A TOURISM TAX would devastate Wales by “grinding” jobs and businesses “into the ground”, two leading politicians have warned.
This month, the Welsh Government announced that a formal consultation on proposals for a tourism tax will launch in the autumn.
The announcement triggered widespread condemnation by the tourism industry in Wales.
And this week, Peter Fox, the Member of the Senedd for Monmouth and Shadow Minister for Finance, and Tom Giffard, Member of the Senedd for South Wales West and Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, visited a Welsh tourism hotspot – Monmouthshire – to pledge their continued support to the vital industry.
Mr Fox said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Tom to Monmouthshire which is widely regarded as the showcase of Welsh tourism.
“But worryingly, tourism in this area – and elsewhere in Wales – would be under threat, if the Welsh Government imposes its tourism tax. The tax would devastate Wales’ tourism sector by hammering jobs and businesses.
“Welsh Government Ministers need to understand that the fallout isn’t worth the risk. We urgently need to help businesses, not grind them into the ground.”
Mr Giffard said:
“The Welsh Government’s plan to pursue a tourism tax is utterly illogical, given it would undoubtedly create a black hole underneath our economy.
“Welsh Government Ministers need to understand that jobs and businesses would collapse under this tax and, once they have disappeared, they will not come back.
“Therefore, I will do everything I can to prevent the Welsh Government imposing such a disastrous tax on to Welsh tourism.”
ENDS/
Editors’ notes:
Tourism is a key pillar to the Welsh economy, with an estimated economic contribution totalling more than £5 billion in 2019 alone.
Picture shows Tom Giffard and Peter Fox at the Kymin.
