Tourism tax plans get green light
The Senedd passed plans for a £1.30-a-night tourism tax in parts of Wales from 2027.
Senedd members voted 37-13 for the tourism tax bill which will see people charged £1.30 each, plus VAT, for stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation.
People staying in hostels and campsites would pay 75p per person per night, with under 18s exempt from the lower rate of the tax which would be introduced in 2027 at the earliest.
The tax would raise around £33m a year if implemented across the country but the 22 councils in Wales will be given powers to decide whether to introduce a levy locally.
Only two councils, Cardiff and Anglesey, – have so far indicated plans to bring in a levy but other authorities had yet to make a decision or had “no plans” to introduce a tax.
‘Thriving’
A register of visitor accommodation providers operating in Wales will also be established by the bill, laying the groundwork for licensing plans set to be brought forward separately.
Proponents argue the levy will ensure visitors contribute to the cost of services with revenue reinvested, while detractors warn the tax will put tourists off and damage Wales’ economy.
Tourism taxes are commonplace on the continent and, closer to home, Scottish councils will gain similar powers next year and Manchester introduced a visitor charge in 2023.
Leading a debate before the key vote on July 8, Mark Drakeford told the Senedd: “By passing this bill, we will give councils the choice to introduce a modest additional charge which would be reinvested to support a thriving, sustainable tourism industry.”
The finance secretary said the visitor levy will be the first local tax for more than 500 years to have been designed and made in Wales, marking an important step for devolution.
‘Dire straits’
Mr Drakeford said the Welsh Government wants to ensure the pressures and opportunities of tourism are fairly balanced, with visitors contributing to infrastructure and services.
The former first minister pointed to evidence “from Iceland to New Zealand” of the revenue generated contributing significantly to challenges without deterring tourism.
He argued the bill would strengthen communities and build democratic accountability, putting tourism in Wales on a new and sustainable footing.
But Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary, described the bill as “bad for Wales and bad for the Welsh tourism sector”.
Warning the economy is in dire straits, Mr Rowlands said the tourism tax will impact jobs and harm the economy as he pointed out that the industry itself was broadly opposed.
‘Out of touch’
The tourism tax bill was introduced as part of the Welsh Government’s now-collapsed co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru between 2021 and 2024.
Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, reiterated his party’s support, saying: “There is a genuine opportunity here for us to create a sustainable tourism sector that works with both our communities and businesses.”
Mr Fletcher added: “The very same arguments were happening when they were looking to introduce a tourism levy in Barcelona and in other places, so I do really believe we will look back at this as a positive step forward for our communities.”
Labour’s Jenny Rathbone criticised the Conservatives for “being completely out of touch”, with thousands visiting Cardiff for the Oasis concert and communities picking up the costs. She asked: “Why should poor people rather than visitors have to pay?”
Closing the debate, Prof Drakeford agreed, accusing the Tories of “catastrophising” a “modest measure” which he compared to less than the cost of a cup of coffee.
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Objecting to the Cymru tourism tax? What not choose Manchester or any of 24 countries around the world, any of which you choose will cost you much more money? It seems to be the money you pay out governs your decision so work this out. A seven night stay in Cymru will add £9.10 a head for the week to your holiday bill. You will spend much more money to go anywhere else SO is it simple maths or is it ‘how dare our colony charge US more to go there’? Ask yourself that and get the right answer before… Read more »
Why not I meant at the top.
The projected Visitor Levy for Wales is subject to VAT it appears whereas the Manchester City Visitor Charge is not. There must be a fundamental difference between the two ? Does the Wales visitor levy form a contract between the local authority and the visitor to provide some specific services rather than being a tax ? Any tax experts out there.
The Manchester rate is voluntary in the sense it is levied by 74 hotels. The charge is £1 with 20% VAT but on a bill I think the VAT is combined with the hotel cost and VAT payment so the bill shows as £1. I’m not certain about the VAT but I think that’s it. Then it only applies to city centre establishments not all of Manchester.
Thanks for clarifying that I looked again and yes some sites say it is subject to VAT while others say not. Looks like VAT for sure is collected in Manchester. As taxes are not normally subject to VAT I am still unsure what the Wales Visitor Levy actually is.
You can tax a tax because VAT is charged on fuel, alcohol and tobacco duty.
Thats very true. Forgot all about excise duty.
This ‘tourism tax’ on the whole strikes me as a wholly reasonable measure – all the more so given that the discretion is left to local authorities to decide, in the light of how they view their local circumstances, whether or not they feel that they should levy it.
“catastrophising” a “modest measure” – good description by Drakeford of the stance of those who oppose it. Knee jerk opposition is not a good look.
I have no objection to this tax but how can we be sure the money raised will be spent appropriately.
The real reason the Cons oppose this measure is that it could lead to a substantial investment in the visitor economy that results in Wales becoming a more desirable destination for high spending international visitors than England, and the Cons object in the strongest possible terms to Wales bettering England.