Fears tourists will stay away if Wales brings in holiday tax

THE Labour-run Welsh Government was facing criticism last night over plans to tax tourists to visit the country.

Businesses said the proposed levy could deter visitors already cutting back on holidays because of the cost-of-living crisis while Tories described it as ‘grave danger’ to Wales and a threat to livelihoods.

Richard Workman, of Shell Island campsite in Gwynedd, told the BBC: ‘Getting people across the border into north Wales is the hardest thing. If there’s another tax on top, they’ll go to the east coast of England.’

Under the plans, detailed in a public consultation document, local councils would have the power to charge overnight visitors. Welsh finance minister Rebecca Evans said it would be a ‘small contribution’ to go towards maintaining beaches, pavements, parks, toilets and footpaths.

The Conservatives claim that if the levy is comparable to those in other European countries, a family of four staying for six nights could be charged around £75. If approved by the Welsh parilament, it could be a number of years before the levy is introduced.