The consultation on proposals for a tourism tax in Wales will start this autumn in a move attacked by the sector.
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said a “local visitor levy” would enable destinations in Wales to be enjoyed for "generations to come".
Any final decision on whether to use one would lie with each local authority.
But North Wales Tourism chief executive Jim Jones said he found it “staggering” that Welsh Government are still talking about a tourism tax.
Tourism brings a substantial economic contribution to Wales with tourism-related expenditure reaching more than £5bn annually in 2019.
Welsh Government say a tourism tax would raise revenue for local authorities enabling them to manage services and infrastructure which makes tourism a success.
But critics warn it will another tax burden on the sector - making Wales less competitive in comparison with other parts of the 海角视频.
The Government said it would provide a platform for a range of views to be considered.
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Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Visitor levies are a common feature in tourist destinations internationally.
“They are an opportunity for visitors to make an investment in local infrastructure and services, which in turn make tourism a success. Without such a levy, local communities face an undue burden to fund local services and provisions on which tourists rely.
"From keeping the beaches and pavements clean, through to maintaining local parks, toilets and footpaths – the critical infrastructure that supports tourism should be supported by all those that rely on it. The levy will apply to those paying to stay overnight within a local authority area.”
Designated Member Cefin Campbell MS said: “This measure will help support a sustainable rather than an extractive tourism sector, which will help bring the greatest benefit to communities and the local economy.”
But Jim Jones said: “A tax on tourism would be a hugely regressive step that would damage and industry that is already reeling after being battered by the pandemic.
“It also makes no sense strategically because the tourism and hospitality sector is well-placed to lead North Wales on the path to economic recovery so this would be a hindrance in terms of our regional revival.
“We speak to businesses every day and they are totally opposed to the idea of a tourism tax.
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“The sector is already heavily overtaxed as it is and on top of everything else loans taken during the pandemic have to be repaid.
“Local authorities already receive millions of pounds of compensation by Welsh Government to deal with the influx of visitors via the enhanced population grant - the greater the number of visitor, the more money they receive, I think we need to establish where this money is spent first.
“We would oppose the introduction of a tourism tax at anytime but to consider that now would be an absolute disaster.
“It would be counter productive and deter visitors from coming here which would in turn damage our economic performance.”