NDM8259 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Tourism

NDM8259 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that 15 – 23 May is Wales Tourism Week 2023.

2. Recognises the vital contribution made to Welsh society by the tourism sector.

3. Regrets that the tourism industry has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) celebrate Wales’s strength as a world-class tourist destination;

b) encourage the provision and improvement of tourist amenities and facilities in Wales;

c) support self-catering accommodation providers by repealing the 182-day occupancy threshold;

d) abandon damaging proposals for a tourism tax in Wales.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after 4b and replace with new points:

Supports the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s definition of sustainable tourism development.

Notes The Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022 passed by the Senedd in July, introduced as part of a wider commitment to address the issues of second homes and unaffordable housing facing many communities in Wales.

Welcomes the discretionary powers and guidance on council tax and second homes, made available to local authorities, to reduce or remove the requirement to pay either or both of the premium or the standard rate of council tax. 

Recognises that visitor levies are commonplace across the world, are used to the benefit of local communities, tourists and businesses, helping make tourism sustainable and successful.

Welcomes the commitment to give local authorities the power to introduce a visitor levy should they choose to, subject to consultation. 

United Nations World Tourism Organisation - Sustainable Development

The Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022

Guidance on Council Tax on Empty and Second Homes