Conservatives say tax plans and 182-day rule are piling pressure on west Wales sector

TOURISM businesses across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are facing a “perfect storm” of pressures at the very start of the holiday season, according to two senior Welsh Conservative figures.

With the Easter holidays traditionally marking the start of the main tourism period, firms across west Wales would normally be preparing to welcome visitors and generate crucial income after the winter months.

But Paul Davies MS and Senedd candidate Sam Kurtz say confidence in the sector is being undermined by rising costs, new regulations and what they describe as damaging policy decisions.

Tourism remains one of the main economic drivers in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, supporting thousands of jobs and a wide range of small and medium-sized businesses.

Mr Davies said: “Easter is the starting point for the tourism season in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. It’s when businesses begin to recover after winter and build momentum for the year ahead. But instead of optimism, many are facing a perfect storm created by rising costs and damaging policy decisions that we voted against.”

Mr Kurtz added: “Tourism is the backbone of the economy in Penfro and across west Wales. But policies like the proposed tourism tax and changes such as the 182-day rule are adding uncertainty and pressure at exactly the wrong time.”

Concerns raised by businesses include the impact of the 182-day rule, which requires many self-catering operators to meet higher occupancy thresholds or face increased tax bills.

There is also concern about the proposed visitor levy, which critics say could deter tourists and make Wales less competitive than other parts of the UK.

Operators are also dealing with rising day-to-day costs, including business rates, energy bills, staffing pressures and increased compliance demands.

Mr Davies said: “These policies might be well-intentioned, but the cumulative effect is damaging. At the very point the season begins, businesses are being hit with uncertainty and additional costs that threaten their viability.”

Setting out the Welsh Conservatives’ position, he said the party would scrap plans for a tourism tax, work with councils to expand free town centre parking, and reduce the 182-day threshold to 105 days.

He said: “Our focus would be on making west Wales a competitive, welcoming destination for visitors while supporting local jobs and communities.”

Mr Kurtz said: “The difference is clear. Welsh Conservatives back small businesses and understand the importance of tourism to rural economies. We want to reduce burdens, restore confidence, and ensure Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion remain top destinations for visitors from across the UK and beyond.”

He added that the issue was about more than tourism operators alone.

“This is about jobs, communities, and the future of tourism in west Wales,” he said. “Easter should bring opportunity and confidence, not additional concern about whether businesses can survive the year ahead.”

Industry figures are now calling for a more balanced approach that supports sustainable tourism while recognising the sector’s importance to rural communities.

Tom Sinclair appeared live from 7:00am to 9:00am, offering local knowledge and insight on west Wales issues

THE EDITOR of The Pembrokeshire Herald was part of BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Tuesday morning, appearing live throughout the full two-hour programme.

Tom Sinclair joined the broadcast from 7:00am to 9:00am as a presenter’s friend, assisting with local knowledge and contributing insight on issues affecting communities in west Wales.

The appearance placed Sinclair at the heart of one of BBC Radio Wales’ flagship breakfast shows, with discussion ranging across local matters and the political debate surrounding healthcare and public services in the region.

It comes at a time when west Wales issues are increasingly moving into the national spotlight, particularly ahead of the Senedd election campaign, with hospital services, transport, rural concerns and the wider future of communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion all high on the agenda.

Sinclair said the broadcast had gone well and described it as a valuable opportunity to bring a grounded west Wales perspective to a national audience.

The appearance underlines the growing recognition of local expertise in shaping wider Welsh political and public debate.

Photo caption:

On air: Tom Sinclair during BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Tuesday morning (Pic: BBC Radio Wales).

Visitors can stay among rescued animals, enjoy countryside calm and unwind with tours and vegan beauty treatments near Tegryn

VISITORS can stay overnight, meet the animals and even enjoy a treatment at the on-site vegan salon at Rosehaven Retreat near Tegryn.

Set in the peaceful north Pembrokeshire countryside, Rosehaven Retreat offers guests a chance to slow down and enjoy a different kind of break — one surrounded by nature, rescued animals and the quiet charm of rural west Wales.

The retreat offers cosy on-site caravan and cabin accommodation, giving visitors the chance to relax, explore the surrounding area and escape the pressures of daily life. Many guests say the peaceful setting is one of the most memorable parts of their stay, with open countryside, gentle views and the sounds of animals beginning their day adding to the experience.

Guests are welcomed with vegan treats on arrival, adding a thoughtful personal touch.

What makes Rosehaven Retreat especially unusual, however, is its close connection to Little Pigs at Home, the animal sanctuary next door.

Founded in 2022 by Suki and her husband after moving to Wales, the sanctuary was created to provide a safe and loving home for rescued and surrendered farm animals. It is now home to pigs, sheep, ducks, tortoises, dogs and cats, many of which have come from difficult backgrounds and now enjoy permanent care and protection.

Guests staying at Rosehaven Retreat can arrange guided tours of the sanctuary, giving them the chance to meet the animals and learn more about the work involved in caring for them. Tours are offered for a suggested donation, helping to support the sanctuary’s ongoing work.

Visitors can also add a little extra relaxation to their stay with treatments at the on-site vegan beauty salon, run by Suki. Offering a range of beauty and wellbeing treatments using vegan products, the salon provides a calm and welcoming space for guests to unwind. Those staying at the retreat can also enjoy discounted treatments.

Combining countryside accommodation, animal encounters and wellness treatments, Rosehaven Retreat offers something genuinely different in Pembrokeshire — a place where guests can relax, recharge and support a worthwhile cause at the same time.

To find out more or book, visit:

Airbnb: airbnb.com/h/nannyjillscabin
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