Ceredigion’s AM Elin Jones has visited a local holiday park to hear about the contribution caravan park operators make to the local economy, and discuss proposed new legislation which risks placing unnecessary burdens on businesses.

The AM visited Cenarth Falls Holiday Park in the Teifi valley and met with its owners. Elin Jones toured the five-star park with its manager Darren Davies and his parents Howell and Yvonne who first started welcoming guests 25 years ago when they acquired the business. Since then, the couple - who also own a nearby holiday cottage complex at Penwern Fach - have invested much time and energy into creating a beautifully landscaped environment for guests.

Elin Jones heard that according to Visit Wales figures, visitors to the park make an annual contribution of over one million pounds to the regional tourism economy. Almost all of the money, said Howell Davies, is spent locally in enterprises such as shops, cafes, and visitor attractions, supporting the businesses and the jobs they provide.

Elin Jones, local Plaid Cymru AM for Ceredigion, said:

“I enjoyed seeing how the Davies family have developed their business at Cenarth Falls over recent years. I heard from them how the park contributes to the local economy, and how visitors enjoy all that the area has to offer, such as fishing, outstanding walking at the coastal path and inland, and historic sites – which will be added to very soon when the huge investment in Cardigan Castle is completed. The facilities are excellent, and I look forward to seeing Cenarth Falls go from strength to strength.

“We also discussed the Holiday Caravan Park Bill, which is being introduced into the National Assembly as a Private Members’ Bill by a Conservative AM from north Wales. Their view echoed other representations I have received from park operators in Ceredigion.

“The Bill means tries to address the issue of people living in holiday parks permanently when the park licenses don’t permit it. But this is far less of a problem in Ceredigion. As the legislation stands, I have concerns about the possibility of putting an extra burden on park operators, and have raised this issue in the Assembly.”