In 2022/23 it is estimated that the Welsh holiday park and campsite sector generated a gross direct visitor expenditure impact of £1.66bn in the economy. This visitor expenditure supports 30,726 FTE jobs and contributes £945.9m (including multipliers) of GVA to the economy. 1.2 The aim of the evaluation was to review four tourism schemes delivered under the Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme (RC-RDP) 2014-2020 and provide an independent assessment of both scheme implementation and delivery, including the outcomes and impact of the schemes. Landowners, camping groups and farmers have appealed for the same rules as in England to help boost the tourism economy. Now Welsh Government have put forward their planned changes to the. Wales is widely regarded as one of the greenest regions in the UK, boasting three vast National Parks and a world-leading recycling infrastructure. However, the sheer volume of visitors heading to rural Welsh hotspots places immense pressure on local communities, wildlife, and ancient landscapes. Pitchup.com, a campsite booking website, has been advocating for the extension of permitted development rules for pop-up campsites in Wales. Dan Yates, the founder of Pitchup.com, criticizes the Welsh situation as “appalling,” highlighting its adverse impacts on individuals and families. Imagine soaking in a private hot tub under a starry Welsh sky after a day of hiking, cycling or exploring local trails — that’s the appeal that’s driving the rise of luxury glamping in Wales. One of the oldest campsites in Wales has confirmed that from September it will become an ‘adults only’ caravan site. The move comes as wardens at the site have said that “though more than willing to comply with the collection of a tourism tax for the Welsh government when it becomes law in 2027”, they are “not prepared to ask caravanners to pay a tourism tax if they have ‘babies. With its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and hospitality, Wales attracts millions of visitors annually. However, a wave of new policy changes and planning restrictions is now threatening the viability of this vital industry. First published on 16 May 2025. The Welsh holiday park and campsite sector makes a substantial contribution to the Welsh tourism economy, generating £1.33bn in visitor expenditure, equivalent to £761.4m GVA and supporting 24,677 FTE jobs. The Welsh holiday park and campsite sector accounted for 15% of the tourism sector’s GVA. We urge the UK Government and the Welsh Government to bring forward proposals to address these issues, focussing on the potential positive impact on tourism of resolving this infrastructural deficit.