I doubt Simon Calder had a malign intent in recommending Wales as a tourist destination, but instead of taking one on the chin and acknowledging his misstep, he& #39;s come out with a defensive, entitled response then inflamed things further by shopping the reaction as news.

1/4

The story here, if any, ought to be that a respected travel journalist has gone on national television encouraging viewers to visit areas currently under lockdown that cannot accommodate tourists right now.

Instead, the narrative is "poor me, aren& #39;t Welsh people nasty".

2/4

Don& #39;t forget this is the same guy who at the start of the pandemic was doing the media rounds saying - completely unchallenged - what a fantastic time it is to be a tourist and recommending bargain deals to Venice at a time when northern Italy was Europe& #39;s Covid epicentre.

3/4

He cites 3 reactions as evidence of widespread abuse, but the majority of reactions were polite but firm. As the genteel voice of British tourism he& #39;s probably not used to having his views confronted.

In summary: he& #39;s been phoning it in for years and he& #39;s been found out.

4/4