Conservative Senedd Candidate for Cardiff South & Penarth Leighton Rowlands has called on the Welsh Government to take plans for a tourism tax off the table – immediately.
First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said recently he hadn’t ruled out imposing a levy on holiday accommodation – despite the sector being hammered by the effects of the pandemic.
Leighton Rowlands said: “Has the First Minister and his Liberal Democrat supporters failed to realise just how much pressure this vital sector.
“Tourism is already taxed enough, without the additional burden of being fleeced further.”
He added: “The years ahead will be vital in helping our tourism sector bounce back, yet sadly the Welsh Government are proposing this new tax which will deter visitors from coming to the Cardiff Bay & Penarth and will hit much needed visitor spend in our local shops, cafes, pubs and tourist attractions. Not only that – but the impact on local jobs will be devastating.”
Tourism is more important to the Welsh economy than in any other part of the UK, generating billions of pounds and supporting many thousands of jobs.”
Leighton Rowlands said: “I feel extraordinarily privileged to have the opportunity to represent a constituency that includes Penarth Pier, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Pierhead Building & Cardiff Bay Barrage we should not expect people to have to pay through the nose to come and visit us in one of the most beautiful parts of Wales.
