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Economic Development

Where Welsh councils are on introducing a tourism tax

While it is a Welsh Government law, it will be up to each of Wales' 22 councils to decide whether to implement it

The Welsh Government says it could make £33m a year if all councils were to introduce it(Image: Philip Taylor).(Image: Philip Taylor)

The Welsh Government is bringing in a visitor levy - more commonly known as a tourism tax - for Wales. While it will create the law and the rules around the levy, each of Wales' 22 councils will make the call about whether it wants to introduce it.

Each council would have to consult its residents before bringing it into force. Mark Drakeford, Wales' finance minister, has said that the earliest any authority would be able to introduce it would be 2027.

It will apply to all types of visitor accommodation, at one of two rates to anyone staying in Wales overnight whether in an Airbnb, Vrbo, or short-term let, or hotel, hostel, or campsite.

The plans have been changed slightly since they were first announced after concerns raised about whether children and young people should have to pay. The revised proposal is for all under-18-year-olds to be exempt from paying, but that has meant the prices will go up for others from the 75p originally proposed to 80p and from £1.25 to £1.30 per night for the higher rate.

If all Wales' councils decided to introduce it, it would make £33m a year, the Welsh Government say.

We approached all of Wales' 22 councils and asked if they were starting the process to bring in the levy and, if they were, any dates they expected the consultation to be launched.

While many say they are still reviewing their options, some have ruled themselves out. Pembrokeshire will not, nor will Rhondda Cynon Taf. The leader of Wrexham council says that while no decision has been made, he did not think it would be a good idea. "We want to encourage tourists to visit and spend their hard earned money here as opposed to looking at raising an additional levy," he said.


Blaenau Gwent