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Wales: Conwy and Anglesey have decided not to introduce a visitor levy at this stage, while Gwynedd has postponed its decision to allow more time to assess consultation responses.
The Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK Cymru [PASC UK Cymru] has welcomed the decisions, saying they provide greater certainty for accommodation businesses facing rising costs.
Conwy councillors voted by 29 to nine to defer the levy pending further evidence. Of the 1,210 responses received during its consultation, 62.1 per cent opposed or tended to oppose its introduction, compared with 33.8 per cent in favour.
Anglesey has also decided not to proceed at this stage. According to the consultation results, 70.8 per cent of respondents opposed or tended to oppose the levy, while 25.1 per cent supported it.
Opposition in Anglesey was highest among businesses and visitors, at 83.1 and 84.2 per cent respectively. Some 57.8 per cent of residents were also opposed.
Meanwhile, Gwynedd said it requires more time to consider the 6,856 responses submitted to its consultation. Initial analysis found that 79.5 per cent of responding businesses and 79.9 per cent of responding visitors opposed the levy. Across all respondents, opposition stood at 68.5 per cent.
PASC UK Cymru spokesperson Nicky Williamson said: “This is a welcome victory for common sense and for listening to the evidence. Tourism businesses across Wales have been clear about the pressures they are already facing, and the response to these consultations shows the strength of concern about adding another cost to Welsh holidays.
“This is simply the wrong time to introduce another cost for either businesses or visitors. We welcome councils listening to the evidence and urge others to do the same before taking decisions that could have long-term consequences for Wales’ visitor economy.”
The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Act 2025 gives individual Welsh councils the option to charge a levy on overnight stays following consultation with local communities and businesses. Revenue raised must be reinvested locally to support tourism.
Welsh Government information currently lists Cardiff as the only council set to charge the levy, beginning on 1 April 2027.
Highlights
- Conwy councillors voted 29 to nine to defer introducing the visitor levy
- Anglesey has decided not to proceed with the levy at this stage
- Gwynedd is allowing more time to assess 6,856 consultation responses
- Consultation results showed majority opposition in all three council areas
- PASC UK Cymru welcomed the decisions as positive for Wales’ visitor economy
