MP Craig Williams and MS Russell George said they were impressed by investment projects in mid Wales at a recent meeting at Lake Vyrnwy.

Multi-million pound investment projects, the ongoing staff recruitment crisis, a proposed tourism tax, planning decision delays and opportunities to bid for government funding topped the agenda when Mid Wales tourism businesses met with the two politicians.

The MP and MS for Montgomeryshire both said they were impressed by the investment plans from the tourism and hospitality industry in a meeting at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel.

The meeting was organised by Mid Wales Tourism Cymru, which represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.

Mr Williams said: “I was hugely impressed to hear about the investment planned by the businesses and to discuss how we can support these great opportunities for tourism in Mid Wales.

“I believe the Shared Prosperity Fund, Levelling Up Fund and the Mid Wales Growth Deal represent a game changing opportunity to put Mid Wales on the map.”

A dozen invited businesses spoke about restriction to services caused by a staff shortage, the impact of the Welsh Government’s proposed tourism tax, competition from unregistered Airbnb accommodation and concerns about poor broadband and electricity services.

Mr George added: “The clear message from the meeting is that the proposed tourism tax is going to be hugely detrimental to the tourism industry and that issues surrounding recruitment in the hospitality industry remain a serious concern.

“What is very positive is that we have been able to have our first face to face meeting for three years with Mid Wales Tourism Cymru members.”

During the meeting, Mr Williams addressed concerns of broadband, saying that the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network programme aimed to boost broadband speeds and mobile signals across Montgomeryshire.

MWT Cymru’s chief executive, Val Hawkins, said: “It was fantastic to hear our member business speak about their exciting investment projects which augurs well for the future of tourism in Mid Wales.

“However, there are storm clouds looming with the rise in the cost of living, the Welsh Government’s proposed taxes on the tourism industry and ongoing issues surrounding staff recruitment, broadband speed, electricity supplies and delays in decisions on planning applications in Powys.”