Shadow Minister for North Wales and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has said controversial plans for a tourism tax in Wales would “decimate” businesses in the region and is urging the Labour Welsh Government to scrap the proposals.

The Welsh Government announced yesterday (Feb 10) that a formal consultation on plans for a tourism tax will launch in the autumn.

The levy was proposed in the last Senedd but due to widespread anger in the industry and Welsh Conservative opposition, the proposals were dropped.

Darren has been against the proposals since they were first mooted, repeatedly emphasising the devastating impact a tourism tax would have on North Wales. He is therefore extremely concerned that, despite all the opposition first time around, proposals to introduce the levy are again being looked at.

He said:

“It appears that the Welsh Government has totally disregarded the serious concerns that were raised when they first put forward these ludicrous proposals several years ago. Anyone would think Ministers are intent on destroying the tourism industry.

“After the extremely difficult couple of years businesses have faced due to the pandemic, the Welsh Government should be doing everything in its power to help them get back on their feet, not introducing a levy which will deter price sensitive visitors.”

He added:  

“A tourism tax could decimate communities and make regeneration efforts in Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Llandudno even more difficult.

“It could also have a crippling effect on caravan parks, hotels and other businesses which rely on visitors to make ends meet.

“North Wales is a beautiful part of the country and we should be encouraging people to come here, not discouraging them by making family holidays more expensive.

“As I have previously said, the Welsh Government needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a less destructive way of raising money.”