Welsh tourist hotspots are set to shut their doors for a day in protest against the Welsh Government’s proposed tourism tax. The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), which represents over 100 leading attractions across Wales, has recommended its members close for one day, following an emergency meeting. The news has prompted a mixed reaction from Wales Online readers.
The controversial £1.25 per night tourism tax could be implemented from 2027, affecting guests at hotels, B&Bs and self-catered accommodation if local councils decide to introduce it. A reduced rate of 75p would apply to hostels and campsites.
Frankie Hobro, who has managed Anglesey Sea Zoo for nearly two decades, voiced her concerns about the struggling Welsh tourism industry, stating: “The tourist tax is a huge huge worry to us. People are in despair because their costs are the same but they’re not making more money. Prices for everything are going up and the minimum wage is going up. People’s mental health is being affected because they can’t afford to carry on but they can’t sell up either. The Welsh Government did not consult the industry. Tourism tax works well in Europe because they pay 8% not 20% VAT like we do.”
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Many WAVA members also highlighted a significant 23% decrease in overnight stays in Wales last year, with 60% of Welsh attractions reporting fewer visitors than in 2023. It was noted that no WAVA attraction is currently reaching pre-Covid visitor numbers.
VA cautioned that the tourism sector in Wales is lagging in its recovery from Covid compared to other regions of the UK. In a statement, WAVA members expressed their concern: “Welsh tourism is the slowest to recover from Covid compared to other UK tourism regions. All leading experts in Welsh tourism has advised the Welsh Government not to go ahead with a tourism tax.”
Commenter CwmRhondda says: “The Welsh government always makes the mistake of thinking that a small amount of tax isn’t really going to make any difference to people. What they fail to realise is that it doesn’t have to be a big tax to deter some of the market even if it’s only a relatively small proportion of people. You only need a drop of a few percent of customers to make a difference, especially when people are looking to stay at the cheaper end of the market. Someone paying an extra few quid for a good hotel isn’t going to worry, but people looking for a small B&B on a very limited budget will most certainly be affected. The burden falls on the people who are least able to afford it.”
Tonyblue1927 thinks: “There are now so many deterrents to visiting Wales, tourism tax being just one. Most I speak to are put off by the 20mph limits as a root cause, but nobody listens to those most affected.”
PJ372 agrees: “So many things they are actively doing that discourage tourism, so unbelievably short sighted.”
Anothergrumpy is unsympathetic: “Perhaps they can use their duvet day to answer a short questionnaire: 1. Do you want more visitors and higher spending visitors visiting for more of the year, or continue with an underdeveloped visitor economy punching well below its weight? 2. If yes, how should developing the visitor economy be funded if not a small levy on overnight stays?”
Hoopsadaisy agrees: “Closing attractions for a day with little or no notice, affecting tourists already here who are looking for a day out, will cause more damage to the tourist industry than a small daily charge.”
Littlenell believes: “It’s the thin edge of the wedge, in order to collect the tax everyone will have to register their accommodation no matter how small. Once registered, there will be visitations, ever more legislation and hoops to jump through until as a small independent business you have to sell up or quit, leaving only the large corporate chains.”
Pastcaring agrees: “How long before the £1.25 becomes £5 and then £10 and higher?”
FreeWales points out: “If the companies fleecing tourists (and even visiting locals), charging them £6 for an ice cream, are really so concerned about discouraging tourists; why don’t they charge realistic prices and not practice excessive blatant profiteering?”
Ethel the Frog asks: “The important question is how this money is spent. If every single penny is ring fenced to improve tourist facilities it might work. If it’s just to pay for more politicians and think tanks – then no. Just no.”
BlueBuoy is frustrated: “Unbelievable the people on here! Tourist tax isn’t a Labour thing, it’s been around for years. A few cities, towns and seaside resorts already have it in England and abroad there are numerous countries that have this tax, even people from America and Europe have to start paying to enter the U.K.”
How do you feel about the tourism tax? Will it benefit Wales or will it decimate the essential tourist industry? Have your say in our comments section.