Rebecca Evans

Now is not The Time to impose a tax on people visiting Wales as the cost of living increases, businesses have warned.

A public consultation will consider if overnight visitors should pay a levy on top of their holiday costs.

Some in the tourism industry fear it would put off visitors who are already cutting back due to higher bills.

The Welsh Government previously said it would be up to councils to decide whether to charge a tax.

The Proposal comes after some beauty spots saw large increases in visitors after coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted,

But with it Not Yet being clear how much people could be charged if the levy is introduced, businesses have called for urgent clarity over who The Charge would apply to - for example those making overnight trips within Wales, the UK or Abroad - and where The Money would go.

Richard Workman, a director at Shell Island in Gwynedd, said there were " a lot of questions that need to be answered" as soon as possible.

" According to what we've read, each individual council will be able to implement their specific rate. You could have Gwynedd Council implementing it at one rate and a council down in South Wales saying 'we don't need to do it', " He Said .

" If we've got to charge extra on top, and another council isn't implementing it, we could lose our customers to a different area altogether. "

Mr Workman said introducing the tax on top of the cost of living and high fuel prices for people travelling for trips meant it was " the wrong time to do it" and he feared people would avoid holidaying in Wales.

" Getting people across The Border into North Wales is the hardest thing, " he added. " If there's another tax on top, they'll go to the East Coast of England, " He Said .

BBC Wales spoke to three campers at Shell Island in Gwynedd, who were visiting from Derbyshire. It is one of the UK's largest campsites, with 800 pitches.

Chloe Riley said: " In order to come back to Shell Island in Wales I would still pay the tax… but it would depend on how much that was going to be. "

Her partner Matthew Goff agreed he would be willing to pay a tax to return to " magical" Shell Island , but added: " We're a nation of taxpayers. We pay tax on everything. So, why introduce a new tax, in order just to go On Holiday ?

" People save hard, and is it really The Right time to introduce more taxes when Everything Else has just shot through The Roof ? " he asked.

Another, David Langsdale, said he had been camping in Wales for years, but the introduction of a tax " might Make Me think about going Somewhere Else if I had to… I'm a firm believer that I pay taxes in Derby, and when I come On Holiday I shouldn't have to pay tax for Anywhere Else . "

He added: " It might Make Me think twice about coming to Wales generally. "

Chris Frost, chair of North Wales Tourism, said businesses understood why the Welsh Government were looking at introducing The Charge after the influx of visitors, but He Said businesses were still struggling to recover post-pandemic.

Mr Frost, who owns Manorhaus restaurant with rooms in Ruthin, Denbighshire, said many businesses were still paying back support after being closed or restricted during the pandemic, adding he was going to be paying over £900 a month for The Next Four Years .

" With the surges in the supply chains and utilities and food costs, employment costs rising, the cost of doing business at The Moment is just absolutely a massive challenge for the industry, " He Said .

" Now is not The Time for a consultation on a proposed tourism levy. "

Wander Woman Travel Podcast host, Phoebe Smith, told BBC Radio Wales introducing a tax for people using accommodation was a " less than an ideal solution".

" The People who tend to make The Most damage are those who come in and don't give so much back: people on coach trips, people on day trips and people who come on camper vans who don't even use A Camp site, they Drive In and bring their own food in, " She Said .

Paul Williams , General Manager of Llandudno Pier , said a potential tax was a " very bad idea, especially for us being one of The Major tourist attractions in North Wales ".

" We've just come out of Covid Last Year , The Last thing we need is a tax on tourism, " He Said . " It's one of the biggest sectors in North Wales .

" To put a tax on top of it just seems ludicrous, especially at This Time . "

The Welsh Government said there were More Than 90m visits to Wales in 2019, resulting in a combined spend of More Than £5. 9bn. Of those, 10m were overnight stays, bringing in More Than £2bn.

The Proposal is part of the Welsh Government 's cooperation agreement with Plaid Cymru where local authorities would be able to introduce the levy and use The Money raised to invest in their local area.

Ministers agreed it was a " Hot Topic , " but claim levies are common in tourism destinations around The World .

Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans has previously said any levy would allow councils to " manage and invest" in local services, ranging from cleaning beaches to maintaining toilets and footpaths.

Source of news: bbc.com