Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Cathy Owen & Lottie Gibbons

Date set for English tourists to visit and holiday in Wales

Wales has set a date for tourists to be able to visit and stay for holidays.

First Minster Mark Drakeford is opening the country up for tourism again, as restrictions are lifted in three weeks time.

He has reportedly told local holiday businesses to prepare.

Today he confirmed that the "stay local" five-mile restriction is due to be lifted on July 6, and added that he has had lengthy discussions with tourism bosses, reports Wales Online.

A lone mute swan reflected by the Snowdonia mountains (Ian Cooper)

From July 13, he said people are likely to be able to go on holidays

  • to a static caravan with its own kitchen and toilet
  • to a rented cottage
  • to a hotel that has turned itself into self-contained accommodation.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, he said: "The visitor economy in Wales needs to use the coming three weeks to prepare to re-open self-contained accommodation in Wales during the month of July.

"Self-contained is very important. Stay local remains for two weeks because coronavirus spreads where people come together where they share facilities.

"If you have in Wales a static caravan that has got its own kitchen and bathroom, if you are renting a cottage, if you are going to a hotel that has turned itself into self-contained accommodation there will be a clear signal for me today to use the next three weeks to get everything you need in place.

"You will be able to start taking bookings for after July 13.

"I am aware how important these businesses are for so many communities in Wales and planning ahead will let that industry work with the local communities.

"We also have to be able to secure community consent for people travelling back into areas that have seen very few visitors and very little coronavirus.

"The people who work in the industry are the local people and they live in these places so the industry is well-placed to have those conversations. People outside Wales know that Wales will be open provided that the virus is under control."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.