In the Senedd today, Members will be debating the general principles of the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) (Wales) Bill.
Welsh Conservatives oppose the introduction of a “visitor levy”, dubbing it a “toxic tourism tax”.
Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats are all expected to vote in favour of the new tax that will apply to overnight stays in Wales of at least £1.25 per person per night in hotels, not inclusive of VAT and not inclusive of an effectively unlimited premium that can be requested by Councils levying the charge.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Sam Rowlands MS said:
“It’s clear that Labour’s toxic tourism tax must be axed.
“The Welsh Labour Government’s own commissioned figures highlight the multi-million-pound risk to the economy, coupled with hundreds of potential job losses.
“The Welsh Conservatives will be voting against the tourism tax and will continue to make the case for a pro-business, common-sense tax policy instead of Labour’s obsession with punishing the tourism sector.”
