Business

Wales Tourism Alliance criticises Mark Drakeford’s visitor levy evidence

Published

10 months ago

February 14, 2025

THE WALES TOURISM ALLIANCE has strongly criticised comments made by Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, during his evidence session to the Welsh Government Finance Committee regarding the proposed Welsh Visitor Levy. The WTA argues that Drakeford’s remarks misrepresent the scale of the tourism industry and downplay the potential economic consequences of the levy.

What is the visitor levy?

The proposed Visitor Levy, commonly referred to as the “tourism tax,” would allow local authorities in Wales to introduce a charge on visitors staying in overnight accommodation. The Welsh Government argues that this levy would help support local infrastructure and services used by tourists. However, industry representatives and local businesses fear that it will deter visitors, particularly in key tourism-dependent areas such as Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire, home to one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations, Tenby, relies heavily on tourism revenue. Business owners, accommodation providers, and tourism operators in the county have expressed significant concerns that the levy could put off visitors, leading to reduced spending in local shops, restaurants, and attractions. Many have pointed out that, with the cost-of-living crisis already squeezing holiday budgets, an additional charge could push visitors to choose alternative destinations outside Wales.

Employment figures disputed

Drakeford claimed that the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales employs “a million” people and would not struggle to absorb the loss of several hundred jobs due to the levy. He also suggested that many tourism jobs are seasonal, have flexible hours, and are high-churn, implying that job losses would be manageable.

However, the WTA strongly disputes these figures, citing Welsh Government data that places the number of people employed in the sector at approximately 159,000. Given this significantly lower number, the loss of even a few hundred jobs would be far more impactful than Drakeford suggests. Furthermore, the WTA argues that seasonal and part-time jobs play a crucial role in providing employment opportunities, particularly for young people and those with caregiving responsibilities, such as parents and carers—groups that may struggle to find work in other sectors.

Concerns over data reliability

Drakeford also accused industry representatives, including the WTA, of selectively using worst-case scenario data in their evidence to the committee. The WTA rejects this claim, arguing that the data underpinning the Visitor Levy’s economic impact assessment is flawed and unreliable.

This concern was echoed by Professor Calvin Jones, the author of the Welsh Government’s own Visitor Levy Economic Impact Assessment. In his evidence to the Finance Committee, Jones stated: “We know very little about how the tourism economy in Wales works… we know very little about what drives visitors to come to Wales; we know almost nothing about how much they’re spending when they’re here… there isn’t even any data anymore on… how much is spent on accommodation… it should be a very uncomfortable place for Senedd Members to be when they’re trying to make policy or audit policy on tourism.”

Impact on families and educational visits

Drakeford defended the inclusion of children in the Visitor Levy by comparing it to VAT on sweets, arguing that children are not generally exempt from taxation. However, the WTA points out that this analogy is flawed, as children’s clothing, shoes, and books are zero-rated for VAT in the UK. The WTA also highlights that many other countries with tourism taxes exclude under-18s from such charges.

The per-person nature of the levy means that families will be disproportionately affected. For instance, two adults staying in accommodation for a week would pay a levy of £21, whereas a family of six would pay £63 for the same stay. Moreover, the WTA raises concerns that the levy will also apply to children on school trips and educational visits, adding an extra financial burden on families and schools.

Impact on Pembrokeshire’s tourism sector

Pembrokeshire businesses, particularly those in coastal tourist hotspots like Tenby, Saundersfoot, and St Davids, are among those voicing the strongest opposition to the levy. Many fear that it will discourage visitors from choosing Welsh destinations, instead opting for other parts of the UK or even holidaying abroad.

Tourism plays a vital role in Pembrokeshire’s economy, providing employment for thousands and sustaining local businesses. According to industry figures, over 4 million visitors come to Pembrokeshire each year, contributing hundreds of millions to the local economy. Hospitality providers in the region have warned that the levy could have serious repercussions, particularly for independent hotels, B&Bs, and campsites that rely on high occupancy levels during peak season to remain viable year-round.

A local B&B owner in Tenby, speaking to The Herald, said: “We are already seeing the effects of rising costs on bookings. If people are being asked to pay extra on top of accommodation prices, they will simply look elsewhere. We rely on repeat visitors and families who come year after year—this levy could drive them away.”

Wider economic impact

Drakeford dismissed the idea that the Visitor Levy would contribute to the cumulative challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality sector, stating that these issues “do not collide on all of the sector.”

The WTA strongly disagrees, asserting that tourism is a holistic industry where changes in one area inevitably impact others. They highlight several pressures already affecting tourism businesses, including:

The 182-day rule for self-catering properties.
National Insurance increases.
The removal of furnished holiday let tax relief.

