It’s wrong! Wales storms on with ‘barmy’ Tourism Tax plan on overnight stays for English
Mark Drakeford calls himself 'Prime Minister of Wales'
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Mark Drakeford’s administration confirmed that a consultation will be launched this autumn when further details will be released about how it could look. It is already understood that visitors who are staying overnight would have to pay a fee to the local council under the scheme.
It would be up to local authorities to set it and the Welsh Government said it would raise important funds for councils to manage services and infrastructure in tourist hotspots.
The controversial policy has been agreed through Welsh Labour’s co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru.
News of the development was slammed by Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies.
He tweeted: “Wales doesn’t need a tourism tax.
“We should be doing everything we can to help our businesses and economy recover after the difficulties of the pandemic – not imposing new taxes.
“Labour and Plaid’s barmy proposal should be dropped before people’s livelihoods are hit.”
Political commentator Ant Pickles was similarly scathing.
He wrote: “The numbers on this show why it’s wrong.
“Sleeping accommodation 10m overnight stays in Wales (would pay a tax)
“87m day-trippers (wouldn’t pay a tax)
“Focus should be on increasing international visitors, of which Wales only gets 1m of the 40m who come to the UK. (pre-pandemic numbers*)
Announcing the latest step in introducing the levy, Welsh finance and local government minister Rebecca Evans said it would enable destinations in Wales to be enjoyed for generations to come.
She added: “Visitor levies are a common feature in tourist destinations internationally.
“They are an opportunity for visitors to make an investment in local infrastructure and services, which in turn make tourism a success.
“Without such a levy, local communities face an undue burden to fund local services and provisions on which tourists rely.
“From keeping the beaches and pavements clean, through to maintaining local parks, toilets and footpaths – the critical infrastructure that supports tourism should be supported by all those that rely on it.
“The introduction and subsequent use of such a levy would enable destinations in Wales to be enjoyed for generations to come and encourage a more sustainable approach to tourism.
“The levy would be proportionate by design, and powers to raise the levy would be discretionary for local authorities. This would enable decisions to be taken locally, according to the needs of our communities.”
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