UKH Cymru: Exempt kids from Visitor Levy to protect family holidays

UKH Cymry has pressed the Welsh government to amend its Visitor Levy plans to exclude children from the tax to protect family holidays. 

News comes after the trade body appeared at the Senedd’s Finance Committee yesterday (5 February) to outline the impact the levy would have on family holidays to Wales if the plans remain unchanged.

Exempting children would bring Wales in line with other European nations that implemented a Visitor Levy that excludes children, like France and Belgium. 

The trade body also made the case for the Welsh government to include specific clauses in the legislation to limit spending of raised funds to areas that “demonstrably, tangibly and directly” benefit tourism. 

UKH Cymru has called the current spending proposals “too broad”, and suggested amending them to ensure that funds can be spent “on genuine efforts to promote Welsh tourism, better manage destinations and increase Wales’ reputation as a visitor destination”.

In addition, the trade body opposes using levy funds to replace existing funding by local authorities. 

David Chapman, executive director of UKH Cymru, said: “Families across the UK have great memories of holidaying in Wales – the stunning scenery, walks in the hills and ice cream on the beach. The visitor levy alone potentially pushes Wales down the pecking order of likely holiday destinations, and the decision to tax children is yet another reason for families to choose to go elsewhere.

“The Welsh government should make this change to bring us into line with other leading European nations and ensure that it doesn’t make visiting Wales more prohibitive. With the cost-of-living crisis still very real for families, this must be an equitable consideration for the Welsh government.”

He added: “I hope the committee recognises the need for these important changes to be made and make the appropriate recommendations to the Welsh government.”