Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Y Pwyllgor Cyllid | Finance Committee
Bil Llety Ymwelwyr (Cofrestr ac Ardoll) Etc. (Cymru) | Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill
Ymateb gan Sygun View | Evidence from Sygun View
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
I am joint proud owner of Sygun View Furnished Holiday let Beddgelert, which has been operating as Furnished Holiday let since 2010. The initial renovation provided work during 2007/8/9 for local plumbers, electricians, builders, and a fireplace technician. In the last 14 years we have continued to provide work for many of these people as we strive to maintain Sygun View at its highest standard. This not only includes the mandatory safety checks such as the annual boiler service (heating engineer), chimney clean (chimney sweep), annual PAT testing and electrical safety checks(electrician) but also the following. In 2016 we had a total replacement of all the windows(local window company) we have also recently had the exterior repainted(local painter and decorator) as well as last year having to pay our electrician nearly £2000 to have a fully wired fire alarm system in every bedroom of our small end of terrace ex miners cottage business in order to meet the new regulatory Fire Standards. This was despite the cottage already having had the mandatory Fire Safety equipment plus C02 detection devices ever since we commenced trading in 2010 but they were not ‘fully wired’ which they are now. In addition to the above, during the last 14 years we have consistently brought visitors to the area which has provided work for the local people as we direct our guests to the local shop for groceries (when they collect the key to the property). We also recommend the local pubs and restaurants and provide an array of leaflets promoting the local visitors attractions which all results in our guest spending money. Through this time we have done our upmost to provide a service to our guests and feel that this has also contributed to the Welsh economy.
However in the last few years, since COVID, visitor numbers have declined, the local pubs and restaurants are struggling and all the Welsh Government seem to do is penalise the very people like us who are contributing. The 180 day ruling hasn’t yet impacted on us as we have exceeded this every year but with cost of living crisis, our bookings for 2025 are currently looking grim, despite this the Welsh government are now insisting on penalising us further by introducing a Tourism Levy which will further discourage visitors at a time when surely you should be encouraging them.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment is set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum (https://senedd.wales/media/g5ipwvwh/pri-ld16812-em-e.pdf). This includes the Welsh Government’s assessments of the financial and other impacts of the Bill and its implementation.
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
We market our business through Sykes Holiday Cottages as well as the local Beddgelert Tourism Board. Who will collect this Sykes? We can indeed collect from direct bookings, we are not VAT registered but Sykes are, will they charge VAT? Who will pay our levy collected by them? We can pay the levy we collect but tourism numbers will be further depleted as visitors choose to holiday elsewhere. Tourist attractions are already closing because of less visitors and our guests will not book with us as who wants to pay for a wet week in North Wales in January or November when there is no where to eat out or visit.
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
Yes tourists numbers will fall as the cost of living crisis is already impacting on visitor numbers, guests will not want to pay the additional fees and they are already complaining about the 20 mile an hour speed limit. This tourism levy will be another nail in the coffin of the Welsh Tourism Industry.
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
I think that the Welsh Government have not appreciated the negative effect that an additional levy will have on already depleted visitor numbers. People are beginning to comment that visitors are not welcome
The powers to make subordinate legislation are set out in Part 1: Chapter 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum (https://senedd.wales/media/g5ipwvwh/pri-ld16812-em-e.pdf).
The Welsh Government has also set out its statement of policy intent for subordinate legislation (https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s155951/Statement%20of%20Policy%20Intent.pdf).
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
I don’t think the Welsh Ministers are looking at the bigger picture. They are not seeing the impact that the objectives in the Bill will have. In theory yes all the additional revenue can be plowed in to local amenities for the benefit of the locals. Unfortunately locals are leaving by their droves as they cannot find employment locally. There is little or no industry but historically tourism was providing employment. This was done directly by restaurants, hotels, tourism attractions but indirectly by the owners of Holiday Properties employing the tradespeople that I mentioned previously. Plumbers, electricians, service engineers even the washing machines technician that I forgot to mention
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
No
(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).
I would only reiterate that I think the Welsh Government seem to not really understand the impact that the Bill will have on visitor numbers. This Bill will along with the 182 days ruling, 20 mile an hour speed restriction and the cost of living crisis ultimately impact on the Welsh economy.