Concern has been raised that school trips to Wales could be at risk if a planned tourism tax is introduced. Scouts Cymru said the potential levy of £0.75 ($1) per child, per night, could mean low-income students miss out on camps and overnight stays. Meanwhile, a centre that provides residential courses for pupils from across the UK warned the charge could make trips unaffordable for some. Under proposals, guests at hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation would pay a £1.25 nightly tax from 2027 with a lower charge of 75p for hostels and campsites.
A Welsh government spokesperson argued that the levy, which would be introduced subject to local authority agreement, represented a “fair, straightforward approach” to its application. A teacher who has been bringing school groups from England to an outdoor centre in Llanrug for more than four decades fretted that some schools may sidestep Wales entirely to avoid increased costs. Karen Humphries said the residential courses were often “the week they remember” from their school years but added that the proposed tax would hit the poorest families disproportionately.
Gareth Davies, who manages the outdoor centre, warned that the tax could deter clients from disadvantaged backgrounds. The centre charges between £290 and £330 for a week-long stay, during which activities such as climbing, kayaking and hiking are offered. The facility operates a charity aimed at enabling children from less well-off families to enjoy week-long stays, with last month’s costs amounting to around £8,500. Davies believes centres offering residential experiences should be exempt from the proposed tax.
Cwmdeithas Yr Iaith, a Welsh language campaign group, argued that a tourism tax was “long overdue” and rejected the notion that it would deter visitors. Supporters of the levy have suggested the additional revenue could sustain the natural and built environment which attracts tourists to the country. However, Nicky Williamson from the Professional Association of Self Caterers for Wales criticised the proposed charge and stressed particular concern over its burden on low-income families and small businesses
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