Statement on the Welsh Government Visitor Levy

A visitor levy for Wales | GOV.WALESA visitor levy for Wales | GOV.WALESStatement from Rowland Rees-Evans, Chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance.

The tourism and hospitality industry contributes billions of pounds annually to the Welsh economy and employs over 11% of the working population and the Wales Tourism Alliance does not believe that a Visitor Levy is the right solution for Wales. 
 
However, since it became clear that a Visitor Levy is a preferred policy for the Welsh Government. we have put a huge amount of work in to ensure that any proposals would both recognise the importance of tourism to Wales and be fit for purpose. 
 
We are disappointed that a number of the key points on which we felt we had reached an understanding with the Welsh Government have not been adequately reflected in the proposed policy. 
 
In particular we feel that the Welsh Government has missed a key opportunity to establish a registration scheme for self-catering accommodation that would have incorporated key health and safety criteria and assured visitors that their accommodation meets basic assurance standards.
 
What has been proposed will instead increase the costs for tourism and hospitality businesses, which will be passed on to our visitors, without any perceived “added value”. 
 
We are also disappointed that there is no clear commitment that the funding raised by the levy will be dedicated to improving the visitor experience in Wales.
 
This was the Welsh Government’s opportunity to deliver a gold standard in tourism and accommodation – setting Wales apart from the rest of the UK.  Instead it has merely made Wales more expensive without any perceived added-value for our visitors.


Link to the Welsh Government's Visitor Levy policy and strategy page: A visitor levy for Wales | GOV.WALES