THE announcement that the tourism sector in Wales could start re-opening was met with excitement throughout Denbighshire.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced last week that the stay-local rule would be lifted on Saturday, March 27.

The rules were also changed to enable organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under-18s to take place, and up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors.

The relaxations continue the Welsh Government’s planned, step-by-step approach to easing the coronavirus restrictions, taking account of the highly-infectious Kent variant, which is now the dominant form of the virus in Wales.

It means self-contained holiday accommodation, including hotels with en-suite facilities and room service, have also been able to reopen to people from the same household or support bubble.

The stay local rule has been replaced by an interim all-Wales travel area, which will remain in place until April 12, subject to the public health situation.

Only those with a reasonable excuse, such as work, are able to travel into or out of Wales.

The news has been met with great anticipation and excitement by those involved in the sector in Denbighshire.

One of those is the Clwydian Range Tourism Group - an association of mostly small, rural tourism businesses in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Jeff Morgan, chairman of the group said: “Our tourism businesses have their safety protocols in place and are enthusiastic and keen to re-open their businesses to the public.

“As a group, we are also keen to welcome visitors back to North East Wales, and would ask that they consider some of the lesser trodden highways and byways of our beautiful area, in order to avoid some of the saturation we saw last year in key tourist spots.”

Corwen Town Councillor Lisa Davies, who says she has a ‘special interest’ in tourism, also welcomed the announcement, saying: “The residents and businesses of Corwen are delighted that Wales is opening up to tourists again. This beautiful area we call home is rich in history and culture. We were just dipping our toes into the world of tourism when the world was locked down. It will be wonderful to welcome visitors again.”

Over in Bala, Sioned Williams, who runs a host of caravan and holiday parks in the area, including Pen-Y-Garth lodges, said: “I was genuinely surprised by the announcement as it seemed to come around quicker than expected but of course it’s very positive news for ourselves and many others throughout Wales.

“I think we’re going to be welcoming, after April 12, different types of visitors than we are used to here. Those who would usually go abroad might not given the pandemic and will instead turn towards the likes of ourselves in Bala.

“With that in mind, we are very much looking forward to welcoming those visitors here but do also ask people to be aware of where we are situated by, for example, keeping dogs on leads or closing gates behind them.

“Attitudes towards tourists in the region have certainly changed I think in recent times - especially with the likes of Croeso Cymru (Visit Wales) promoting Welsh tourism so well and in turn more people are visiting.

“We are taking every precaution to ensure that we can re-open in the safest way possible and are excited to get back to a bit of normality.”

But Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies said: “It is difficult not to welcome with open arms every step back towards normality. However, the reality is that the local overnight tourist sector will have little to gain while it is only open to those from Wales.

For an area that normally relies on thousands of day-trippers, this further divisive approach imposed by the Welsh Government will inflict unnecessary harm on already hard-hit businesses. They will miss out on their usual level of Easter trade for a second year.

“I am also concerned that while outdoor hospitality will recommence in England on 12th April, we still have no date for the same to apply in Wales. Again, businesses in Denbighshire stand to lose out to competitors 30 miles east.”

Welsh Ministers will consider further alert level three measures in the next review of the regulations.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.

“We’re only able to do this because of the sacrifices everyone across Wales has made over the last few months – everything you are doing to keep your loved ones safe is also keeping Wales safe.

“The public health position remains stable; our incredible vaccination programme goes from strength to strength – we have headroom to make these changes.”

He added: “We are taking a step-by step approach to relaxing restrictions and want to carry on being able to open up Wales.

“To do that we need everyone’s help. That means staying vigilant for signs of infection; isolating if we have symptoms and arranging to get tested.

“It also means following the basic steps to keep us all safe while we’re out and about – keeping our distance from others; not mixing indoors; avoiding crowds; washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings.”

The next review of the regulations will take place on Thursday, April 1.