Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales Euro MP Jill Evans has called on the European Parliament to give a higher priority to tourism in economic development strategies, and to recognise its key role in providing employment.

Speaking in a meeting of the European Parliamentary Committee on Employment and Social Affairs the all-Wales MEP said,

"Tourism can be key in the regeneration of a whole community with positive knock on affects in businesses including small firms in the industrial and craft sectors, transport services, retail, leisure, training and agriculture among others."

"The industry provides 10% of all the jobs in Wales, mostly in small businesses, and it contributes £5million to the Welsh economy every day - half of which is generated in rural areas. Tourism deserves to be given stronger recognition for the enormous contribution it makes to the Welsh, British and European economy and employment market."

The leader of Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales in the European Parliament hopes that proposals being discussed by the committee will help improve the industry's role in terms of providing quality and skills, job security and involving all stakeholders in decision making:

"We must ensure that tourism isn't seen as the industry of cheap, seasonal and temporary employment and that there are opportunities to gain qualifications that will be recognised throughout the EU. For tourism to be a positive and successful experience for all involved it is essential that the industry and the local community are included as fully as possible in the decision making and shaping of policies relating to tourism."

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