Bevan Foundation welcomes visitor levy plans

The Bevan Foundation welcomes the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a visitor levy, one of its recommended new devolved taxes 

The Bevan Foundation welcomes the Welsh Government’s announcement that it is to introduce a visitor levy in the near future.  A visitor levy, or tourism tax, was one of the recommendations of the Bevan Foundation’s 2016 report ‘Tax for Good‘, which aimed to use the power to introduce new, devolved taxes granted in the Government of Wales Act 2014. We are pleased that the Welsh Government has acknowledged the Bevan Foundation’s role in putting a tourism tax on the policy agenda. 

The Bevan Foundation called for a tourism tax, levied as a modest charge on overnight stays in commercial accommodation, because we recognised that tourism brings significant additional costs to the local population. The congestion caused by visitor parking in Eryri and the Brecon Beacons last summer was a reminder of some of the undesirable consequences of large numbers of visitors. 

We recognise that tourism can generate economic benefits, although the local population do not always benefit from those gains. While tourism creates jobs, low pay and job insecurity are all too common in the hospitality sector. 

The Welsh Government is now working on legislation to enable local authorities to introduce a levy if they wish, with further consultation expected on the arrangements in the near future.

Find out more about our Tax for Good project here.