The rugged mountains, limestone caves and spectacular waterfalls of Bannau Brycheiniog – the Brecon Beacons – attract visitors from all over the world.
Tourism is an essential part of the local economy. But local attractions say the industry would be devastated by the Welsh Government’s decision. plans for a night tourist tax.
“In an area like this, all we have is tourism and agriculture. There’s nothing else,” says Ashford Price of the National Showcaves Centre, a cave resort the size of a cathedral, winding tunnels, a dry ski slope and an equestrian center. , lodges and campsite.
“If they continue like this, the future of Welsh tourism is very bleak indeed. It will be an absolute disaster.
Ashford Price says region depends on tourism
THE the proposed fee would be £1.25 for those staying in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation – and 75p for campsites, caravan parks and hostels.
Ashford is secretary of the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions. To protest this project, more than a hundred members closed their attractions for a day.
“Even the Welsh who live in Wales will be crushed by this tourist tax,” he said.
“It’s quite high, there is no reduction for children. For a family this will add around £35, £40 per week. If you stay two weeks, like many people, that’s £70 on top of your bill. At a time when everyone’s incomes are really struggling, it makes no sense to put Wales at a disadvantage.
“There will be no more major developments. We have already canceled a £1.5 million development and I know other attractions are doing the same. I don’t think the Welsh Government really understands how demoralized people feel.”
Antoine Christophe
“It’s a disaster”
In the neighboring village, Anthony Christopher, owner of the Penycae Inn, is deeply frustrated.
“I just want to call this government a bunch of weasels,” he said.
“We are a small family business and all these extra taxes take away the desire to do other things.
“We have national insurance already – the contributions are very high. VAT is very high. Now this tax is coming – it’s a disaster. We need to pass these extra costs on to customers – how much more can we charge customers? It’s terrible.
Anthony has just transformed a former school into a 14-room hotel – scheduled to open in January.
“If I had known this was going to happen, I might not have built my hotel. This is very worrying.
Many areas of Wales have struggled with the impact of tourism in recent years, with complaints about overflowing parking lotstraffic jams, litter and even human excrement on Mount Snowdon.
Waste on Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). Photo: British Mountaineering Council/Tom Carrick
The Welsh Government says giving local councils the power to impose a tourist tax would help fund better local services.
“During a period of sustained austerity such as we have experienced over the past 14 years, local authorities inevitably end up focusing their spending on areas for which they have legal obligations – social care, education, etc. .,” said Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford.
“This means there has been a reduction in the amount of money available to local authorities to invest in the infrastructure that makes them popular places to visit. It’s a way of collecting a very small contribution from each of us who makes a visit, to reinvest it in the conditions that make this visit a success.
“This is money that would be reinvested in the tourism industry, for example in clean beaches, safe paths, car parks and public toilets.”
Mark Drakeford. File photo: PA
“People just absorb it.”
The tourism industry accounts for 11% of all jobs in Wales. But an impact study commissioned by the Welsh Government predicts that, in a worst-case scenario, 730 jobs could be lost in the sector if a council tax was introduced across the country, with an economic cost of £47.5 million. pounds sterling. It also plans to create 340 jobs in local communities.
Mr Drakeford insists the tax will boost tourism rather than hurt it.
“For those who fear that the very modest visitor tax will deter visitors, experience from around the world shows that this is simply not the case. There is now ample empirical evidence that many places have introduced visitor taxes of this type, not only overseas, but around the world. Manchesterfor example,” he said.
“The evidence doesn’t just come from big places like Venicebut from the countryside Francewhere there is a levy of this type. People simply absorb it as part of the cost of their vacation.
Tourist taxes in cities around the world Europe range from around 50p to £5 a night, although businesses generally benefit from lower VAT rates than the 20% paid in the UNITED KINGDOM.
The idea is becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
The Scottish Parliament passed legislation similar to that proposed for Wales in July, with Edinburgh ready to become the first tip to start charging visitors a 5% tourist tax.
Manchester’s £1-a-night tourist tax could raise £2.8m
If some regional mayors like Andy Burnham requested that equivalent powers be introduced into Englandthe Westminster Government has no intention of doing so.
But local areas can get around this by bringing businesses together to set up their own programs. Manchester’s £1-a-night rate raised £2.8 million in its first year and hoteliers Liverpool are about to vote on a similar idea.
Other cities, including York And Londonare also considering this option – even if there is a plan to BournemouthChristchurch and Poole were suspended after hotel owners objected to voting being held there.
Learn more:
Cambridge considers hotel occupancy tax
Venice plans to double tourist tax after trial
Despite the reaction of local businesses, the Senedd are scheduled to vote on the legislation this summer.
If passed, councils will then consult local people about whether or not they should take on their new powers. Tourists could then start being charged from 2027.