Welsh Government has responded to a plea from its own tourism taskforce to accelerate the opening of the hospitality sector - saying it will continue with its "careful step-by-step" approach to reopening the economy.

Under the current roadmap for Wales outdoor hospitality and tourism will reopen on April 26 - with indoor hospitality earmarked for the end of May and no date for indoor tourism attractions.

The dates are around two weeks behind the current schedule in England despite Wales having lower coronavirus infection rates and higher rates of vaccination thanks to the success of the rollout.

The industry members of the Covid-19 Tourism Taskforce set up by Welsh Government wrote to First Minister Mark Drakeford - calling for him to bring forward the reopening of indoor hospitality and the wider tourism sector.

They asked for Mr Drakeford to use the planned April 22 review to fast track indoor hospitality and tourism reopening to May 17 to match England, or even earlier if possible.

The letter said: "We believe your delivery of both to date now shows conditions are right to make a clear and positive statement and bring forward the much needed reopening of tourism and hospitality businesses in Wales."

In response a Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have worked closely with the taskforce and as they will be aware we have set out a series of measures to relax restrictions through April and May, subject to public health conditions being favourable.

"We continue to take a careful step-by-step approach as part of the established three week review process with the next review on April 22nd.

“We have made unprecedented levels of funding available to support Welsh businesses during these incredibly challenging times, with a full 12 month rates holiday package until March 2022 for those in the hardest hit sectors. To date we have provided more than £2bn in business support during the pandemic, safeguarding 165,000 Welsh jobs.

“A £30m sector specific fund announced on March 3rd provided targeted support for small, medium and large businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors with 10 or more staff in order to help cover their costs.

"This was part of a combined £180m support package for businesses affected by extended restrictions. The broader £150m was not dependent on staff numbers and included increased funding for the smallest micro businesses.”

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