Members of the Wales Tourism Alliance have said that they are opposed to the Welsh Government's proposed introduction of a tourist tax.
At a meeting on Friday (June 18), members of the Wales Tourism Alliance unanimously disagreed with the First Minister's claim that such a tax would benefit the industry.
In a five-year plan published on Tuesday (June 15), the Welsh Government pledged to consult on legislation that would permit local authorities to raise such a levy.
WTA chairman Andrew Campbell described the timing of the tax proposal as insensitive, and said it showed a lack of respect to the tourism industry in Cymru.
Mr Campbell said: “Not only will it make the industry less competitive, sending out a perception that Wales will be a more expensive destination to visit, but businesses are already struggling to bounce back financially from the pandemic [...]
“Rather than proposing a new tax, the Welsh Government should be focusing on financial support to help the sector."
Tourist Levy
In its Programme for Government released earlier this week, the Welsh Government announced that it will consult on legislation permitting local authorities to raise a tourism levy.
The First Minister said that it would "benefit the industry", as it would allow local authorities to "invest in the things that make those areas attractive to tourists in the first place”.