Visitor Levy Bill to be introduced this month

Ministers have announced that upcoming legislative proposals, which could significantly impact tourism in Wales, will be introduced this month.

July's legislative statement by the First Minister unveiled plans for two Bills aimed at bolstering the tourism sector. The first Bill will empower local authorities to implement a visitor levy, while the second Bill will focus on regulating visitor accommodation, ensuring standards and sustainability.

Today, Members of the Senedd were briefed by Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, and Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning on the latest updates regarding these Bills.

The Visitor Accomodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill will be introduced to the Senedd on the 25th November 2024. This is subject to a determination from the Senedd's presiding officer.

The proposed bill aims to grant local authorities the authority to impose a visitor levy. This levy, a minor fee paid by overnight visitors in accommodation establishments, is designed to generate additional revenue supporting the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry. Each local authority will have the discretion to consider implementing a visitor levy based on specific local conditions.

Emphasizing the necessity for collaboration and engagement in developing tax policies, the two Cabinet Secretaries stressed the significance of a registration system to accompany the levy. The Bill includes a provision for a national register of all visitor accommodation providers in Wales.

"The registration scheme under the proposed Bill is the initial phase towards establishing a statutory licensing framework, ensuring uniform standards across visitor accommodations," they said.

In the pipeline is a subsequent Bill aimed at advancing towards a statutory licensing scheme, enabling accommodation providers to showcase compliance with specific standards. Continuous dialogue with tourism stakeholders, accommodation providers, and local authorities will shape the evolution of these legislative initiatives.