Welsh Conservatives have voiced further concerns over proposals to introduce a ‘Tourism Tax’ for Wales.

Wales’ Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans, last month confirmed that the Labour Government’s plans for a visitor levy in Wales are proceeding and legislation enabling local authorities to introduce a levy in their areas will be put to the Senedd within this Government term.

The levy will be a small charge paid by people staying in commercially-let overnight visitor accommodation.

Local authorities will decide whether to introduce a levy and the funds raised will be used to benefit local areas.

Rebecca Evans said: “Over the coming years, we will continue to work with businesses, local government and all our partners to design a levy that will put power into the hands of local communities.

“We understand some businesses have reservations about a visitor levy and I am grateful to all those who took the time to respond to our consultation.

“These responses will be carefully considered as we continue to develop our specific plans for a levy.

“Many destinations around the world use visitor levies to empower and enhance their local areas for the benefit of visitors and locals alike – I am confident this will be the case here in Wales.”

However, the proposal have come in for criticism from some quarters, with Welsh Conservatives reiterating their concerns this week, pointing to a slow recovery in Cadw site visitations, so far failing to reach pre-Covid levels, highlighting that the Labour Government’s tourism tax, could jeopardise the recovery.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Tourism Tom Giffard MS said: “The news that visitors are slowly coming back to see the wonders that Wales has to offer is a much needed positive for the struggling tourism sector.

“With a tourism tax from the Labour Government looming, I can only hope that this does not slow footfall just as numbers recover by putting off future visitors to our beautiful nation.

“With tourism employing 1-in-7 people in Wales, the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay must support this crucial sector, not keep hampering it with policies like a toxic tourism tax that would further push visitors away and put jobs at risk.”

The proposals have also come in for criticism from the Visit Pembrokeshire organisation who said that it was “very disappointed” at the announcement.

“It’s disheartening to hear that the strong opposition from the trade across Wales has not been listened to,” said Emma Thornton, Visit Pembrokeshire’s chief executive.