First Minister says he will explore the introduction of a tourism tax in Wales
The First Minister has said that he will explore the introduction of a tourism tax in Wales.
Speaking in the Senedd this afternoon, he said that “a tourism tax, properly done, will benefit the industry because what it will allow those local authorities to do is to invest in the things that make those areas attractive to tourists in the first place”.
He added that he looked forward to bringing forward proposals for debate in the Senedd on a tourism tax.
He added that it was “an idea […] that has taken root, and very successfully, right across the globe, and has been put forward by a series of local authorities of very different political persuasions in recent times”.
He said that “at the moment it is those local resident populations who pay for everything. They pay for the toilets, they pay for the car parks, they pay for the local museum, they pay for the local festival—anything that is put there to attract people into the area, it is those local residents who bear the cost in full.
“A tourism levy, charged on people who choose to go to those areas, in a very modest way, when you add it all up, could be a significant opportunity for local authorities to invest in the conditions that make tourism a success.”
‘Damage’
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said that he was opposed to a tourism tax and that “families, workers and businesses across Wales need support, not more taxes”.
“Labour’s plans to introduce a tourism tax and a potential income tax rise will be devastating for hardworking Welsh people,” he said.
“Tourism is a major employer in Wales, creating hundreds of thousands of much-needed jobs, and a tax on holiday-makers would damage local economies and cost livelihoods.
“Instead of economic recovery, Labour seem intent on clobbering Wales with a menu of tax rises at a time when they should be doing everything they can to keep money in people’s pockets.
“The priority for ministers should be to ensure the tax burden in Wales is kept as low as possible to encourage economic growth, and help families, workers and businesses get on the road to recovery.”
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I often go to Rome (not this year or last, of course) and they have a tourist tax of 2 Euros a night. I don’t object to paying it as it is a contribution to that wonderful city that I enjoy visiting. I’m sure people who love visiting Wales would not object to contributing to our lovely country and if it means they have better facilities all’s the better. Syniad da iawn.
Tourism tax is long overdue.
The Tory bloke isn’t very bright is he. The tax would not be paid by Welsh families “hardworking” or otherwise. It’s paid by tourists. The clue is in the name: “tourism tax”.
“Hardworking” by the way is the Tory update on the 19thC “deserving poor”. Tories don’t change. Unless you slave for them you’re not real people. (The disabled, chilcarers, eldercarers, unemployed, retired …)
Exploring a lot, talking a lot. When and if Labour gain power in Westminster we’ll be forgotten and any aspiration to move our nation forward will disappear quicker than you can say “Birthday Honours List”.
The downside of tourism is now becoming apparent to other countries across Europe. Amsterdam is about to place severe restrictions, and even bans, to prevent the city from being trashed this summer, with locals left to clean up the mess. Wales needs to understand that, despite its over-reliance on a tourist economy, the country isn’t just here for other people’s benefit.