Wales, country in southwest Great Britain, part of the UK known for its mountainous national parks, rugged coastline, inspiring landscapes, a land of song, steeped in myth and legend with a distinctive Celtic culture is planning to apply a tourist tax that generates debate among local businesses.
This so called "tourist tax" promoted by the Welsh Government is part of a plan to implement a fee visitor aimed at generating additional revenue to support local infrastructure and financing to reinvest in services in popular tourist destinations, an objective to provide local authorities with a sustainable source that contribute to the success of tourism,raising concerns among the businesses about the potential deterrence of visitors and the economic impact.
Examples inclide cleaning beaches, maintaining trails, supporting visitor centres and promoting Welsh heritage.
The proposed legislation would empower councils to impose a charge of £1.25 per person per night for accommodation such as B&Bs and self catering units and hotels with a reduced rate of 75p for campsites and hotels with the implementation of this new tax scheduled to be activated in April 2027.
Welsh Government sources stress that this "visitor tax" is in line with international practices and points out the many countries have successfully implemented similar taxes to boost sustainable tourism.
However, the proposal has raised great concern among local businesses and tour operators, particularly in rural areas such as the Brecon Beacons, a Welsh mountain range, where tourism is integral part of the local economy.
Critics argue that the additional cost could deter visitors, especially families, which would negatively affect the revenues of local businesses, for example a family of four could face an extra charge of approximately £35 for a week - long stay, a factor that some entrepreneurs fear could discourage potential tourists.
An impact assessment commissioned by the Welsh Government suggests that the tax could lead to loss of about 730 jobs in the tourism sector and a £47.5 million reduction in economic activity.
Link - https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/104359_gales_propone_un_impuesto_turistico_que_genera_debate_entre_las
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