Conwy defers visitor levy decision to gather more evidence
Archive article. Published on Sun 13 Sept, 13:20. Conditions may have changed since this reporting.
Conwy councillors have deferred a decision on introducing a visitor levy, agreeing that stronger evidence and practical experience are needed before deciding whether to charge for overnight stays. Full council backed the recommendation on 24 September. The decision postpones the choice; it does not introduce the levy or rule it out permanently.
Why councillors are waiting
The council says consultation responses raised concerns about the evidence available, the economic effect on tourism and Conwy’s competitiveness as a destination. Fears about fewer bookings, shorter stays and lower visitor spending were concerns expressed by respondents, rather than measured effects of a levy already operating in Conwy. Deferring the decision will allow the authority to assess implementation elsewhere in Wales. The Economy and Place Overview Scrutiny Committee had supported the recommendation on 9 September.
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.
What happens next
Conwy will gather further evidence and monitor experience in other Welsh council areas before making its implementation decision. Its announcement does not set a new decision date. Update, 28 September 2026: this report now includes the full council decision of 24 September. The original report described the officer recommendation before that decision was made.