May 21, 2026 - 172 views
Residents, businesses and visitors are being asked for their views on the possible introduction of a visitor levy in Conwy County.
Conwy County Borough Council have today launched a public consultation on whether a levy should be charged on overnight stays in visitor accommodation across the county.
The consultation follows new powers introduced by the Welsh Government allowing local authorities to decide whether to bring in a tourism tax in their own areas.
Sharon Doleman, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Communications, said the council wanted to gather a wide range of views before any decision is made.
“We know there’s considerable interest in the Visitor Levy in Conwy, which is why we’ve engaged an independent company to carry out this consultation to gauge local opinion,” she said.
“The responses we receive will help councillors make an informed democratic decision on this important matter.”
The consultation questionnaire and full details are available through the council’s website, while a series of public drop-in sessions and hospitality sector events are also being planned and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Paper copies of the consultation are also available from tourist information centres, libraries and council offices across the county, including locations in Conwy, Llandudno, Llandudno Junction and Colwyn Bay.
The consultation will run for just over eight weeks, with responses required by July 17.
The results will later be presented to councillors, who are expected to debate whether a visitor levy should be introduced in Conwy County.
The move comes after the Welsh Government introduced legislation giving councils the option to charge visitors staying overnight in hotels, guesthouses, self-catering accommodation and other tourist lodgings.
The Senedd Cymru approved the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill in July 2025, with Royal Assent granted in September the same year.
Under the legislation, councils are not required to introduce a levy but must carry out a formal consultation process before making a decision.
Councillors at Conwy’s annual general meeting earlier this month approved plans for the consultation to go ahead.
The issue is expected to generate significant debate, particularly in tourism-dependent areas such as Llandudno, Conwy and Betws-y-Coed, where the visitor economy plays a major role in supporting local jobs and businesses.
