WE'RE lucky to have some incredible nature and history on our doorstep in this part of the world.

From stunning Severnside and the foothills of the Beacons, to our rich industrial heritage and some incredible castles, there is so much for us to see and do across Gwent.

But how would you attract more visitors from further afield and turn Wales into a truly global tourist destination?

Now you have the chance to share your ideas with decision-makers and help promote Wales to the world.

A cross-party group of MPs is inviting members of the public to contribute to a new inquiry, looking at turning Wales into an international destination for holiday-makers.

Tourism is devolved to the Welsh Government, but the MPs want to find out how other policy areas can have a positive impact on the sector.

The inquiry comes as Welsh tourism looks to recover from the pandemic. While it wasn't all bad news – many British people decided to holiday at home rather than risk a trip abroad in 2020 and 2021 – generally the sector suffered long periods of uncertainty and instability, forcing many people to make permanent changes to the way they run their businesses.

Additionally, many overseas visitors were kept away, hitting the sector hard financially.

"The coronavirus crisis cost the Welsh tourism sector around £6 billion in 2020, but even pre-pandemic Wales has punched below its weight in attracting visitors from around the world," said Stephen Crabb, the chairman of the Welsh Affairs Committee of MPs.

"With the UK Government charting a course towards recovery for every nation in the union, it is vitally important that we look at how to invigorate the Welsh visitor economy. Through this inquiry, we hope to establish how to support Wales to become the global tourist destination it deserves to be.”

How to take part

The committee is inviting people to submit written evidence responding to a series of questions about Welsh tourism. They are:

• How attractive is Wales as a holiday destination for international tourists?

• Why is the number of international visitors to Wales comparatively low as a share of the UK total?

• Does Wales have a sufficiently strong “brand” internationally and what more could be done to promote Wales as a holiday destination abroad?

• How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the tourism industry in Wales?

• What will be the impact of a return to the 20% rate of VAT from April 2022 for the tourism industry in Wales?

• What would be the potential implications for Wales’ attractiveness to international visitors of a tourism levy?

• What steps are needed post-pandemic for the tourism sector in Wales to recover and grow its international appeal?

• How can the UK and Welsh Governments and bodies like VisitBritain and Visit Wales better work together to make Wales a more attractive destination for international visitors?

• Has the UK Government’s tourism Sector Deal achieved its aims of making Wales more accessible and improving conditions for domestic and international visitors?

• What infrastructure and transport reforms are needed to make it easier for international tourists to reach Welsh destinations and attractions?

• How can Wales increase its share of international tourism while meeting the UK and Welsh Governments’ respective decarbonisation commitments?

If you would like to take part in the inquiry, you can submit your evidence online at committees.parliament.uk/work/6476/wales-as-a-global-tourist-destination/

The closing date for submissions is Thursday, March 31.