Questions have been raised as to whether the Welsh Government has taken the right path in tackling the housing crisis and rise in second homes in Wales as fears many will avoid the new tourism tax. Last week the government launched a consultation detailing how they aim to "establish a level playing field for all visitor accommodation businesses" operating in the tourism sector.
Under this, new licencing - or tourism tax - would affect all types of visitor accommodation. These include “A room, group of rooms, structure or building, plot of land for siting of temporary transient accommodation, temporary or transient accommodation (caravan, motorhome, tent or other temporary structure), or boat which is not a person’s fixed address.”
There have longe been calls from the tourism industry to introduce a new registration system to increase statutory and professional compliance among casual letting and pop-up accommodation providers. However, as a result of the new Welsh Government consultations concerns have been raised about its delivery, and whether some operators will be able to avoid the new charge.
