We asked every Welsh council if it was going to bring in a tourism tax

Wales Online

a day ago

We asked every Welsh council if it was going to bring in 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 )
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. You can read the changes here.
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.
Article continues below
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.
Cardiff has said it plans to, and Ynys Mon says it is minded to.
A decision has not been made in Blaenau Gwent yet, a spokeswoman said.
Bridgend has not yet made any decisions over the potential introduction of a visitor levy. A spokesman said: "We understand that the Senedd will be undertaking a final vote on the proposals later this year, and that if approved, local authorities who wish to participate in the proposed scheme will need to carry out public consultation before it can be introduced.
"We are awaiting the outcome of this process and will be considering it carefully and in full detail before any final decision is made."
The authority doesn't plan to introduce any visitor levy.
Cardiff council does plan to introduce the tourism tax, but any date would depend on the outcome of a consultation with residents.
This authority says it is currently reviewing the potential introduction of a visitor levy before any formal decision is made. "Once a decision is reached, it will be communicated through the appropriate channels," a spokesperson said.
A spokesman said: "Consideration will be given as to whether or not to introduce the visitor levy when the legislation has been finalised. No political decision has been made on this matter to date."
A consultation process will be carried out in late 2025 to seek the views of the tourism trade, local residents and visitors. Councillors will then be discussing whether to impose any levy. The final decision will be taken by the full council.
This authority said it is yet to make any decision.
This authority says it has not yet considered introducing the tax. Chief officer for planning, environment and economy, Andrew Farrow said: "Flintshire County Council has not yet considered whether or not it will implement the proposed visitor levy. The council will want to fully consider the Levy and will weigh up the potential benefits and risks of implementation following consultation with stakeholders in the County including tourism businesses."
A spokeswoman said: "Cyngor Gwynedd is currently considering the Welsh Government Bill and is awaiting its approval by the Senedd before full consideration will be given.
"If the legislation is passed by the Senedd, the council will consider the implications of the Bill, the opportunities it may create, and the challenges of implementing it. The council will then decide whether to adopt it locally and when that is likely to happen. In the meantime, the council will continue to consult with the sector and our communities through the Gwynedd and Eryri Partnership 2035."
Merthyr Tydfil
The authority said it will enter a consultation period in July 2025 which will look at:
‌
Projected income generation should the levy be introduced
Review of current accommodation providers
How income would be spent and its intended use
Directly consult with the local tourism sector and our local residents
Only after that would any decision be made, a spokesperson said.
A spokesperson said: "Monmouthshire has no current plans to introduce a visitor levy. Once the legislation is in place, we will work closely with local tourism providers to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages and decide together whether a tourism levy is right for Monmouthshire and how the money raised could improve our County's welcome for visitors."
‌
The council has yet to make a decision on the issue, a spokesman said.
The authority has no plans to introduce the levy.
The council said it will not take steps to introduce the levy in this administration - although it's important to remember the earliest date the law could come into force is 2027, and there are council elections in that year too which could lead to a change in administration.
‌
Explaining its decision, deputy leader Paul Miller said tourism is "an important part of the county's economy"
"We acknowledge it's important to recognise there's balance to be struck between supporting the industry and dealing with some of the challenges associated with peaks in season. Therefore, I'm confirming it's not our intention to take forward the option of a visitor levy in Pembrokeshire during this administration," he said.
Powys
The council has not formally considered its position with regard to the visitor levy.
‌
A spokesman said: "This is not under consideration in Rhondda Cynon Taf."
There are no plans to introduce a visitor levy in Swansea
No answer was received to our requests.
‌
Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has no plans to pursue a visitor levy at this time.
This authority's leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard, said while the final decision would come down to its executive board, it is not something he thinks would benefit the city and council area. "As it stands I would not support the proposal as we want to welcome people to Wrexham without charging them additional taxes on their visit.
"The current visitor and tourism economy within Wrexham is growing as a result of many factors including the raised profile we enjoy from the takeover of the football club as well as ongoing local and multi-agency work promoting Wrexham and Wales as a destination.
Article continues below
"We want to encourage tourists to visit and spend their hard earned money here as opposed to looking at raising an additional levy or tax on their visit that could mean they choose to visit somewhere else and spend their money elsewhere."
Ynys Mon
Anglesey council's head of service for regulation, Christian Branch said: "The county council is supportive of the principle of the proposed visitor levy. Its potential introduction on Ynys Môn will be informed by Welsh Government guidance, formal local consultation and political decision-making processes. The likely timetable for introducing the levy, if supported, has not yet been determined."