An MP has offered a welcome to the news that tourism businesses are to begin reopening their doors across the border following the coronavirus outbreak.

Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, said he welcomed the news that restrictions on hospitality and tourism businesses in Wales are being eased this week.

Bookings can be made for stays after July 11, meaning businesses affected can now start to welcome visitors once again.

The moves have been made at people’s own risk, and they should check with the accommodation provider before they book.

This includes any accommodation that is entirely self-contained, such as holiday cottages, holiday caravans including touring caravans, motorhomes, boats and some glamping accommodation with their own kitchens and bathrooms that no other guests use.

The proposed guidance also allows hotels and other types of serviced accommodation – including bed and breakfasts and hostels – that do provide en-suite rooms and can provide room service meals to re-open.

Caravan parks where accommodation is entirely self-contained may be allowed to re-open – but shared facilities on the premises will remain closed, such as swimming pools, leisure facilities, shared shower and toilets blocks, shared laundry, etc, and public areas in other accommodation types. This means any caravan or touring site where individual accommodation has its own supply of water for on board shower, WC and cooking with strict application of guidance on shared waste disposal and water points.

Simon Baynes MP, who is a Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, said: “Tourism and hospitality businesses are the lifeblood of many of our local economies in rural Wales, contributing around £509 million a year in Denbighshire alone.

“Many people locally are hugely reliant on the industry for income and jobs.

“Many Clwyd South businesses will have had a really hard time over the past few months.

“So it’s right that as cases remain low, we look towards safely opening up to visitors to get our economy going again, providing the warm welcome our hospitality business are known for.”