The Welsh Association of Visitor Attraction (WAVA) has passed a ‘no confidence’ vote on Welsh Government proposals for a tourism tax.

Following a recent meeting of WAVA members they were asked to vote on a motion that:

• WAVA has no confidence in the Welsh Government’s proposals for a tourism tax that is intended to be imposed on Welsh people, and all other visitors holidaying in Wales.

• WAVA also has no confidence in the current inadequate ‘consultation’ process for this proposed tax.

“This motion was overwhelmingly passed by members of WAVA - the lead body for the attraction industry with over 100 members throughout Wales,” said Ashford Price membership secretary of WAVA.

“I have never in my 45 years of operating in Welsh tourism felt such anger and despair expressed in a meeting by operators at the way tourism is being treated by the present Welsh Government.

“During the tourist season the largest visitor survey so far carried out on the ‘tourism tax issue’ was organised at various WAVA attraction sites throughout Wales, which confirmed that many tourists will boycott Wales when this tax is introduced.”

Mr Price said that 1,926 holiday makers were asked the following questions: ‘Would you pay a visitor tax in order to holiday in Wales?’ - with 74% of holiday makers stating ‘no’.

The survey also asked visitors: ‘Would they spend less during their holiday if they had to pay these Welsh taxes’ - with 56% replying that they would spend less.

When asked ‘Do you realise that soon you could be paying a tourism tax if you holiday in Wales?’ - 78% of Welsh people said ‘no’.

“What the survey also showed was that Welsh people did not realise that they would also have to pay a tourism tax for the privilege of holidaying in their own country,” continued Mr Price.

“Incredible as it seems, Welsh people really will have to pay this tax for holidaying in their own country! It was correctly described at the WAVA meeting as the ‘Welsh Poll tax’.

“However, if Welsh people holiday in England they will not have to pay a tourism tax thus making their holiday in England cheaper.

“This proposed tourism tax will therefore put Welsh tourism at a price disadvantage when compared to other devolved regions, especially at a time when there is a cost-of-living crisis, and a recession forecast.

“If this Welsh tax is based on similar levies of EU countries that have a tourism tax it could add up to a further £70 for a family for six nights staying at a hotel.

“It should also be noted that tourists that spend a night in Wales normally spend around £180 per day on their visit, but a day visitor spends only £30. Hence, this tax will hit the very tourists who are already supporting Wales to the hilt, and the Welsh tourism industry.

“However, this tax will also be charged for those staying in a tent, caravan site, and self-catering complexes.”

Mr Price said that the survey confirms fears held by many that Welsh tourism is now being run on a ‘Soviet styled system’ where ‘politburo laws’ are imposed from ‘on high’ with no regard to any proper consultative process, or the unintended consequences that will sadly follow. e.g. fewer visitors, less tourism jobs and investments put on hold.

“Further proof as to the above is found in The Welsh Governments recent tourism tax ‘consultation document’ sent to all Welsh tourism operators. This document is a complete farce,” remarked Mr Price.

“The much vaulted ‘consultative document’ only seeks clarification on the way this tax might be collected, with exceptions amazingly suggested by the Welsh Government for travelling folk.

“There is nothing in this document relating to whether this tax is a feasible idea for Wales. No questions to facilitate the exchange of ideas as to whether this will be a good or a bad tax for tourism are to be found in this document.

“The Welsh Government makes much play in their official communications that some EU countries have a tourism tax already e.g., France and Spain, but what they do not say is that in both these countries they have a much lower level of VAT at 10%, not the 20% as in Britain.

“Many in the meeting also felt that senior tourism members who represent the industry, and then meet or correspond with Ministers are no longer being listened to, and their advice is now being completely ignored,” he added.