WELSH Government’s plans for a tourism tax have faced criticism from Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who says it will have a “negative impact” on the industry.

Welsh Government launched a public consultation on September 20 on proposals to give local authorities the powers to introduce a visitor tax, whereby a small charge would be paid by people staying overnight in accommodation in Wales.

Each local authority in Wales will have the power to decide if they want to introduce a visitor levy, and the money raised will be re-invested in local areas to support local tourism.

This could be investment in keeping the beaches and pavements clean, through to maintaining local parks, toilets and footpaths.

Despite some calls to suspend the tax, and uncertainty over its impact on the tourism industry and the current cost-of-living crisis, the Government remains intent on introducing the levy.

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Speaking in the Senedd, Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans MS said: “Any levy would not be introduced for some time.

“The process of developing a levy spans years, and any legislative proposal would ultimately be subject to scrutiny and approval by the Senedd in the future.

“We have a programme for government commitment to introduce legislation enabling local authorities to raise a levy on tourism.

“This work has been carried out in collaboration with Cefin Campbell, the Plaid Cymru designated lead member, as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.”

Commenting on the Welsh Government response, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “The tourism tax will have a negative impact on the tourism industry, especially here in Aberconwy, where people work in and communities rely on the income generated by visitors.

“We have no idea how long this cost-of-living crisis will persist, but in a time of uncertainty for employers and employees in the tourism sector, it would be a welcome relief if the Welsh Government stopped its plans to attack the sector with a new tax.

“The Welsh Labour Government and their co-operation pals in Plaid Cymru really need to start cooperating positively with businesses so that steps are taken to boost economic growth.”

The public consultation is available at gov.wales/visitor-levy.