Conwy officers recommend waiting before introducing visitor levy

Conwy council officers recommend waiting before introducing a visitor levy, saying councillors need stronger evidence and experience to judge its effects. The recommendation is to defer a decision on implementation, rather than approve the charge now. The levy would be a charge on overnight stays in visitor accommodation.

Their report says waiting would allow Conwy to learn from other Welsh councils and draw on better accommodation data. It identifies uncertainty about how visitors would respond and what that would mean for accommodation businesses and the wider economy.

The report’s central scenario estimates about £2.1 million a year for visitor infrastructure and related improvements. That is modelled revenue, dependent on tourism data and behavioural assumptions, rather than money already collected or a guaranteed return.

The consultation found more opposition than support among those who answered its main question. Of 985 valid answers, 612 opposed or tended to oppose a levy, 333 supported or tended to support it, and 40 were neutral or unsure.

Those figures are 62.1%, 33.8% and 4.1% respectively. The survey produced 1,210 records overall, but not everyone answered the main question.

Participation was voluntary and self-selecting, so the findings are not a representative poll of all residents, businesses or visitors. Different questions attracted different numbers of answers. Predictions about cancelled trips or economic damage remain respondents’ expectations unless supported by separate evidence.

The council’s published timetable sends the report to full council on 24 September. The Welsh Revenue Authority says Conwy’s decision will be announced after that date. The officer recommendation does not establish what councillors will decide.