Wales pushes ahead with tourism tax plans

Proposals for a law that could see some tourists paying a tax for staying overnight will begin their way through the Welsh Parliament this month.

Under the plans councils will be given the power to introduce a small “visitor levy” to raise money.

The law will include a registration scheme for accommodation providers, which the government says is needed to support the levy.

The Welsh Conservatives said a tourism tax “will risk jobs”.

A statement from Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford and Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans said the levy and registration bill will be introduced to the Senedd on 26 November.

“The levy will raise additional funds for local authorities to support the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry,” they said.

“Each local authority will be able to decide whether to introduce a visitor levy in its area, based on local circumstances.”

They said they had received feedback that a form of registration was needed to support the levy.

“This has informed our decision to include a national register of all those providing visitor accommodation in Wales within the Bill.”

They added that the registration scheme was a first step towards licensing, which they said was a “means of helping to establish a level playing field and to ensure visitors have confidence in the high standards available throughout Wales”.

Plans for a licensing scheme for accommodation providers, including all holiday homes, will be part of a separate bill.

It was previously reported that it would be introduced by the end of the year. The statement did not give a date, and on Tuesday the Welsh government said it would be within the Senedd term, which ends mid-2026.

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, said: “We’ve been absolutely clear from the start that this policy is the wrong one for Wales.

“A tourism tax will risk jobs at a time when businesses are being clobbered by Labour, it will impose red tape”, he said, adding: “Our tourism industry should be nurtured by the Welsh government, not hamstrung by new taxes.”