Tourism Businesses Urged to Prepare For Changes on the Horizon.

Tourism operators across North Wales are being warned to familiarise themselves with a series of proposed changes which could affect the way visitor accommodation is run in the future.

The changes stem from the Visitor Accommodation Register and Levy Wales Act 2025 and wider proposals being considered by the Welsh Government as part of its plans for the tourism sector.

In my role as a commercial property solicitor based in our Conwy office, I specialise in advising tourism businesses, and I believe it is important to be aware of the proposals.

One of the first changes will be the introduction of a national register for visitor accommodation providers. From October 2026, businesses offering overnight accommodation in Wales for stays of up to 31 nights will be legally required to register with the Welsh Revenue Authority.

The requirement will apply to a wide range of accommodation providers, including hotels, guest houses, self-catering holiday lets, hostels, static caravans and glamping sites. Registration will be free and will create a national database of visitor accommodation across Wales.

Attention is also turning to the proposed visitor levy, which local authorities will have the power to introduce from April 2027 following consultation with residents and businesses.

Several councils in North Wales, including Conwy, Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey, are currently consulting on whether the levy should be adopted in their areas.

If introduced, the levy would apply to overnight stays and would be collected by accommodation providers on behalf of the Welsh Revenue Authority.

The current proposals include a charge of 75p per person per night for shared accommodation such as hostels and campsites, and £1.30 per person per night for other forms of accommodation including hotels, bed and breakfasts, holiday lets, caravans and glamping sites.

Revenue generated by the levy is intended to support tourism infrastructure, including maintaining footpaths, improving town centres and so on.

However, the proposals have prompted significant discussion within the tourism sector, particularly around administration, record-keeping requirements and how businesses may choose to present the levy to customers.

Looking further ahead, accommodation licensing is also being considered, with proposals suggesting visitor accommodation providers may eventually need to meet specific standards and obtain a licence to operate.

While details are still being developed, tourism businesses should engage with current consultations and seek professional advice where necessary to understand how the proposed changes could affect their operations.