According to the WTA, these combined factors are already forcing many small, locally-run self-catering businesses to close, further weakening the sector and putting more jobs at risk.

WTA’s final response

Rowland Rees-Evans, Chair of the WTA, criticised Drakeford’s approach, stating: “We are disappointed that Mr Drakeford is dismissing the valid concerns raised by industry experts and academics and making claims that are factually incorrect.

Many people in Wales are unaware that the Visitor Levy will apply to anyone staying in ‘Visitor Accommodation’—including children on educational visits and people working away from home, even if they already live in Wales.

The bottom line is that the Visitor Levy will cost people in Wales money and jobs—even in the best-case scenario presented by the Welsh Government. Mr Drakeford seems content to push through a policy that is poorly conceived, offers no guaranteed financial benefit to Wales, and threatens hundreds of jobs in an industry that employs over 20% of the workforce in some parts of the country.

Given the current economic climate, it is difficult to understand why the person responsible for managing the Welsh budget would consider imposing such a levy at this time.”

The debate over the proposed Visitor Levy continues, with industry representatives calling for more robust data, a clearer assessment of economic consequences, and a reconsideration of its implementation before the policy is finalised.

Business

Community council objections to Tenby Lidl store scheme

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a new store on the edge of Tenby by retail giant Lidl, which has seen objections from the local community council, are likely to be heard next year.

In an application recently lodged with Pembrokeshire County Council back in October, Lidl GB Ltd, through agent CarneySweeney, seeks permission for a new 1,969sqm store on land at Park House Court, Narberth Road, New Hedges/Tenby, to the north of the Park Court Nursing Home.

The proposals for the latest specification Lidl store, which includes 103 parking spaces, would create 40 jobs, the applicants say.

The application follows draft proposals submitted in 2024 and public consultations on the scheme, with a leaflet drop delivered to 8,605 local properties; an information website, with online feedback form; and a public exhibition, held last December at the De Valence Pavillion in Tenby, with a follow-up community event held at New Hedges Village Hall, close to the site, publicised through an additional postcard issued to 2,060 properties.

Some 1,365 responses have been received, with 89 per cent of respondents expressing support for the proposals, the applicants say.

A supporting statement says: “Lidl is now exceptionally well established in the UK with the Company operating c.980 stores from sites and premises both within and outside town centres. Its market share continues to increase substantially, and the company is expanding its store network considerably. The UK operational model is based firmly on the success of Lidl’s operations abroad with more than 10,800 stores trading across Europe.

It adds: “The granting of planning permission for the erection of a new Lidl food store would increase the retail offer and boost the local economy. The new Lidl food store would create up to 40 employment opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, providing opportunities for training and career development. This in turn will create an upward spiral of economic benefits.”

Local community council St Mary Out Liberty Community Council has formally objected to the scheme, saying that, while it supports the scheme for a Lidl store in principle, recognising “the economic benefits a new retail store could bring,” it says the proposed location “is unsuitable, conflicts with planning policy, and cannot be supported in its current form”.

Its objections add: “The A478 is heavily congested in peak tourist months. A supermarket would worsen congestion, increase turning movements, and heighten risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency access.”

It also raises concerns on the potential impact through “noise, lighting, traffic disturbance, and loss of quiet amenity” on a neighbouring residential care home.

An initial assessment by Pembrokeshire County Council, highlighted concerns about the visual impact, with the authority’s landscape officer commenting that the store would introduce “an intense urban function into an otherwise rural context”.

The report added: “It is not considered to be compatible with the character of the site and the area within which it is located; and furthermore, will lead to a harmful visual impact on the setting of the National Park.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Business

Senedd approves £116m transitional relief for business rates

Published

2 days ago

December 17, 2025

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

BUSINESSES facing sharp hikes in tax bills after the 2026 revaluation will see increases phased in over two years after the Senedd backed a new transitional relief scheme.

Senedd Members unanimously approved regulations to help businesses which face significant rises in non-domestic rates bills after a revaluation taking effect in April 2026.

The Welsh Government estimates the transitional relief will support 25,000 ratepayers at a cost of £77m in 2026/27 and £39m in 2027/28. The partial relief covers 67% of the increase in the first year and 34% in the second.

Mark Drakeford, Wales’ finance secretary, stressed the £116m scheme comes on top of permanent rate reliefs which are currently worth £250m a year. He said ratepayers for two-thirds of properties will pay no bill at all or receive some level of relief.

The former First Minister told the Senedd: “In providing this transitional relief scheme, we are closely replicating the scheme of relief we provided following the 2023 revaluation – supporting all areas of the tax base in a consistent and straightforward manner.”

The Conservatives’ Sam Rowlands expressed his party’s support for the transitional relief scheme which will help ratepayers facing sharp increases after the 2026 revaluation.

