The changes made by Powys County Council to tourism arrangements has left holiday makers arriving in parts of Mid Wales without the support and service they need to access information or book hotel rooms, restaurants or taxis.

Powys County Council undertook a massive review of tourism services across the region last year and a report was created, which recommended the closure of many of the county's Tourist Information Centres (TICs), in order to concentrate efforts more on different approaches like internet-based services.

Other proposals recommended in the report, which councillors voted to approve, included the creation of community-based 'franchise' TICs, whereby the council would hand the running of the centres over to volunteers in the community, cutting down on costs significantly but also reducing the services available.

TICs in Newtown and Llanidloes were closed down and replaced with Customer Service Points (CSPs) offering access to a full range of council services, for example payment of council tax, and a reduced tourist information service.

The council report estimated that around 4.2 million visitors come to Mid Wales each year, bringing roughly £230 million into the local economy.

The chosen plan from last year's recommendations, despite involving the closure of TICs and a change in the services on offer, actually warranted a £250,000 increase in spending, which they estimated would bring in a further £2.2 million and create 96 new jobs.

With certain TICs having more services on offer than others, situations are arising where business is being diverted away from towns and into neighbouring ones.

For example, with tourism services in Llandrindod Wells being so heavily reduced, visitors to the town are being told to go to Builth to access services. This creates a situation where hotels, restaurants and B&Bs in Builth reap the rewards of having a full tourism service by taking custom away from Llandrindod Wells.

This has prompted communities to look at other avenues to boost services in the town.

Llandrindod Wells Town Council is looking into ways for a Tourist Information Service to return to the Old Town Hall.

Councillor Sheila Richards told a recent town council meeting that there is 'no tourist information service in the town', and that a number of guest houses in the town will close if nothing is done.

Councillor Gary Price said: "The tourist information facilities at the Gwalia are a shambles and in my opinion they do not even deserve to have the information logo in the window. However we must ensure that there is a long term commitment at the Old Town Hall and some certainty as to how the information centre would be staffed."

Rhayader Town Council has also been proactive, it has funded the installation of a touchscreen tourist information point in the town.

David Higman from the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells was awarded an MBE for services to tourism, he thinks the internet does have a place in tourism service delivery, but it also has its limitations: "It's obvious that people look on the internet before they travel, it is a fantastic source of information, but what about when people arrive at their destination?

"A tourist's first port of call traditionally is a TIC, so they can find information on where to stay and what to do.

"The internet isn't much use to them when they physically arrive the town."

When asked about how the new plans were working out, Councillor Wynne Jones, Board Member for Regeneration and Development, said: "We are still developing services and it is too early evaluate performance.
"We will continue to monitor and develop the effectiveness of the service."

* What do you think? Is your business suffering because of the lack of information for tourists? Have you visited the area and found information hard to come by. Register and comment below, or write to County Times, 11c Broad Street, Welshpool, SY21 7LE