ASSETS to tourism in Llandudno

[SteveH]

Tourism boss says Government's own research shows multi-million pound negative impact of visitor levy
Welsh Government is consulting on its plans for a tax on holiday stays in Wales and says levy can help pay to improve destinations

A tourism chief says Welsh Government own?s research into a visitor levy is showing the multi-million pound negative impact it will have on the sector. Welsh Government - backed by Plaid Cymru - want to introduce a visitor levy on accommodation in Wales - although the final powers on implementing a tax will lie with local authorities.

As part of its consultation into a tourism tax in Wales the Government published a report titled ?Evidence review of elasticities relevant to a visitor levy in Wales?. In basic terms this is a look at how much of an impact the extra tax burden could have on demand.

They looked at evidence from dozens of studies around the world. There is a slew of evidence and statistics and a broad range when it comes to how much impact these increased costs had on destinations.

The report concluded that for every 1% increase in cost there was on average a near 1% drop in demand. When it came to a tax specifically on tourism accommodation this went to -0.7%.

The study also said that falling incomes also hit demand for tourism - meaning the sector could face a double whammy as inflation eats away at people?s disposable incomes.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tourism-boss-says-governments-research-25412527?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Ian]

They're conflating two separate issues, however. Of course falling incomes impact tourism, so holding off for a year or two might make some sense. But we also know that when the pound sinks against other currencies, particularly the dollar, the overseas numbers visiting increase significantly.

And they've used comments from those who don't want anything to change: "operators warn a tax will damage the industry - leading to business failures and lost jobs." They don't 'know' any of that.

If it's being left to councils, then that's okay, because they can be thrown out at the next election.

[SteveH]

The reason why 73% of holiday let owners in North Wales say they might quit
A large number of operators are wary of a new licensing system planned for Wales because of the cost and complexity involved

Almost three in four owners of holiday lets in North Wales would consider pulling out of the market when a licensing system is brought in, a survey has found. One industry expert believes some properties would then become second homes, while others would be put up for sale.

A UK-wide survey undertaken by OnePoll on behalf of letting agency Finest Retreats revealed 73% of current operators in the region might quit to avoid the financial and administrative burden of licensing. The figure was just above the UK average (72%) but below that of South Wales, where 86% of owners would think about ditching their holiday lets.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/reason-73-holiday-owners-north-25430268

[Helig]

It will be interesting to see what happens with the scheme for licensing in Scotland:

https://shorttermlets.campaign.gov.scot/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8JKbBhBYEiwAs3sxNyIRvaBsdH8kJ8bop-aCVLc7EiUatrKWelWwCnVAaPsuTNpN9VRfARoCGKIQAvD_BwE

I think it is badly needed to bring properties up to a good, safe, standard. I stayed in a self catering place earlier this year and there was an electrical fire while I was there. It became apparent it didn't meet the regulations for smoke alarms and detectors. This was let direct by the owner who obviously didn't keep up to date with the requirements. 

[Hugo]

Llandudno's Great Orme tramway tourist attraction set to get major upgrade
Conwy Council is seeking permission for alterations to Victoria Station which will cost cost around ?800-900K


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudnos-great-orme-tramway-tourist-25473075

[SteveH]

Great news but the timing seems wrong, with the council in debt and the cost of living crisis, lets hope they apply for grants.   

[Ian]

The halfway station was rebuilt with lottery funding.

[SteveH]

An adventure giant says they aim to come out of yet another crisis stronger as they look to expand in Wales and beyond. Zip World says they emerged from Brexit and Covid in good health and plan to do the same with the cost of living crisis.

Despite inflation biting they are still taking on new sites and making investments at existing locations in North Wales. This includes new reflective accommodation pods and a filter lane off the A470 at Zip World Fforest in Betws-y-Coed and planned investment in Tyn-y-Coed hotel in Capel Curig which the brand snapped up earlier in the year. The firm - which now employs 850 staff in peak summer - has also acquired sites in the Lake District and Manchester.

They said the secret to bucking the trend in Covid was investing in marketing as others pulled back and they would not let the current issues derail their plans.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-adventure-tourism-giant-25582174

[SteveH]

Last month it was revealed that two North Wales towns were among the best in the UK for a picture-perfect Christmas break. Now, with Christmas fast approaching, we've complied a list of three other locations that didn't quite make the cut, but are just as beautiful.

Both Conwy and Llandudno came out as favourites, with Llandudno coming in at number six and Conwy at number nine, according to the survey, carried out by Stelrad, a UK heating specialist company. They created a list of 50 picturesque wintry villages and towns in the UK and ranked them based on the amount of hashtags each location has on Instagram.

