MS calls for councils not to impose 'toxic' tourist tax

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is urging local authorities not to introduce the controversial visitor levy in North Wales.

Earlier this month the Senedd passed a new law allowing councils to tax visitors £1.30-a-night plus VAT, for stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation from 2027.

People staying in hostels and campsites would pay 75p per person per night, with under-18s exempt from the lower rate of the tax.

The Welsh Government will allow local authorities to make their own decisions on whether to levy the additional charge for overnight stays in visitor accommodation.

Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism and a constant critic of the plan said:

“I really couldn’t believe it when this toxic tax was passed earlier this month as in this current climate the last thing we should be doing is discouraging people from visiting North Wales.

“One of the biggest employers in my region is the tourism sector, which supports around 46,000 jobs and in normal times generates over £3.5 billion annually to the local economy. We should be supporting our hospitality industry not hindering its growth.

“I have met with many hospitality businesses owners, particularly in North-East Wales and people are extremely worried about the introduction of this tax and how it will impact them.

“Tourism groups and businesses across Wales have all expressed their very real concerns but unfortunately their words fell on deaf ears.

“The Wales Tourism Alliance has said these plans would make the industry less competitive and make Wales seem more expensive.

“I really don’t think it is worth all the upheaval, bad feeling and work, to charge people a fee which will vary from 80p to £1.30 a night.

“I understand that Wrexham County Borough Council has already said it will not introduce the visitor levy and I would urge other local authorities in North Wales to do the same.

“Given the opportunity, the Welsh Conservatives will axe the toxic Tourism Tax before it comes into force.”