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Cardiff is considering introducing a tourist levy of £1.30 per night for overnight stays in the city, with the revenue intended to support major events such as the upcoming Oasis reunion concerts. This would mark the capital as the first place in Wales to formally consult the public on the introduction of such a charge. According to Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas, the levy is expected to generate around £3.5 million annually. The funds raised would be directed toward managing the impact of large-scale events and enhancing the visitor experience, rather than being used to cover general council budget shortfalls.
The council has opened a consultation process, with plans to potentially implement the levy by April 2027. Mr. Thomas emphasized the importance of balancing the growth of the tourism sector with adequate resources to support visitors and local communities when major events take place. “We want to grow the tourist economy in Cardiff, we want to see more people come to our city, but we also want to be able to have the resource to give those visitors a great time,” he said. The council intends to use the income not only to mitigate event impacts but also to attract new opportunities and promote the city internationally.
This tourist tax proposal follows new Welsh government legislation that permits local authorities to introduce levies, contingent upon public consultation. While Cardiff is currently the only council in Wales to have launched a full consultation, several others such as Anglesey, Blaenau Gwent, and Conwy are exploring similar initiatives. However, some councils like Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire have decided against pursuing a visitor levy. Cardiff’s plans have drawn attention from English cities, with Mr. Thomas noting they are “looking at us with a bit of envy” given the potential benefits a levy could bring.
Hospitality sector representatives in Cardiff have responded cautiously to the proposal. Dave Sultana, who manages city centre wardens, highlighted that additional funding from the levy could expand their team and improve their service during busy periods, describing wardens as “like a mobile tourist information board.” Meanwhile, Nick Newman, a local business director, acknowledged the need for investment but urged the council to ensure that funds raised would be spent effectively to enhance the city’s appeal. He stressed the importance of public engagement, saying it’s “really important” people participate in the consultation to “get the process right, get the consultation right, and get the spending right.”
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