Wales could see tourism tax by 2027

Local TV

Visitors to Wales could soon be charged with a ‘tourism tax’ or ‘visitor levy’ as the Welsh government are calling it. It ranged between 75p and £1.30 per night, and has sparked controversy with some saying it will put people off holidaying in Wales.

Transcript

00:00We see it all the time on the continent in holiday hotspots like Spain and Italy, but

00:07now Wales could follow suit and charge a tourism tax for holidaymakers coming to the country.

00:13The Welsh Government are calling it a visitor levy, which ranged from 75 pence per night

00:18up to £1.30 depending on your type of lodging.

00:21It's been discussed at length in the Senedd for some time, but on Tuesday evening, with

00:26Labour and Plaid Cymru's support, Senedd members voted in favour of the new law, which

00:30could come into effect by 2027 at the earliest.

00:34It's not a blanket ruling, and local authorities are now given the powers to choose whether

00:39or not to implement the tax, so areas with a higher amount of tourists, who largely rely

00:43on the industry, have some big decisions to make moving forward.

00:49Some councils, like Cardiff and Anglesey, have already expressed interest in implementing

00:53the ruling, while some have been quick to rule out imposing the charge.

00:58The Welsh Government have argued it could add more than £30 million to local economies,

01:04while those against the law, like the Welsh Conservatives, have said it could put people,

01:08especially budget travellers or families, off visiting certain parts of the country for

01:12their holidays.

01:15The levy will be subject to VAT, but visitors aged under 18 will be exempt from the charges.

01:21The £0.75 per night charge will be for visitors to campsites and hostels, while hotels and holiday

01:27lets would face the higher £1.30 charge.

01:31It's already caused controversy and will likely remain a talking point up to and beyond its

01:35eventual implementation, but its effect on tourism in Wales is yet to be seen.

01:40My name is Pete Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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