Tourism boss hits out at visitor levy for loss of £3m Haven investment

THE 'UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE' OF TOURIST TAX

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter [e-mail]

A DECISION by a holiday park to scrap a £3m investment is the "unintended consequence" of the Welsh visitor levy says a tourism boss.

Haven had planned to develop a Wetherspoons pub at its Presthaven site in Gronant, near Prestatyn.

But despite already securing planning permission they have put the plans on ice. Sources say that the reason is the Welsh Government's visitor levy.

The government has brought in the levy in Wales but it will be down to individual local authorities whether they introduce it in their county.

The council in Flintshire, where the park is sited, has not made any decision on the tax yet.

But bosses at the holiday firm are concerned over the potential impact of the tourism tax.

If introduced a family of five staying in a caravan would pay £6.50 a night in visitor levies, or £45.50 for a full week. This could be a significant extra chunk for a holiday break with Haven, where a limited number of the cheapest breaks start at £49.99.