A VOTE of no confidence has been passed against Wales’ First Minister over his handling of the country’s tourism industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) made the move after Mark Drakeford announced that indoor attractions cannot reopen.

The association fears Mr Drakeford’s “arbitrary ban” will leads to job losses and force many attractions into bankruptcy.

Members say Mr Drakeford’s decision to let non-essential shops, including big indoor department stores, re-open and not tourist attractions, highlights his “lack of true leadership.”

Ashford Price, from Dan-yr-Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, explained: “In the First Minister’s three-weekly press conference last Friday he stated that attractions in Wales would open on July 13.

“What he did not say was that indoor attractions would remain closed.

“He also stated that caravan parks would reopen on July 13. What he did not say was that he was referring to static caravan parks.”

Mr Price said: “There appears to be a complete lack of knowledge about Wales’ second largest industry, ie tourism.

“There are 120,000 jobs at risk in tourism.

“Operators have taken no money since last October. Many operators, from emails I am getting, are on the brink of collapse and some are suffering from mental health issues relating to stress.

“The present five-mile limit on travel in Wales is losing Welsh operators business, ie potential bookings are put off by the threat of a five-mile limit.

“We are handing our tourism industry on a plate to England unless we offer the same as England. In England, everything is opening including pubs, hotels, B&Bs, attractions and they have also reduced the two metre rule down to one metre.”

A spokesperson for WAVA explained: “WAVA has over many months worked with Visit Wales officers regarding the present pandemic crisis.

“All members have agreed that the health and safety of their staff and local people must come first. The R rate is relatively low at present, but if the R rate increased WAVA attractions would immediately close down, on receiving advice from the Welsh Government.

“WAVA fully supports the view that health comes before anything. However, WAVA does not support the arbitrary ban imposed by the First Minister stating that Welsh indoor attractions cannot reopen.

“The decision will lead to job losses and force many indoor attractions into bankruptcy.

“To enforce this closure ban does not make sense at it was Visit Wales that not only encouraged, but poured millions of pounds into developing indoor attractions.

“WAVA has always fully supported this decision as it helped holiday makers find things to do when rainy days occurred.”

News of Mr Drakeford’s ban on indoor attractions re-opening came as he gave the thumbs-up to all non-essential businesses opening up again to customers.

The spokesman added: “It does not make sense that you are now allowed in Wales to visit an indoor department story which has large numbers of shoppers all around you, but in contact you cannot visit an indoor Welsh attraction which can control its visitor numbers with a pre-booked system as part of a WAVA risk assessment.

“It is also a fact that large stores will stay open and take revenue throughout the coming winter and Christmas period. In contrast indoor tourist attractions will have no customers when children go back to school in early September due to the seasonality of tourism.

“Indoor attractions will then have to endure a further five months of closure during the winter, having generated no income to see them survive through this period.”

And the spokesman said: “The First Minister’s decision that large indoor department stores and all shops can reopen in Wales, but not tourism indoor businesses, is a tragedy and highlights his lack of true leadership.

“His decision will lead to businesses closing and hundreds being made redundant.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We review the coronavirus regulations every 21 days, as we are required to by law. At the last review on 19 June, the First Minister of Wales announced a comprehensive package of measures to further ease restrictions in Wales. These include lifting the requirement to stay local from 6 July, if conditions allow. If this happens, this will mean people are able to travel around Wales and will allow outdoor visitor attractions to open, subject to strict social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines.

“Options for re-opening self-contained holiday accommodation will be considered at the next review of the regulations on 9 July with a view to re-opening on 13 July. We are asking the sector to use the coming weeks to prepare for re-opening.

“We have adopted a careful and gradual approach to easing the restrictions. We will be guided by the latest scientific and medical advice and will carefully monitor the impact of each change. People’s health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our approach to easing the restrictions.”

The Brecon and Radnor Express asked the spokesman to comment on indoor tourist attractions, but a statement wasn’t forthcoming.