Coronavirus: Tourism Industry Update
Please follow the news reports and for latest advice regularly visit the Public Health Wales website and the Business Wales website
BULLETIN CONTENTS - More than £1.7 billion reaches businesses in Wales; Letter to businesses from Ken Skates regarding the end of the EU Transition Period; Join VisitBritain for a webinar reviewing the latest data from the Tourism Consumer Sentiment Surveys; Superfast Business Wales webinars for tourism & hospitality businesses; Wellbeing and Mental Health; Business Interruption Insurance; Extension of the Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme; Welsh Government Consultations; Useful COVID-19 information.
More than £1.7 billion reaches businesses in Wales
Businesses in Wales have received in excess of £1.7 billion from Welsh Government since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Economy Minister Ken Skates said this financial assistance has been crucial in helping thousands of businesses throughout Wales and protected many more jobs and livelihoods that might otherwise have been lost. The funding includes over £520 million provided through Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund with more payments reaching firms daily.
The Minister also revealed that money is already reaching tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses from the £180 million sector specific fund which opened on Wednesday, 13 January with applications being processed quickly.
The sector specific fund currently remains open and businesses can find out if they are eligible and make an application by visiting the Business Wales website.
Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
Letter to businesses from Ken Skates regarding the end of the EU Transition Period
The Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has issued a letter highlighting the Business Wales EU Transition Portal and a tracker that the UK government has developed.
The Business Wales EU Transition Portal provides a central source of advice and guidance for businesses preparing for the new trading relationship, including information on latest developments.
The UK government tracker can be used by businesses to obtain a personalised list of actions. The checker tool will ask questions about your business and provides all the information you need to be aware of.
He also highlights documents developed by the UK Government which cover actions that businesses should take to ensure they are compliant with the new rules. Visit the Business Wales website for more details.
Join VisitBritain for a webinar reviewing the latest data from the Tourism Consumer Sentiment Surveys
Visit Wales, in partnership with VisitBritain, has been running a series of consumer sentiment tracking surveys in the UK market and 14 key inbound international markets. VisitBritain will be running a webinar on Thursday 28 January 11am to 12.30pm presenting the latest findings from these surveys. This will include information on travel intentions and valuable insights on visitor needs to help inform recovery planning. The webinar is free and open to all. Please book your place via the VisitBritain website.
Superfast Business Wales webinars for tourism & hospitality businesses
Superfast Business Wales is offering a free two-part webinar tailored to the tourism and hospitality sector. There are two sessions for each topic, outlined below, and there’ll be an opportunity to book a free follow-up 1:1 with a Digital Business Adviser.
Part 1 – Social media for the tourism and hospitality sector
- 25 February 2021 - 14:00 - 16:00
- 11 March 2021 - 13:00 - 15:00
Part 2 – Running your tourism and hospitality business online
- 4 March 2021 - 14:00 - 16:00
- 18 March 2021 - 13:00 - 15:00
You can book your place here.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
These are unprecedented times for us as a society and whether you are self-employed or a business owner, COVID-19 will be causing a level of uncertainty. Guidance and information on Wellbeing and Mental Health for the business community is available through the Business Wales website.
OTHER NEWS:
Business Interruption Insurance
The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA)’s business interruption insurance test case. The coronavirus pandemic has led to widespread disruption and business closures resulting in substantial financial loss. Many customers have made claims for these losses under their business interruption (BI) insurance policies.
The Supreme Court handed down its judgment on 15 January 2021 substantially allowing the FCA’s appeals and dismissing the insurers’ appeals. This means that many thousands of policyholders who have cover should now have their claims for coronavirus-related business interruption losses paid. Further details are available on the Business Wales website.
Extension of the Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme
The Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme has been extended for six months until 30 June 2021. The scheme ensures that trade credit insurance coverage and credit limits are maintained during the Covid-19 pandemic to help UK businesses trade with confidence. Read more on the Business Wales website.
Welsh Government Consultations
Please find below a few of the latest consultations. Consultation provides you with the opportunity to have your say on new developments from the Welsh Government.
Visit the consultation area on the Welsh Government website for more information.
Useful COVID-19 information
As each premises is different, businesses should read all guidance. This continues to be updated so please check back regularly for the latest information.
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 on the Tourism Industry Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bulletins page.
Business Wales is providing businesses with tailored support and advice about dealing with coronavirus, from financial and supply chain planning to advice on staffing issues. We would advise Tourism businesses and stakeholders in Wales wanting specific guidance to visit the Business Wales website or call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000, and to regularly visit the Public Health Wales website for up-to-date public health information for you, your staff and your visitors.
|
