Smart pack for Welsh tourism…
Smart pack for Welsh tourism…
THE 20 members of the Carmarthenshire Farm and Country Holiday group are mostly farmers wives offering good quality accommodation on farms, in country houses, self-catering cottages and a caravan park.
Fresh for 2001, the group has produced a colourful holiday pack to help prospective guests discover them and the attractions of Carmarthen-shire – but, in the light of foot-and-mouth, the potential of this to increase bookings has been curtailed.
"Carmarthenshire is clear at present but we are turning away bookings because we run a dairy farm," says Marian Griffiths, who lets one double and one family room at Glascoed, St Clears. "Three-quarters of our members are dairy or sheep farmers and the trouble is we dont know where guests might have just come from. We cant take the risk.
"However, members with country house accommodation that isnt farm based are still taking guests."
Mrs Griffiths joined the group, who are all Welsh Tourist Board graded, last year and says members work well together and have worked hard to market their accommodation. She finds it hard to put a figure on what they are losing. "I have just turned down one booking for 10 nights – that is £450 gone just like that. It is not just the money. We like having visitors and miss them, too."
Inquiries (01994-231260).