Parts of Wales Set to Introduce New ‘Tourist Tax’ for Visitors
Tourists staying overnight in the majority of accommodations in Wales may have to pay a new ‘tourist tax’, which would be introduced in 2027 at the earliest. Local councils will have the discretion to decide whether or not to implement the tax within their own areas. The new law, approved by the Welsh Parliament, could add up to £1.30 per person per night to accommodation costs.
The Welsh Parliament, or Senedd Cymru, voted on Tuesday to give each of the 22 main local councils the power to decide whether to implement the new charge in their area. Under the plan, people staying in hostels and campsites would pay 75p per person per night, while those staying in other types of accommodation, such as hotels and holiday homes, would pay the higher rate. Fortunately, children under 18 staying at hostels and campsites would be exempt from the charge. So far, a number of councils across the country, including Cardiff, Anglesey and Gwynedd, have shown interest in the scheme. However, others like the Vale of Glamorgan, Newport and Wrexham have already ruled it out.
Tourist taxes are not a new concept, as many countries have long used them to support local infrastructure and tourism services. Countries, such as Austria, Belgium, France, Greece and Japan, already charge the visitors. Several Caribbean nations also have tourist taxes, including Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. These charges often help fund public services that support tourism.
Wales’ finance secretary, Mark Drakeford, supports the idea. “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,” Drakeford said. He also noted that it is the first locally designed tax in Wales in over 500 years.
But not everyone thinks the tourist tax is a good idea. Some people worry that it might stop visitors from coming. Others think it could hurt local businesses that depend on tourists to make money. Sam Rowlands MS, a member of the Welsh Conservative Party, criticized that the tax would affect jobs and hurt the economy. “We believe it is bad for Wales and bad for the Welsh tourism sector, which forms such an important part of the Welsh economy,” Mr Rowlands added.
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Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cy7nmyxmepjo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/crln6l5lk31o
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-57526543