Tourism businesses in Wales are asking for more support to ensure that they do not have to choose between sustainability and profit. John Whitehead, who has run an eco lodge in Snowdonia for over 25 years, said that the industry needs help to address climate change. While Wales was recently named one of the world’s most sustainable destinations to visit by Lonely Planet, Whitehead warns that the costs of becoming more eco-friendly mean that “sometimes businesses won’t accept that, they’ll just look for a quicker return”. A recent YouGov poll revealed that 53% of people globally wish to travel more sustainably.
Nia Jones, co-chairwoman of the Anglesey Tourism Association, stated that she has noticed a “noticeable growth in the demand for sustainable stays in Wales”. Linda Osti, a senior lecturer in tourism management at Bangor University, believes that Wales’ tourism sector still has more to do to establish itself as a genuinely sustainable destination: “We normally think about the Nordic countries…when we think about who are doing well on sustainable tourism,” she said. “Sustainable tourism is more than just looking after the environment, it’s about supporting the communities and economy at the heart of it. If Wales can get it right the benefits could be great.”
According to Sarah Jayne, a sustainable travel influencer from Flintshire, there are “vast pockets…unexplored” in Wales which can help in this regard. Rather than popular spots such as Snowdon and Llanddwyn, she suggests visiting places such as the Clwydian Range, which is less a tourist attraction and more a protected landscape area. The Welsh government has announced that it is supporting tourism businesses through Sustainable Tourism Wales, as well as providing a £20m future proofing fund to help make businesses more sustainable
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