Tourism tax is “wrong for Wales”
The Conservative said that the Labour-mooted tax imposes more red tape on businesses and believes it will backfire on an industry it is designed to support.The Welsh Government say the money generated from the £1.25 per person per night tax will be invested in supporting local tourism activity and infrastructure.
The bill, introduced by the Welsh finance secretary Mark Drakeford, gives local authorities the option to introduce a levy of 75p per person per night to stay in hostels or on campsite pitches, and £1.25 for any other accommodation, generating around £33 million a year.
The earliest the bill may be fully enacted is 2027, the government said, after local authorities consult their communities.
But Mr George wants it kicked out and said: “This tax is the wrong one for Wales and the wrong one for our tourism industry.
“Not only will it impose huge amounts of red tape on small businesses and add significant costs to family holidays, but it will also work against its own aims by driving visitors to using more council-maintained facilities.
“Here in Mid Wales, our local businesses will feel the hit more than most.
“Rather than imposing additional costs on visitors, we should focus on attracting more people to discover what Mid Wales has to offer, boosting investment in the region and supporting local jobs.
“This tax could have unintended consequences, putting livelihoods and the future of our tourism industry at risk.”
Greece, Germany, Spain and Portugal are among the countries who already have a tourism levy, while Manchester became the first UK city to introduce it with tourists charged £1 per night per room.
Edinburgh will bring in a similar arrangement in by the summer of 2026.
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