One of Wales' oldest caravan sites has decided to become an adult-only destination for tourists after wardens said they would refuse to collect a visitor levy from babies. The previous Welsh Government passed legislation to introduce a visitor levy across Wales. Under the proposals all guests staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering lets, caravans and campervans could face an additional charge of £1.30 per night. This includes children and even babies. The final decision on whether to implement the tax will rest with individual local authorities, with the majority now carrying out consultations.
Caravan Park Announces Major Change
Dan Yr Ogof caravan site in Bannau Brycheiniog confirmed that, as a result, it has taken the decision to transition to an adults-only site from September 14. This is despite the fact Powys County Council – the local authority in which the site is located – has yet to reach a decision on whether to enforce the tax.
A spokesperson for the park said: "The reason for this change is that the wardens at the 'Dan Yr Ogof' caravan site in the Brecon Beacons National Park, though more than willing to comply with the collection of a tourism tax for the Welsh Government when it becomes law in 2027, they are not prepared to ask caravanners to pay a tourism tax if they have 'babies' in their party."
Opposition to the 'Baby Tax'
Ashford Price, chairman of Dan Yr Ogof Caves and a vocal opponent of the visitor levy, said: "I have every sympathy with the stance that our wardens have taken. The main concern for our wardens is having to ask a young family, for example, to pay for their five-week-old baby. The baby might not even leave their caravan during their stay and can hardly be classed as a tourist. The financial implications of this tax will be worse for larger families, as it is not uncommon for young families to have two or even three young children with them."
Mr Price argued that what he called a "baby tax" was "morally indefensible, especially during a cost-of-living crisis". "I certainly do not want our wardens involved in heated confrontations trying to explain to caravanners why they have to pay for babies," he said. "Also, what happens if families won't or can't pay?"
He noted that Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Germany etc do not charge a tourism tax for babies, and EU countries also have a much lower VAT rate for tourism of around 10%, not 20% as in the UK.
Adults-Only Solution
Explaining the park's new approach, he said: "After ongoing discussions we have managed to find a compromise that our wardens are happy with, and circumnavigates their concerns about having to ask parents for money if they bring babies. The final outcome is that we have decided to turn the entire site into an adults only caravan/tenting site (i.e. for 16+) from this September. The thorny issue of having to collect a tax on babies then simply disappears."
"As we are already getting enquiries, and forward bookings for the site for 2027, we are informing caravanners of our decision, and the reasons for taking this action."
Mr Price also called on the new Plaid Cymru tourism minister, Adam Price MS, to look at the issue urgently. "The caravan sector is such an important part of Welsh tourism, and taxing babies will cast an unwanted shadow over the whole image of Welsh tourism," he said.
A backlash over charging children a visitor levy saw children and young people staying in hostels, campsites or outdoor centres in Wales made exempt from paying the tourism tax. However, the charge continues to apply to all other forms of tourist accommodation.
