Wales urged not to follow Scotland’s tourism path

TOURISM leaders have urged Wales not to follow Scotland’s lead by replicating a “failed” licensing scheme which they say has harmed the industry.

- CHRIS HAINES

Last week, the Welsh Government unveiled a tourism bill in the Senedd which, if passed, will create a mandatory licensing scheme for short-term Airbnb-style rentals.

But industry representatives gave a damning account of a similar policy in Scotland, describing the experience since its introduction in 2022 as a “real horror story’.

Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, warned the policy has created “far greater harm than good” as he gave evidence.

He told the economy committee: “When policy is developed without a clear objective and without reliable data, it fails, and Scotland is that case study.”

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, pointed to two successful judicial reviews against Edinburgh council and warned the entire Scottish scheme is in breach of the Human Rights Act.