Welsh tourist attractions were advised to close yesterday (Tuesday) in protest at the Welsh government’s proposed tourist tax.
The word came from the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions following an emergency meeting. The recommendation to members of the WAVA could have affected around 100 visitor attractions in the country.
The Welsh government announced last month its plans for the tax, but the WAVA has since gone on record as condemning the proposals.
“Their own government reports indicated such a tax would damage the Welsh tourism industry,” said a statement from the association.
The bill was introduced into the Senedd on November 25 and the proposals, lodged by former First Minister Mark Drakeford, now finance secretary, will now be scrutinised and subsequently voted upon by members, but the vote will probably be made several months from now.
It is currently proposing a levy of 75p per person per night for those in hostels and campsites and £1.25 for those staying overnight in other accommodation. If all of the Welsh local authorities adopted the scheme it would generate as much as £33m annually.
But the WAVA said that Welsh government reports had found that in the worst scenario, around 700 tourism jobs could be lost and revenue losses would total £40m.
“Welsh government figures were based only on a 1.6 per cent drop in visitor numbers,” said the WAVA, “but many in tourism expect the drop to be more.”