Llandudno has 364,425 hashtags while Conwy has 236,902. The company referred to Fine and Country, Sykes Cottages, Snap Trip, Country and Townhouse, The Guardian and the Scotsman to put together the unique list of 50 known wintry towns and villages across the UK.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-towns-nailed-spirit-25666438

[SteveH]

Second homes, campervans and wild campers may 'operate out of sight' to avoid tourism tax
Industry leaders are becoming increasingly wary of a proposed licensing scheme for accommodation providers

Plans to ?level the playing field? for holiday lets in Wales have met a mixed reaction from professional operators. While the industry has welcomed moves to introduce a statutory licensing scheme for accommodation providers, alarm bells have been ringing over ?heavy-handed? implementation and the potential for some providers to slip through the net.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation over its proposals, which are designed to raise the standards of short-term lets. Licensing is being rolled out amid an explosive growth in second homes and Airbnb-style lets in Wales, and is part of a multi-faceted approach to easing the country?s housing crisis. Details of the proposals are below.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/second-homes-campervans-wild-campers-25796849?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

TikTok traveller lists nine places in Wales places 'you need to visit' in 2023
Whether it is a waterfall, a beach or a scenic walk, there's plenty to appreciate

If there's one thing that Wales is blessed with, it is countless areas of incredible natural beauty. And it's no surprise then that many have been highlighted as a must-visit for the coming year for people from all different areas.

cont / list https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/tiktok-traveller-lists-nine-places-25925005?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Beautiful part of North Wales named in UK's top 10 family camping destinations
It is tipped as the ideal half term holiday destination

A North Wales county has been ranked among the top 10 family camping destinations for 2023. Research by GO Outdoors has revealed the best spots across the UK for family-friendly camping, based on factors such as price and proximity to activities suited to children.

The data shows Conwy has some of the best campsites for families, and is ranked second in the UK. It earns a family camping score of 8.08 out of 10 and is tipped as the perfect half term destination.

This is partly due to its campsites, of which 81% are suited to younger children and 69% to older children. For those hoping to save some cash this year, Conwy campsites are also some of the most affordable as the average cost of a family tent is ?35.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/beautiful-part-north-wales-named-26035461

[SteveH]

Football star Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos has named Llandudno as one of his favourite places to visit in the UK.

The Manchester United midfielder, more commonly known as Fred, grew up in Belo Horizonte in Brazil, but moved to the UK in 2018 upon signing for the Red Devils.

In a recent interview with The Times, Fred said the coastal town of Llandudno was one of his, and his family's, favourite places to visit when he was not tearing it up on the football pitch.

He said: ?Llandudno is beautiful. I like to be on the coast. It?s a nice place to go and it?s only an hour from my house.

?My family likes to go there and look at the view.?
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23308243.manchester-united-star-fred-explains-love-llandudno/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

UK tourism: Visitor attractions still suffering from pandemic effects

UK visitor attractions are suffering from the effects of the pandemic due to fewer tourists travelling from abroad, an industry body has warned.

Millions returned to museums and galleries in 2022 as Covid restrictions ended, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) said.

But fewer international tourists meant visitor levels were still almost a quarter lower than before the pandemic.

The Crown Estate, Windsor Great Park, remained the most popular attraction.

Indoor sites saw a 176% increase in the number of people visiting compared to the previous year, ALVA said.

For much of 2021 facemasks and social distancing had been required at inside venues to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Big London attractions with no entry fee like the Natural History Museum, British Museum and Tate Modern saw their numbers recover by around 200%.

Overall visits to British attractions increased 69% compared to 2021, but they saw 37.8 million fewer people walk through their doors than in 2019.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64976013

[SteveH]

How new 'draconian' Wales holiday let rules will be checked and enforced
Valuation Office Agency (VOA) assesses properties in Wales for council tax or business rates

New Welsh Government rules for holiday properties to qualify as businesses come into force next month. The Government is taking action to try to control the number of second homes in the country over concerns that some communities are being saturated with holiday properties.

But many in the tourism sector fear genuine holiday lets will be dragged into paying thousands of pounds in council tax - potentially putting some out of business. Some have called the rules "draconian".

Holiday lets used as businesses can pay business rates instead of council tax - often meaning paying no tax instead of higher rate bills for second homes in some counties, with the premium at 150% in Gwynedd.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-new-draconian-wales-holiday-26495260