Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update

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24 April 2020


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Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update

The situation is developing quickly. Please follow the news reports and for latest advice regularly visit the Public Health Wales website and the Business Wales website


Welsh Government releases additional £100m business support as Economic Resilience Fund sees unprecedented rate of applications

The latest phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund has benefited from the release of a further £100million from ministers within 72 hours of launch, due to a massive demand. Read more details here

Please check your eligibility at https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/


First Minister announces path to lead Wales out of coronavirus pandemic

First Minister Mark Drakeford has today published a framework and seven key questions to help lead Wales out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The framework will help to determine when the strict stay-at-home restrictions can begin to be relaxed in Wales and will help to find a way for people in Wales to live and work alongside coronavirus.

A Wales-wide programme of surveillance, case identification, and contract tracing is being developed through the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton. This will highlight the importance of community testing and support the containment of emerging coronavirus infections as and when restrictions are eased.

The framework – and the seven questions – will help determine when the time is right to relax some of the stay-at home regulations.  

The seven questions are:

  • Would easing a restriction have a negative effect on containing the virus?
  • Does a particular measure pose a low risk of further infection?
  • How can it be monitored and enforced?
  • Can it be reversed quickly if it creates unintended consequences?
  • Does it have a positive economic benefit?
  • Does it have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing?
  • Does it have a positive impact on equality?

Read in full here. 


Further guidance on whether you can accept bookings before 26 September 2020

We have received a number of queries from businesses about the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment ) Regulations 2020 and the subsequent guidance that was issued, especially in relation to accepting bookings between now and 26 September.  This link provides some further clarity on those queries.


 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open

The online claim service for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been launched on GOV.UK. Any entity with a UK payroll can apply, including businesses, charities, recruitment agencies and public authorities. To prepare to make your claim you will need:

  • a Government Gateway (GG) ID and password – if you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply for one online
  • be enrolled for PAYE online – if you aren’t registered yet, you can do so here
  • the following information for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for: Name, National Insurance number, Claim period and claim amount, PAYE/employee number (optional).
  • if you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff – you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee. If you have 100 or more furloughed staff – you will need to upload a file with information for each employee; HMRC will accept the following file types: .xls .xlsx .csv .ods.

You should retain all records and calculations in respect of your claims. You can find more information on the scheme and eligibility to claim here.


Culture Resilience Fund

Help for museums, libraries, archives and professionals affected by coronavirus:

The Cultural Resilience Fund provides help with urgent short-term pressures to

  • museums
  • collections
  • self-employed conservation services, for example conservators and curators
  • archives
  • libraries

To apply, email CultureAndSport.Covid19@gov.wales with an outline of your requirements (no more than 200 words).


Impact on Industry – Tracker Surveys

We are continuing to track the impact of COVID-19 and feedback findings and issues to senior figures in Welsh Government and UK Government.  This week we launch wave three of the telephone survey focussed on finance and issues facing the tourism sector going forward.  We have also updated the online survey available here.

Thank you for your continued support in providing valuable feedback.


Revised coronavirus rules for Wales unveiled

The stay-at-home regulations have been revised in Wales to continue to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Welsh Government is changing the core requirement for people not to leave the place where they live to a requirement not to leave or remain away from that place.

This will help clarify that people who leave their home with a reasonable excuse – such as going out to shop for food, for healthcare or for work – cannot remain outside to do other things. Read more here


Marketing update

Although all principal campaign activity was paused from mid-March, we continue to maintain a presence on social media, concentrating on public health information and the simple message of “Visit Wales. Later”.  We are retweeting and sharing selected posts across platforms, from destinations, Public Health, Police and others to support the overall message.

The situation is reviewed daily and over the next week to 10 days, subject to public sentiment and the situation at that time, we aim to gradually introduce suitable content on our social channels.  We are also putting foundation work in place to ensure that we are in the best position possible to support the industry in the short and mid-term. That work includes consideration of activity that will involve our many stakeholders and partners. Please check in with our industry communications regularly to make sure that you’re up to date with the situation.


UKinbound webinars

UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector and they ensure it is recognised as a leading economic and employment driver in the UK.  During the COVID -19 outbreak they are running a series of webinars for their members and UKinbound has kindly given the opportunity for non-members to access the recordings.

The Leadership in a Crisis Webinar was run in partnership with Nicola Lyle from Fired Up Leaders and you can access the presentations from the session and a link to the recording here.  Please note as this was pre-recorded; you will be unable to ask questions.

Find out more information about UKinbound at www.ukinbound.org


Stay up to date with tourism industry news

We are committed to providing the support and assurance the business community needs during these unprecedented difficult times and have issued several Coronavirus (COVID-19) related bulletins which can be found here. These include:

  • 20 April: Bulletin: Economic Resilience Fund - additional £100m; Business disruption insurance - call for evidence; Job Retention Scheme is open
  • 17 April: Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
  • 17 April: Economic Resilience Fund applications process opens
  • 10 April: Find out if your business is eligible for support from the new Economic Resilience Fund
  • 09 April: Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
  • 8 April: Urgent Notice to Holiday Accommodation Businesses (Amendment) / Request for Holiday Accommodation Businesses to provide accommodation for vulnerable groups
  • 2 April: Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
  • 30 March: New £500m Economic Resilience Fund launched for Wales
  • 27 March: Urgent Notice to Holiday Accommodation Businesses
  • 27 March: Self-employment Income Support Scheme; Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • 26 March: Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
  • 25 March: Urgent Notice: COVID-19 – Guidance for Holiday Park owners and operators
  • 24 March: Coronavirus Guidance on Further Businesses and Premises to Close
  • 23 March: Tough new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus introduced today
  • 19 March: Ministers announce new £1.4bn business support package
  • 12 March: Coronavirus industry information

Make sure you stay up to date with tourism industry news by following us on twitter on @VisitWalesBiz and also encourage others who may benefit, to stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter here.


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