Visitor levy for overnight stays in Wales becomes law
Visitor levy for overnight stays in Wales becomes law
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A new visitor levy giving Welsh councils the power to charge tourists for overnight stays has become law after receiving Royal Assent.
The Visitor Levy Bill allows councils to introduce a small charge on accommodation, with all money reinvested locally to support tourism. Councils will be able to use the funds for improvements such as toilets, footpaths, beaches, visitor centres and activities.
The levy will be administered by the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA), which will also run a new national register of all visitor accommodation providers. Registration will be mandatory for anyone charging overnight stays from autumn 2026, though there is no cost to register. The earliest a levy could be introduced by councils is 2027.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “The visitor levy represents a small contribution that will make a big difference by helping to maintain and enhance the very attractions that make Wales such a wonderful place to visit and live.
“This historic legislation gives Wales the same tools used so successfully by destinations all over the world to balance the benefits and pressures of tourism between visitors and residents.”
Rebecca Godfrey, interim chief executive of the WRA, added: “We’re delighted to support local authorities with the collection of the levy and implement the new visitor accommodation register.
“Our proven track record managing Wales’ devolved taxes means we are well positioned to administer the register and levy efficiently. We’ll work with providers and the industry to help everyone prepare for autumn 2026.”
Under the law, the levy will be set at 75p per person per night for hostels and campsites, and £1.30 for other accommodation types. Under-18s staying in shared accommodation will be exempt.
The Welsh Government said the measures will provide better data for councils, government and communities on how visitor accommodation is used, while ensuring money raised is reinvested into the tourism sector.
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