Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy yesterday spoke following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance announcing the beginning of the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill.
In his opening statement Mark Drakeford MS announced that a £1.25 per night tourism tax should be introduced in Wales from 2027. If councils choose to implement it, guests staying in hotels, B&Bs, and self-catered accommodations would be required to pay a visitor levy. For hostels and campsites, a reduced rate of 75p would apply.
According to the Welsh Government, the funds generated would support services in popular tourism areas. However, it could discourage visitors.
The levy would be charged per person, per night, including children. Councils could also charge more in future if they go through a consultation process and give 12 months' notice.
Commenting on the statement Janet said:
“I am deeply saddened by the news that the Welsh Government plan to proceed with yet another tax and measure to stifle tourism in Wales.
“Our tourism industry is crucial to Wales’s economic growth, accounting for £3.4 billion annually and it will put at risk jobs in the sector, which employs 159,000 people - nearly 12% of Wales' workforce.
“A survey by the Wales Tourism Alliance revealed that 70% of visitors might choose to holiday elsewhere if a tourism tax is introduced.
“Furthermore, this tax will likely encourage tourists to opt for day visits to avoid the charge. The fact of the matter is that overnight visitors contribute the most to local businesses through evening meals, drinks, and paying for accommodation, providing vital support to the local economy.
“Aberconwy depends on tourism in a way many fail to grasp. It is our lifeblood, and this tax threatens to disrupt that vital flow.”
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