Finance Minister Mark Drakeford has announced the Welsh government have scrapped the upcoming tourism tax for under 18s staying in camping and outdoor facilities, but other stays will now see an added cost.
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00:00But having read the committee's report and having considered again the evidence presented
00:07to it, I have decided to go further than the recommendation itself.
00:14The Welsh Government have said that they will make a slight u-turn on their planned so-called
00:18tourism tax, with children and young people now being exempt from paying at places like
00:22camping facilities or outdoor centres.
00:25As part of the initial plans that are set to come into effect no earlier than 2027,
00:30people staying at places like airbnbs and hotels would pay £1.25 per night, with people
00:36camping and staying at hostels paying 75 pence a night.
00:39Mark Drakeford on Tuesday told the Senate that after some consideration, the 75 pence
00:44charge would be scrapped for young people, but all other stays would remain and increase
00:48by 5 pence.
00:50That now brings the charge for camping and hostels to 80 pence per night per adult and
00:54for hotels and holiday lets to £1.30 a night for everyone.
00:59The levy has been very controversial among opposition parties and people within the tourism
01:03sector who say it could risk the Welsh tourism industry by putting people off staying here.
01:09The Welsh Government argue that given the relatively small cost, it would have little
01:12effect on people's plans to visit Wales and could bring in as much as £33 million a year
01:17to the sector if all local authorities implement the tax.
01:21It's not yet known which local authorities could impose it, and if all councils will
01:24be required to impose it yet.
01:28At a time when staycations are on the rise, with big attractions like Oakwood theme park
01:32closing down just last month, it's yet to be seen just how much the tourism tax could
01:37impact the industry and people's desire to holiday here in Wales.
01:40J.P. Watkins reporting for Local TV.