Published on
September 19, 2025
Wales passed the Visitor Levy Bill, which has now been approved by the King, in an attempt to alleviate the strains of tourism and preserve its lively attractions. This law allows Welsh councils to impose a small fee on visitors’ overnight stays. The money raised will go directly toward supporting regional tourism projects, assisting in the preservation and enhancement of the very qualities that draw millions of visitors to Wales every year.
One important instrument for balancing the demands of locals and tourists is the visitor levy. It seeks to guarantee that the monetary gains from tourism also support the upkeep of the infrastructure and environment that make Wales such a well-liked travel destination. The purpose of the levy is to reduce the mounting strain on resources, increase the sustainability of tourism, and guarantee that Wales remains a fantastic destination for both visitors and residents.
How the Visitor Levy Will Work
Under the new law, Welsh councils are given the discretion to decide whether or not to impose the visitor levy in their areas. The levy will apply to all forms of overnight accommodation, with specific rates set for different types of lodgings. For example, those staying in hostels or campsites will be charged a small fee of 75p per person per night. For other types of accommodation, such as hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and guesthouses, the levy will be set at £1.30 per person per night.
This money will then be reinvested locally, allowing each council to decide how best to use the funds to support tourism. Potential uses of the revenue include improving public amenities such as toilets and footpaths, enhancing beaches, and upgrading visitor centres or local activities. The goal is to ensure that the money collected from visitors benefits both the local community and the overall tourism experience, enhancing the attractions that draw visitors to the region.
The Role of the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA)
To streamline the collection and management of the visitor levy, the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) will be tasked with overseeing the entire process. The WRA will ensure that the levy is collected efficiently from accommodation providers and that the funds are distributed according to local needs. The WRA’s role will also include managing a new national register for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales, which will be instrumental in gathering crucial data about the tourism sector.
This register, which is expected to be fully operational by autumn 2026, will be free for accommodation providers to sign up to, and it will require all businesses that charge for overnight stays to be registered. This will create a centralised system for the tourism industry in Wales, enabling better decision-making for councils, the Welsh Government, and local communities. With more accurate data, local authorities can better plan for the future and implement policies that support sustainable tourism growth.
Registration Requirement for Accommodation Providers
From autumn 2026, all accommodation providers in Wales that charge visitors for overnight stays will be required to register with the WRA. This process will provide a comprehensive view of the accommodation landscape across the country. While the registration will be free of charge, it will be compulsory, creating a unified database that can be accessed by local governments, industry professionals, and the public.
The visitor accommodation register will provide valuable insights into the demand for certain types of accommodation and help local authorities understand trends in tourism. By having access to this data, councils will be in a better position to make informed decisions about how to develop and manage tourism in their areas.
Exemptions to the Levy
The new visitor levy will not apply to all visitors. In a bid to ensure that the system is fair, certain groups will be exempt from the charge. Children under the age of 18 who stay in shared accommodation will not be subject to the levy. This means that families with children and other young visitors will not have to worry about the added cost of the levy during their stay in Wales.
These exemptions help make the system more equitable, ensuring that the levy only impacts those who are staying in paid accommodation while still allowing young visitors to enjoy the many attractions that Wales has to offer.
Potential for Broader Impact on Welsh Tourism
The introduction of the visitor levy represents a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of Wales’ tourism sector. By encouraging more investment into local tourism infrastructure, Wales is aiming to create a more balanced approach to tourism that benefits both visitors and residents. As tourism grows, so does the demand for better facilities and services, and the visitor levy is designed to meet that demand without overburdening local taxpayers.
This initiative aligns with similar strategies used by popular destinations worldwide, which have successfully implemented visitor levies to fund tourism-related improvements. These measures have helped those destinations better manage the pressures of large numbers of visitors while also ensuring that the local communities benefit from tourism in a more direct way.
Implementation Timeline
While the bill has now been passed, the earliest possible date for the implementation of the visitor levy will be 2027. This allows time for councils to consult with their communities and make informed decisions about whether or not to introduce the levy in their areas. By 2026, accommodation providers will need to register with the WRA, and by 2027, councils will be able to begin collecting the levy if they choose to do so.
The Future of Welsh Tourism
Wales is establishing itself as a pioneer in sustainable tourism management with the implementation of this new levy. In addition to supporting the local economy, the money collected from the visitor levy will help preserve the nation’s natural beauty. It is anticipated that this law will assist Wales in better balancing the demands of the tourism industry with the needs of its citizens.
In addition to providing immediate benefits to Wales, the visitor levy will influence the course of tourism for many years to come. The levy will help preserve the attractions that draw tourists from all over the world to Wales by guaranteeing that local communities have a direct say in how tourism is managed and that money is reinvested locally.
