Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar has blasted Welsh Labour’s plans for a ‘Tourism Tax’ which he says would be a major blow to North Wales.

Labour’s Finance Minister announced the plans in today’s draft budget – without providing details.

The idea has been investigated and introduced in other parts of the world, and Plaid’s Finance Spokesman confirmed in the chamber this afternoon that it could be used to pay for marketing.

The so-called ‘Tourism Tax’ was introduced in 2016 in Ibiza and Majorca – with Thomas Cook slamming the levy as a “significant extra sum” on family holidays which could persuade many families to holiday elsewhere.

The Majorca Hoteliers’ Federation said the tax would lead to “millions in losses” for the islands’ economy.

Darren is concerned is would have the same effect here in North Wales.

He said:

“So much hard work has gone into trying to regenerate our towns along the North Wales coast and this tax on tourists could put all that in jeopardy.

“It could devastate communities and make regeneration efforts in Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Llandudno even more difficult and have a crippling effect on caravan parks, hotels and other businesses which rely on visitors to make ends meet.

“We should be doing all we can to attract tourists to this beautiful part of the country, not discouraging them by making family holidays more expensive.

“Our small businesses are already struggling and this tax could totally destroy them – I don’t understand why it is even being considered. The Welsh Government needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a less destructive way of raising money.”