The positive impact that Bluestone National Park Resort near Narberth is making on the economy and tourism as a whole has been demonstrated to the Welsh Conservative Spokesperson for Culture, Tourism, and Sport and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire's MS.
Tom Giffard MS joined local MS Samuel Kurtz as they visited Bluestone to meet CEO William McNamara and some of the 800 employees who work at the resort.
The pair toured the main 500 acre resort, including the newly opened £24 million Platinum Lodge development, as well as Black Pool Mill, the new heritage dining destination at nearby Minwear Woods.
The politicians discussed Bluestone’s £30 million investment in facilities and work in meeting high environmental and sustainable standards to help protect and enhance the local area and community.
It’s estimated that Bluestone injects more than £1.5 million into the local economy each year, in addition to employment and a further £1 million in visitor spend.
The family-owned business has recently invested £3 million into building an 11-hectare solar farm as part of its pledge to minimise carbon emissions and achieve a net-zero status by the year 2040. The solar farm is expected to produce an annual output of 3.2 megawatts of electricity over a life span of up to 40 years.
“We’re very proud of our positive impact on the local economy, tourism industry and environment. I was pleased to meet Mr Kurtz and Mr Giffard and to demonstrate at first hand our facilities, employees and the overall investment,” said Mr McNamara.
They toured Black Pool Mill, which was recently opened following a £3 million investment. The heritage dining venue uses local and seasonal ingredients, producers, and suppliers wherever possible, again supporting the local and Wales-wide supply chain and economy.
Mr Giffard, commenting on the visit and resort, said: “As Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, it was absolutely brilliant to visit the Bluestone National Park Resort, which represents the very best that Wales has to offer.
“Bluestone is an absolutely crucial employer in the tourism and hospitality sector, which supports 1-in-7 jobs right across Wales. The park generates huge revenue for the local area, and its state-of-the-art facilities have helped put Wales on the map across the UK and internationally.
“However, my worry is that the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a Tourism Tax would discourage overnight visitors from staying at resorts such as Bluestone. I hope that Ministers will work with local operators to positively support Welsh tourism, and ensure that the sector can thrive for many years to come”.
Also commenting on the visit and resort, Mr Kurtz said: “The Bluestone National Park Resort is such an asset to Pembrokeshire and Wales as a whole. The resort’s outstanding multitude of facilities, economic investment and exceptional environmental pledges makes it a key contributor to the country, county, and local community.
"We must ensure we protect our local tourism industry through the promotion of sites such as Bluestone; a stellar example of an environmentally sustainable facility for so many to enjoy.
"Thank you to the team at Bluestone for such a fantastic visit and for your exceptional hospitality as always. I look forward to seeing the range of positive impacts which are sure to follow recent investments into both the on-site 11-acre solar farm and new Platinum Lodge development, in the near future.”
