Wales introduces the new tourist tax for visitors
passed a law that wherever a visitor stays, they
need to pay an extra £1.30. Researchers say that this could rise up to £33 million
in a year. This makes businesses worried that the charge would make some
visitors not come.
How it works
Starting in 2027, visitors would need to pay to stay in a hostel, campsite, hotel, or B&B in Wales. You need to pay an extra £0.75 if you’re staying at a hostel or a
campsite, but you need to pay an extra £1.30 if you’re staying at hotels and B&Bs. Children under 18 won’t pay the extra. This tax is meant to help keep areas in
Wales clean.
Other responses
Wales’ finance secretary, Mark Drakeford, said that making this tax is a good idea. He said, “We believe it is reasonable for visitors to contribute towards infrastructure and services integral to their experience, as they do in so many other parts of the world.” He also explained that it was the first local tax for more than 500 years in Wales. However, many people think that this idea is stupid and wrong. Sam
Rowlands MS, from the party, said “We believe it is bad for Wales and bad for the Welsh tourism sector which forms such an important part of the Welsh
economy.” Sam Rowlands also said, “The levy would impact jobs and the economy by the Welsh government’s own admission.”