Monmouthshire Council Rules Out Tourism Tax in Visitor Hotspot

Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for tourism, Councillor Sara Burch, has stated that the council has no intention of introducing a tourism tax, also known as a visitor levy, in a popular visitor hotspot within the administration. The Welsh Government has approved legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a £1.30 per visitor, per night charge on overnight stays, but it is up to individual authorities to decide if they wish to use this power. Monmouthshire has seen a significant increase in tourism, with an estimated 2.29 million visitors in 2023 generating £329m for the local economy and supporting 3,462 full-time equivalent jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• Monmouthshire County Council will not introduce a tourism tax in a popular visitor hotspot within the current administration.
• The Welsh Government has approved legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a £1.30 per visitor, per night charge on overnight stays.
• If every council in Wales introduced the charge, it could raise up to £33m a year to invest in services and infrastructure to support tourism.
• Monmouthshire has seen a significant increase in tourism, with 2.29 million visitors in 2023 generating £329m for the local economy and supporting 3,462 full-time equivalent jobs.
• Councillor Sara Burch stated that the council will hold talks with tourism operators before considering whether to introduce a charge, citing the need for further discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the tax.
• The council is working with tourism providers on destination management plans to strengthen the Monmouthshire tourism partnership and discuss potential discussions on the visitor levy.
• Conservative councillor Richard John expressed concerns about the potential negative economic impact of the tourism tax, citing the additional cost for families visiting the Wye Valley.

Statistics:

• 2.29 million visitors to Monmouthshire in 2023 (Source: Monmouthshire County Council)
• £329m generated for the local economy in 2023 (Source: Monmouthshire County Council)
• 3,462 full-time equivalent jobs supported by tourism in Monmouthshire in 2023 (Source: Monmouthshire County Council)
• Estimated £33m per year raised by the tourism tax if introduced by every council in Wales (Source: Welsh Government)
• £1.30 per visitor, per night charge on overnight stays (Source: Welsh Government)
• 75 pence per person, per night charge for hostels and campsites (Source: Welsh Government)
• £40 additional cost for a family of four staying in Monmouthshire with the tourism tax (Source: Conservative councillor Richard John)

Sources:

• Monmouthshire County Council
• Welsh Government
• Councillor Sara Burch
• Councillor Richard John