Overnight visitors in Wales may have to pay to stay under tourist tax proposals put to parliament later this month. The “small” but unspecified visitor levy would be paid by people staying overnight in accommodation in Wales to raise funds that support the “long-term sustainability” of the tourism industry. One Bill would give local authorities control over a visitor levy, while the other intends to regulate visitor accommodation by creating a national register.
A joint statement from finance secretary Mark Drakeford and economy secretary Rebecca Evans said the visitor levy and accommodation Bills will be introduced to the Senedd on 25 November. “This Bill proposes giving local authorities the power to introduce a visitor levy, which will be a small charge paid by people staying overnight in visitor accommodation. The levy will raise additional funds for local authorities to support the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry,” it said.
They added: “Each local authority will be able to decide whether to introduce a visitor levy in its area, based on local circumstances.” First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan announced the two Bills in July’s legislative statement to “support tourism and local communities”. The visitor accommodation registration scheme is the “first step” towards a previously consulted statutory licensing scheme, including holiday homes in Wales, the statement said.
Rebecca Evans said: “These proposals are about preparing f.
