Wales tourism tax: caravan and motorhome owners face steepest cost hike

Industry organizations warn that Wales' tourism levy of £1.30 per person per night will disproportionately increase costs for touring caravan and motorhome owners. For a family of five paying an average pitch fee of £25, this represents a 26% increase, while a guest at a five-star hotel would see only a 1% rise. The sector is calling for the government to review the system and implement a single, lower flat rate for all campsite pitches.

Industry associations warn that the Welsh Government's proposed tourism levy could increase the cost of low-cost family trips with touring caravans and motorhomes by over 25%. Under the proposal, a levy of £1.30 per person per night would apply regardless of accommodation type, adding a 26% surcharge for a family of five on a £25-per-night pitch. The Caravan and Motorhome Club and parks association are calling for a review of the system, arguing it unfairly equates budget holidays with five-star hotel stays.

The proposed Welsh tourism levy of £1.30 per person per night will disproportionately increase costs for touring caravan and motorhome users on campsites. For a family of five paying an average pitch fee of £25, this equates to a 26% cost increase, compared to just a 1% increase for a single person in a £130 five-star hotel. Industry associations warn this tiering system could drive holidaymakers away from managed sites to informal parking areas.

The proposed Welsh tourism levy of £1.30 per person per night will disproportionately increase the cost of holidays for touring caravan and motorhome owners. For a family of five paying an average pitch fee of £25, this equates to a 26% cost increase, compared to just 1% for a guest in a five-star hotel. Industry associations are calling for a review of the taxation system.

Families staying in their own touring caravans or motorhomes on Welsh caravan and camping sites will face a disproportionate 26% increase in the cost of their breaks if a tourism levy is introduced next year. The Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) and the Caravan and Motorhome Club have criticised the Welsh Government's proposed tiering system. The levy is set at £1.30 per person per night regardless of accommodation cost, adding £6.50 per night for a family of five. With an average pitch fee of £25 per night for a touring caravan or motorhome, this represents a 26% increase, compared to a 1% increase for a business traveller in a five-star hotel costing £130 per night.

A tourism levy of £1.30 per person per night is set to be introduced in Wales from 2027. A family of five staying in a caravan or motorhome would face a 26% cost increase, while a guest at a five-star hotel would pay only 1% more. Industry associations are calling for a review of the system due to its disproportionate impact on budget holidays.