Pembrokeshire Assembly Members Paul Davies and Angela Burns have recently met with Pembrokeshire Tourism to discuss their concerns over the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a tourist tax in Wales. A tourist tax could result in visitors charged a separate, additional amount per night, similar to the taxes implemented in parts of mainland Europe.
Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies said, “If the Welsh Government moves ahead with its tourist tax proposal, there will be a significant impact on businesses across Pembrokeshire. Tourism is strategically important to Pembrokeshire, with tourists bringing in almost £600m a year to the county and so any move to add an additional levy on the industry could result in an increase in the cost of holidays to Wales and would put Welsh tourist operators at a disadvantage to its UK counterparts”
He added, “It’s not just tourist operators that might suffer too – Pembrokeshire’s pubs, cafés and shops also rely on the local tourism industry and an additional levy will certainly have an impact right across the local supply chain.”
Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Angela Burns said,“Tourism is a vital part of the West Wales economy. I have already had a number of businesses get in touch with me worried about the impact that this proposed tax may have on them. It is a competitive market place at the moment and we are not only competing with our neighbours across the border in England but also many places in mainland Europe which are so easily reached by low cost flights”.
“We should be doing all we can to up our offerings and provide that five star hospitality that Wales is so famous for. Instead the Welsh Government are considering taxing tourists and making it ever more expensive for them to visit our wonderful nation. The levy will hit those spending one night staying in Wales just as heavily as those visiting for longer”.
“We are delighted that the Welsh Conservatives are standing up for the Welsh Tourism Industry, small business and our communities in fighting the implementation of this tax and will ensure that we both do all we can in our taking every chance to speak out against it on the floor of the Assembly over the coming months.”
Dennis O’Connor, Tourism Liaison Manager of Pembrokeshire Tourism said, “The tourism industry is hugely important to the Pembrokeshire economy and we must ensure that we do whatever it takes to protect the industry. Introducing a Tourist Tax, regardless of however small it may appear, would inevitably mean that some people will decide not to visit Wales as a matter of principal.
The Welsh Government should have a better understanding of the importance of tourism and instead of regarding it as a potential cash-cow, should be aiming to make Wales more attractive to visitors than our other parts of the UK and Ireland.”