He said: “We are grateful that the Welsh Government has at least brought forward a scheme that will soften the immediate impact for thousands of Welsh businesses.

“We also understand that if these regulations are not approved or supported… this relief scheme will not be in existence. Many businesses across Wales would face steep increases with no protection at all and that is certainly not an outcome we would want.”

But the shadow finance secretary warned businesses up and down Wales are worried about the increase in rates that they are liable to pay.

Advocating scrapping rates for all small businesses in Wales, Mr Rowlands said: “We’ve heard first-hand from many of those in the hospitality and leisure sector, some of whom are facing increases of over 100% in the tax rates they are expected to pay.”

Responding as the Senedd signed off on the scheme on December 16, Prof Drakeford said the Welsh Government had to wait for the UK budget to know if funding was available. As a result of the time constraints, the regulations were not subject to formal consultation.

Prof Drakeford agreed with Mr Rowlands that voting against the regulations would not improve support, only eliminate the transitional relief package before the Senedd.

Earlier in Tuesday’s Senedd proceedings, former Tory group leader Paul Davies warned Welsh businesses have already been hit with some of the highest business rates in the UK.

He said: “The latest business rates revaluation has meant that some businesses are now facing rises of several hundred per cent compared with previous assessments…

“Whilst I appreciate that a transitional relief scheme will help some businesses manage these changes, the reality is that for many businesses it’s not enough and some businesses will be forced into a position where they will have to close.”

Business

Pembrokeshire industrial jobs ‘could be at risk’ as parties clash over investment

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRADE unions have warned that hundreds of industrial jobs in Pembrokeshire could be at risk without stronger long-term support for Welsh manufacturing, as political parties set out competing approaches ahead of the Senedd elections.

TUC Cymru says its analysis suggests 939 industrial jobs in Pembrokeshire could be vulnerable if investment in clean industrial upgrades were withdrawn, warning that policies proposed by Reform UK, and to a lesser extent the Conservatives, pose the greatest risk to industrial employment.

The warning comes as the union body launched its “Save Welsh Industry – No More Site Closures!” campaign at events in Deeside and Swansea, calling on all political parties to commit to a five-point plan to protect and future-proof Welsh industry.

According to TUC Cymru, jobs at risk locally include 434 in automotive supply chains, 183 in rubber and plastics and 75 in glass manufacturing. The union body says these sectors rely on continued investment to remain competitive and avoid offshoring.

TUC Cymru said its modelling focused on industries most exposed to closure or relocation if industrial modernisation and decarbonisation are not delivered. It argues that without sustained public and private investment, Welsh manufacturing faces further decline.

A GMB member working at Valero in Pembrokeshire said: “It’s clear Nigel Farage has no clear plan. I can see this industry collapsing under his policies. We need support, not division. His way will lead to job losses across the board and the lights will go out.”

The union body stressed that all parties need to strengthen their industrial policies, but claimed Reform UK’s stated opposition to net zero-related investment would place the largest number of jobs at risk across Wales, estimating that almost 40,000 industrial jobs nationally could be affected. Conservative policies were also criticised, though the TUC said the likelihood of job losses under the Conservatives was lower.

Labour has rejected claims that Welsh industry is being neglected, pointing to recent investment announcements made at the Wales Investment Summit, where more than £16bn worth of projects were highlighted as being in the pipeline across Wales.

Ministers said the summit demonstrated growing investor confidence, with projects linked to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, ports, digital infrastructure and battery storage, and thousands of jobs expected as schemes move from planning into delivery.

Labour has argued that public investment is being used to unlock private sector funding, particularly in industrial regions, and says modernising industry is essential to keeping Welsh manufacturing competitive while protecting long-term employment.

At UK level, the party has also highlighted its National Wealth Fund and GB Energy commitments, which it says will support domestic supply chains, reduce long-term energy costs for industry and help secure both existing and future jobs.

Opposition parties and some business groups have questioned whether all announced projects will translate into permanent employment, arguing that greater clarity is needed on timescales and delivery.

Reform UK has argued that scrapping net zero policies would cut public spending and reduce costs for households and businesses, while the Conservatives have pledged to roll back climate-related targets and reduce regulation on industry.

Unions dispute those claims, warning that higher electricity prices and a lack of investment would make Welsh industry less competitive internationally.

TUC Cymru President Tom Hoyles said Welsh industry needed urgent action from all parties to survive and thrive in the 21st century, warning that policies which sought to turn back the clock could put thousands of Welsh jobs at risk.

With industrial areas including Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire also identified as facing significant pressures, the future of Welsh manufacturing is expected to remain a key political issue in the run-up to the Senedd elections.