Welsh visitor attractions to close and lower their national flags to half-mast on St David’s Day in protest over ‘anti-English’ tourist tax

Several popular Welsh tourist attractions are planning a symbolic protest on St David’s Day, March 1, by closing their doors and lowering their flags to half-mast in opposition to the Welsh Government’s proposed “tourism tax.” The protest aims to highlight concerns over the impact of the planned £1.25-a-night levy on visitors staying at hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering accommodations starting in 2027.

St David’s Day, a significant cultural occasion in Wales that celebrates the country’s patron saint, Dewi Sant, will now serve as a platform for the tourism industry to voice their opposition to the new tax. Tourism bosses and business owners fear that the tax will negatively affect the Welsh economy, harming both local tourism and those visiting from outside the country, particularly from England.

The tax has drawn criticism for its potential to discourage both Welsh and English tourists. Local families, who make up 60% of the accommodation bookings in Wales, will also face higher costs—up to an additional £60 for a week-long stay—affecting those who are most likely to support the Welsh tourism industry.

Ashford Price, a spokesperson for the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), pointed out the unfairness of the tax, especially since babies and toddlers will be taxed, despite similar levies in countries like France and Spain offering exemptions for children. Price argued that the proposed tax could hurt larger Welsh families, who traditionally choose to holiday within the country, and would discourage both local and international tourists.

Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism, expressed frustration that the Welsh Government’s policies had already taken a toll on the tourism sector, with many businesses struggling to survive. He stated that despite repeated attempts to engage with the government, their concerns had been ignored, prompting the decision to escalate opposition through public protests, including the half-mast flag gesture.

Alistair Handyside MBE, executive chair of PASC UK, supported the protest, emphasizing the heavy regulatory and tax burden on Welsh hospitality businesses over the past three years. He added that the call to lower flags to half-mast was a reflection of widespread discontent within the sector.

This protest follows a similar action last December, when many attractions closed in protest of the proposed levy. The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions, which represents over 100 sites, has called on businesses across the country to take part in the protest by lowering their flags, symbolizing the potential harm the new tax could cause to the vital Welsh tourism industry.

In response, a Welsh Government spokesperson defended the tax, asserting that it was not “anti-anything,” but rather an effort to support and develop Wales’ economy by reinvesting funds raised from the levy into local areas to improve services for both visitors and residents. The spokesperson pointed to the success of visitor levies in over 40 countries around the world, as well as other parts of the UK, and explained that local authorities would have the autonomy to decide whether to implement the tax in their areas.

As the debate continues, many in the Welsh tourism sector remain wary of the impact the proposed tax could have on an already vulnerable industry, and this protest on St David’s Day will likely serve as a critical turning point in the ongoing discussions.