Isle of Anglesey County Council is considering introducing a visitor levy for all eligible holiday accommodation and overnight stays as specified in the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc (Wales) Act 2025 within the local authority area from 1 October 2027.
This will be for all accommodation providers who will have to register on a national register of accommodation providers.
Tourism retains a position of immense importance economically to the Isle of Anglesey, retaining upwards of 3,500 employees in visitor related businesses, and generating upwards of £360m annually.
However, the nature of the product and its impact on the island is evolving and requires a transition to a more sustainable and empathetic model which ensures business success and economic enhancements while sustaining and enhancing the special qualities of the island.
This is mirrored throughout Wales, and it is for this reason that Welsh Government intends to introduce a statutory register of accommodation providers and the option for local authorities to implement a visitor levy (from 2027 onwards) to contribute towards a more sustainable tourism model and to raise additional revenue for reinvestment.
The proposals have been influenced and informed by good practice examples from other countries including mainland Europe where a visitor levy is commonplace.
The introduction of the levy is not a statutory requirement and will not be a blanket approach across the whole of Wales. Each local authority is being asked to formally consult on the planned introduction in advance of making a formal decision on whether to introduce the levy or not (on a county-by-county basis).
Isle of Anglesey County Council understands that the introduction of such a levy brings with it both positives and negatives, and these need to be fully understood to enable a decision on the introduction of the levy.
Critical to this decision-making process is the consultation process and we are grateful to all who take the time to respond to this consultation. Economic and equality impact assessments have been undertaken and are available to the public to help inform responses.
Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc (Wales) ACT: policy summary
About the levy
- The proposed visitor levy will be a local tax levied on overnight stays in visitor accommodation (hotels, bed and breakfasts, cottages, campsites and so on).
- Visitor levies are used throughout the world and are common on mainland Europe. More and more examples are being seen in the UK with Scotland also seeking to develop a national levy, and cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh having already introduced such schemes.
Who the levy would apply to
This will be for all accommodation providers who will have to register on a national register of accommodation providers.
Two rates would be applied which are:
- Lower levy rate - 75 pence per person per night for:
- shared rooms in hostels, bunkhouses, bothies or dormitories
- pitches for tents (including the temporary ones for events and festivals)
- Higher levy rate - £1.30 per person per night for all other types of accommodation, such as:
- hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses
- self-catering lets, including:
- lodges
- chalets
- cottages
- holiday lets
- caravan parks
- shepherd’s huts
- glamping sites
- homestays (like Airbnb)
- pitches for caravans, motorhomes or campervans
- temporary accommodation for events (such as glamping pods for festivals)
Exceptions
When you will not be expected to pay the levy
- Under 18 years of age and staying in a tented camp or shared room (such as a hostel or dorm).
- Stays for more than 31 nights in one stay; and
- In emergency or temporary accommodation arranged by a local council.
Refunds
The following will be eligible to apply for a refund from the Welsh Revenue Authority:
- Disabled people who pay additional levy costs when they have a carer.
- People fleeing domestic violence.
Income generation and use of the additional resource
- It is suggested that the proposed budget for Anglesey should be calculated at a conservative figure of £1.5m in the first year that the levy is implemented locally, but it is anticipated that this figure will be higher considering the gaps in the data and the huge difference between the data figures used.
- If all local authorities used a visitor levy it would generate up to an estimated £33million per annum across Wales (based on agreed rates of £0.75 for campsite pitches and hostels and £1.30 for all other accommodation types).
- Revenues generated in a local authority area are returned to that area for reinvestment/ distribution to support the visitor economy and help manage the impacts of visitors.
- Use of the levy is restricted for 'destination management and enhancement' purposes. In the context of Wales the following areas are highlighted in the act:
- mitigate the impact visitors have
- providing, maintaining and improving infrastructure, facilities and services for use by visitors (whether or not they are also for use by local people)
- promoting and supporting the sustainable economic growth of tourism and other forms of travel
- maintaining and promoting the use of the Welsh language
Governance of process
- Prior consultation with local businesses, stakeholders and communities would need to be undertaken in advance of making a formal decision on whether to introduce the levy or not.
- A visitor levy forum would be established with local businesses, communities and partners to help navigate the process, ensure an informed discussion, and consider appropriate use of additional resources derived from the Levy.
- The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) would collect and manage the visitor levy, remitting revenues to local authorities following the end of the tax year (April).
- The Welsh Revenue Authority will deduct ongoing operational costs from those revenues received.
- The local authority would need to conduct and annual review and submit a report to Welsh Government on appropriate use of the additional resource.
Have your say
The consultation will close on 13 July 2026.
Go to the online questionniare
If you have any questions, please email tourism@anglesey.gov.wales
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