Overview
- The government announced in Wednesday's King's Speech that it will introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy Bill letting mayoral authorities charge for overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.
- Powers would apply only in the 13 Mayoral Strategic Authorities, with each mayor deciding whether to introduce a levy and at what rate, and the national design will be set out in a consultation response due shortly.
- Wales already has enabling law, with Anglesey starting a consultation and Cyngor Gwynedd due to decide Thursday on launching one, and local proposals cite per‑person nightly bands of 75p–90p for campsites and £1.30–£1.56 for other stays with specific exemptions.
- Business groups pushed back as UKHospitality warned of higher staycation costs, possible job losses and a GDP hit, while backers such as London’s Sadiq Khan argued a levy could support local projects.
- Ministers say revenue should be reinvested locally in tourism and infrastructure, and the coming framework will clarify rates, collection rules and whether powers extend beyond mayoral areas.