The Welsh self-catering sector has expressed strong disappointment at the Welsh Government’s decision to pursue only minor technical changes to the 182-day letting threshold, while failing to address the central and overwhelming concern raised throughout the consultation that the threshold itself is simply too high.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the consultation on local tax rules for self-catering properties.

Two tweaks are coming from April 1, 2026 as follows

:• Operators who narrowly miss 182 days let will be allowed to average letting over multiple years.

• Up to 14 charity donation days can count towards the letting total.

However, the Professional Association for Self-Caterers (PASC UK) has stated that this does not fix the core problem, but just amounts to little more than ‘moving the deckchairs around’.

A spokesperson PASC UK said: “This represents a clear missed opportunity. During the consultation, the Cabinet Secretary explicitly invited respondents to comment on all aspects of the 182-day policy. The consultation responses did exactly that — repeatedly and consistently.

“A substantial majority of self-catering operators stated that the 182-day requirement is unrealistic and unachievable in the current tourism market. That evidence has not been acted upon.”

Visitor numbers across Wales continue to face sustained pressure, but despite this, the 182-day threshold remains fixed and inflexible, bearing no relation to market conditions, PASC UK stated.

“As a result, at least 40% of long-established Welsh micro-businesses are unable to meet the requirement. Businesses are closing, livelihoods are being lost, and local economies are being weakened — outcomes that directly contradict Welsh Labour’s stated commitment to protecting Welsh communities and the Welsh economy,” the spokesperson continued.

“The sector engaged constructively with the consultation in good faith. Operators trusted the process and expected their evidence to be reflected in meaningful policy change. While any measure that offers limited flexibility is welcomed, the Government’s response amounts to minor administrative adjustments rather than addressing the root cause of the problem.

“Simply put: if the 182-day threshold were reduced to a realistic level, the need for these complex workarounds would disappear altogether.”

PASC UK Cymru's Nicky Williamson commented: “I can predict that the response from the sector today will be one of deep disappointment. Disappointment that clear evidence has been ignored, and disappointment at the lack of meaningful support from a Government that claims to want to protect Welsh businesses, communities and heritage — yet is doing the opposite.

“These are real Welsh businesses operating under intense and unsustainable pressure. They are rooted in their communities, employ local people, support local suppliers and sustain year-round economic activity. This policy failure puts all of that at risk.”

“This is a significant loss of opportunity. PASC UK Cymru will now be campaigning for all political parties in Wales to commit to reducing the 182-day threshold in their tourism manifestos ahead of this year’s Senedd elections.”

Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz says that the threshold should be dropped to 105 days to give the tourism industry and economy the boost it needs.