Responding to the Welsh visitor levy announcement, Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“The confirmation of plans to introduce a visitor levy in Wales is extremely disappointing and will hit the hospitality industry hard. Pubs and breweries across Wales are already subject to high taxation, and the proposal for this new levy comes just as our sector is also facing extreme pressure from skyrocketing energy costs, rising prices and a cost-of-living crisis.
“Welsh pubs and brewers contribute hugely to the Welsh tourism offer drawing visitors from all over and now is not the time to place additional deterrents on visitors that want to enjoy the hospitality that is the forefront of the tourism offer. Now that the levy has been confirmed, the Welsh Government must ensure funds raised are tightly ringfenced and channelled back into infrastructure that benefits tourism and hospitality to boost businesses not limit them.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199
Notes to editors:
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs.
Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
- The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
- The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199