Wales Introduces £1.25 Per Night Tourism Tax

The Welsh Government has introduced a bill proposing a visitor levy that could charge tourists up to £1.25 per person per night, with a lower rate of 75p for those staying in hostels or campsites. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford emphasized that the funds raised, estimated at £33 million annually, would support local tourism infrastructure and services, aligning with global practices in places like Greece and Manchester. Critics, particularly from the Conservative Party and the Wales Tourism Alliance, argue that the tax is punitive and could deter visitors, potentially costing jobs in the tourism sector. They also express concern over the lack of commitment to using the funds for enhancing the visitor experience and the absence of a self-catering registration scheme. The earliest the levy could be enacted is 2027, pending local authority consultations. Despite the backlash, the Welsh Government maintains that the levy is a fair approach to supporting the sustainability of the tourism industry in Wales.