The Labour-led government has launched a consultation on the proposal which could see almost all visitors – including Welsh people staying away from home – taxed on their stay. He argues that the idea is to raise money that local authorities can reinvest to improve tourist spots and create a sense of “shared responsibility” between residents and visitors. The proposals have been heavily criticized by many tourism businesses who are concerned that a levy could make Wales look less welcoming, especially as the consultation comes at a time of a cost of living crisis. Suzy Davies, the chair of the Welsh Tourism Alliance, branded it a “misguided and damaging bed tax”. He added: “Visitor numbers have not recovered from the pandemic. The Welsh Government has not asked for higher parking charges for day visitors or entry fees to vulnerable landscapes: it has gone for the resident visitor.’ The government says dozens of places around the world charge a levy, but Davies said: “Wales is not like destinations that already charge tourist tax. They enjoy other targeted tax breaks for tourism and hospitality, which mitigate the impact on their businesses. Also, unlike many other countries, current plans will see all taxation disappear into local authority coffers with no guarantee of additional local spending.” Rowland Rees-Evans, manager of a holiday park near Aberystwyth, said he could understand why places like Venice might introduce taxes as a way of limiting visitor numbers. “But we want to expand and grow. The industry is very cautious and worried.” The Conservatives in Wales branded it a “tourist tax” and estimated it could cost families an extra £75 for a six-night stay and put jobs at risk. The introduction of a visitor levy is a program for government engagement, the work being carried out with Plaid Cymru as part of a partnership agreement between the two parties. Each local authority in Wales will have the power to decide whether they want to introduce the levy and the government has said the money raised will be reinvested in supporting local tourism – for example, keeping beaches clean or improving footpaths. Rebecca Evans, Welsh Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Our intention is to create a sense of shared responsibility between residents and visitors. By asking visitors – whether they’ve traveled from Wales or further afield – to make a small contribution to preserving and improving the place they visit, we’ll be encouraging a more sustainable approach to tourism.” The minister said Wales was not aiming to introduce a fee as a way of limiting visitor numbers, as Venice does, but to encourage more people to make places more attractive – the model she said Mallorca was following. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. It has not been decided whether to charge per guest, per room or as a percentage of the total cost of the stay – and whether young people will be charged. The size of the levy is one of the matters to be discussed, but it is believed that it may be set at a few pounds. There would be exceptions – for example, hostels for the homeless, victims of domestic violence, accommodation for refugees and people living on Gypsy and Traveler sites. The government has said it could be years before a tax is introduced, but Evans said Wales could become the first UK nation to introduce such a system. “I don’t think we’ll be the last,” he added. Plaid Cymru Senedd member Cefin Campbell said: “At the moment the burden of providing an infrastructure service falls mainly on local taxpayers. We consider as a matter of principle that the burden should be widened to include those who come as visitors.”
