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Tourism in Wales is a growing industry with many people traveling to popular areas such as Llandudno and Pembrokeshire. The government believes a tax would help pay for local infrastructure and keep beaches clean.
However, the idea of a Welsh tourist tax is very unpopular with some business owners and tourist officials.
Susy Davies, chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, told Newyddion: “Compared to people who have businesses in England or Scotland, it’s just another thing that keeps people away from Wales because of it.”
She added that the price of a city tax can add up very quickly for a family of four if it is priced per bed.
Richard Griffiths, owner of the Richmond Hotel in Aberystwyth, said it was “the wrong time” to talk about a tax.
He said: “For the government to think it makes sense to add a tourist tax on top of the cost for overnight guests only… who are currently paying for their accommodation and eating out at night… and saying ‘ We want to burden you even further’, it is unfair, unnecessary and ill-considered.”
However, some supporters of the tax think it will benefit the local areas that receive the bulk of tourism in Wales.
Under the proposed plans there would be a surcharge for overnight stays in Wales, but it is up to the local authorities to apply this surcharge.
The exact fee holidaymakers can charge is yet to be determined, but in Europe it is often around £1-2 per night.
In 2019 there were just over a million international tourist trips to Wales and over 87 million day trips according to the Welsh Senedd.
Many tourists choose to visit Llandudno, Conwy or Pembrokeshire to enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Capital Cardiff is also growing in popularity as a city break destination and is easily accessible by train.
The Welsh Government said: “Tourist levies are common around the world and the revenues are used to benefit local communities, tourism and businesses.
Many Britons are choosing to go on holiday abroad this year as travel restrictions have been eased around the world.
Others may decide to forgo vacations because of the rising cost of living and extreme increases in the price of energy and daily necessities.
Malcolm Bell of Visit Cornwall told Express.co.uk he expected the number to be lower this year than in 2021.
Bell said he thought many people would choose to vacation abroad now that the tests have been ditched.
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