Whilst business support for tourism has been devolved to the Welsh Government since 1999, the general election in eight days time still gives us the opportunity to assess the level of importance attached by each of the parties to the industry.
Indeed, many would argue that it has become largely a forgotten industry when it comes to government economic policy over the last two decades, certainly as compared to interventions for sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing and the creative industries.
Yet tourism could contribute so much more to the development of the UK economy if it was properly supported. Given this, what have the main political parties promised the industry if they gain power next week?
As the British Hospitality Association point out, perhaps the biggest disappointment is to be found in Labour’s manifesto.
Given that the Welsh Labour Government has been highly supportive of the industry during the last four years, it is somewhat disappointing that there is almost no mention of what the UK Labour Party will do to support tourism if it wins in just over a week's time. Indeed, one would have expected some policy focus on tourism given that it is looking to take seats from the other parties in a number of coastal constituencies in Wales.
In contrast, two of the parties have promised that tourism will have a greater priority within Government if elected. UKIP has called for the creation of a dedicated Minister of State for Heritage and Tourism that would be based within the Cabinet office, whilst the Liberal Democrats will give tourism a higher status within the Department for Culture Media and Sport.
And in keeping with their overall policy approach, the Green Party wants to introduce a certification scheme that rewards ecotourism and makes Wales a world leader in such standards.
Not surprisingly given their business friendly policies, the Welsh Conservatives are the only party to specifically highlight the value of the tourism industry to the UK economy in their manifesto. To support its future, they have promised improvements such as greater investment in the transport infrastructure in the UK (including the electrification of the North Wales railway line) and a greater focus on recruiting more apprentices in the industry.
In order to attract the number of international tourists to Wales, they will continue to support UK government initiatives like the GREAT campaign to market Wales to overseas visitors. They will also speed up the visa process, which could result in more tourists arriving from fast growing countries such as China.
Unfortunately, many in the industry remain disappointed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is currently unpersuaded of the case to reduce VAT on tourism. Although given the fact that a growing number of Conservative MPs such as Guto Bebb in Aberconwy have supported action to cut this tax from 20 per cent to 5 per cent, that may change after the election.
A similar view is taken by the Liberal Democrats within the UK Coalition Government and despite also having individual MPs backing a reduction in VAT for tourism businesses, their manifesto does not mention a potential change to this policy within their manifesto.
In contrast, both Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have said that in order to make destinations in the UK more attractive, they would support a change in VAT. The SNP has also stated that they would also examine this issue in order for tourism firms in the UK to have a level playing field with the rest of Europe.
Therefore, it would seem that each of the parties have different views on the relevance of tourism within their manifestos. However, given its growing importance of tourism across many parts of the UK, it should not be ignored by politicians, especially here in Wales, as we approach what could be one the most important elections in modern times.