May 14, 2026 - 225 views
Councillors in Conwy County Borough have agreed to launch a public consultation on whether a Visitor Levy should be introduced on overnight stays across the county.
At the council’s AGM today, members gave permission for an independent consultation process to begin following new powers introduced by the Welsh Government.
The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill was approved by Senedd Cymru in July 2025 and later received Royal Assent, giving local authorities the option of introducing a tourism tax on overnight accommodation.
Conwy Council says no final decision has yet been made and that the consultation will allow businesses, residents, visitors and tourism stakeholders to share their views before councillors decide later this year whether to proceed.
Cllr Sharon Doleman, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Communications, said: “I welcome the opportunity to consult on the Visitor Levy with stakeholders, businesses, residents and tourists. The responses of those engaging with the consultation will provide the elected members with invaluable feedback enabling members to make an informed democratic decision on this important matter.
“We know there’s considerable interest in the Visitor Levy in Conwy, which is why we’ve engaged an independent company to carry out a consultation to gauge local opinion.”
The prospect of a levy has sparked strong debate across North Wales’ tourism industry, with supporters arguing it could generate much-needed funding for local infrastructure, while critics fear it may discourage visitors at a time when many businesses are already under financial pressure.
Some tourism operators believe a small overnight charge could help councils invest in services heavily used during peak holiday periods, including public toilets, beach cleaning, car parks, footpaths and environmental protection.
Supporters also point to examples in European tourist destinations where visitor taxes are already common and say the money could help maintain the quality of destinations that attract millions of visitors each year.
Others within the industry, however, are concerned the levy could make North Wales less competitive compared with English holiday destinations where no equivalent charge exists.
Owners of smaller hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation have warned that even a modest additional cost could influence family budgets, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Some businesses also fear additional administration and paperwork linked to collecting and managing the levy.
Tourism remains one of the biggest economic drivers in North Wales, supporting thousands of jobs across hospitality, retail and attractions in areas including Llandudno, Betws-y-Coed and Conwy.
The consultation results are expected to be presented to councillors later this year before a final decision is made on whether the levy should be introduced in Conwy County.
