WALES SET TO INSTITUTE “TOURIST TAX”

In the future, many parts of Wales may institute a “tourist tax.” The Welsh parliament agreed on the tourist tax in a vote. This tax could earn the government as much as 1.30 pounds per person per night. According to officials, this tax could raise as much as £ 33 million. However, many businesses worry that this new tax would deter people from visiting.

Each of the main councils in Wales would be able to decide if they want to institute the tax in their respective areas. Those who decide to institute the tax will be able to put it into effect by 2027 at the earliest.

Tourists who live in hostels and campsites will be charged 75p per person. However, people under eighteen residing in hostels and campsites will be free of charge. On the other hand, tourists who stay in hotels and holiday homes will be charged at a higher rate.

Mark Drakeford, Wales’s finance secretary, believes the tax will be a good policy to implement. Drakeford says, “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.” However, many people disagree. For example, Welsh conservatives are doing their best to remove the plan before it is instituted. Sam Rowlands, a member of the party, says, “We believe it is bad for Wales and bad for the Welsh tourism sector, which forms such an important part of the Welsh economy.” Rowlands means that if the bill was instituted, then less visitors will come to Wales, ruining the Welsh economy. Another dissenter comes from the Welsh Tourism Alliance. They worry that the bill has been drafted in such a way that the councils will not need to spend the money raised by the bill specifically on tourism.

Links to articles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cy7nmyxmepjo