.4 billion to the UK economy.

During her visit, Minister Griffith engaged in high-level discussions to strengthen cooperation on clean energy and attract investment. Her itinerary included meetings with leading Danish institutions and companies, strategic discussions on renewable energy projects, and participation in St. David’s Day events promoting Wales as a hub for clean energy innovation.

Dame Nia Griffith, Wales Office Minister, said: “There are tremendous opportunities for partners and investors in Denmark to work with us to boost the clean energy sector in Wales.

“I am determined to ensure we achieve our clean energy mission, which will bring energy security, lower energy bills, create good jobs, and protect future generations from the costs of climate change.”

Tim Morris, Head of Communications for Associated British Ports, added:
“Ports in Wales and Denmark share the ambition to play a foundational role in enabling the energy transition.

“It was great to meet with other port operators and key stakeholders from both countries to exchange insights. ABP has strong links with Danish organisations such as Ørsted and the Port of Esbjerg, and we look forward to deepening these relationships.”

The visit showcased Wales’s potential as a leader in renewable energy, particularly in floating offshore wind, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations and investments that will drive economic growth and sustainability.