James Evans MS has cautiously welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of new licensing and regulatory requirements for accommodation providers but warned that ministers have “put the cart before the horse” and the tourism policies previously introduced continue to damage the Mid Wales’ tourism economy.
The new registration system, expected to come into force from 2028–29, will require self-catering accommodation, including properties listed on Airbnb and similar platforms, to demonstrate safety standards such as fire risk assessments, electrical checks and insurance in order to operate.
James has consistently supported fair registration and safety standards for visitors. Despite claiming the new policy will “level the playing field”, the Welsh Government has excluded homeowners who let out rooms in their own homes via online platforms, meaning these providers will not face the same licensing or safety requirements as self-contained tourism businesses.
James has heavily criticised Welsh Labour for introducing the controversial 182-day occupancy rule and pushing ahead with a tourism levy before establishing a basic registration system, leaving many rural operators financially exposed. Many in the tourism sector are calling for the 182-day occupancy level to be lowered to a more realistic figure for businesses to achieve. A recent BBC Wales report has confirmed that 40% of Welsh holiday lets have been unable to meet the current 182-day threshold
Accommodation providers in Brecon & Radnorshire continue to tell James that they are being squeezed from all sides, losing business rate relief, pushed onto council tax and premium payments, paying commercial waste fees, and now facing compliance costs and registration fees.
James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon & Radnorshire, said:
“I support proper registration and safety checks on accommodation providers, but it must be fair, proportionate, and introduced in the right order. The financial burden of compliance and the costs for registration are yet another expense to come from already squeezed businesses. This Welsh Labour Government has gone about this in the wrong order when registration should have come first to collect data on the sector. Instead, we saw Welsh Gov introduce an unrealistically high occupancy rates of 182 days being introduced and a tourism tax before the basic registration system is even in place.
“Small rural tourism businesses in Mid Wales are being hit from every angle. Many can’t meet the 182-day rule because of they are not in the tourist honey pot areas, yet they are being treated like cash cows- pushed onto council tax, losing rate relief, paying for trade waste, compliance costs and now facing new licensing costs on top. Where is the support? Welsh Labour cannot keep piling burden after burden on a sector that sustains our rural economy and is vital for the economy of Brecon & Radnorshire. Many accommodation providers tell me they can no longer continue to operate because of being pushed into council tax bills and premium payments as ‘second home owners’. When these accommodation providers stop trading, this has a knock-on effect to the local pub, shop and tourist attractions in the wider area.
“Powys County Council has already signalled it is not minded to introduce the Tourism Tax “at this time”, and rightly so. I will continue fighting for our tourism sector; calling for the 182-day rule to be reduced to a realistic level of 105 days, for unfair tax pressures to end, and continue in my calls for Welsh government to recognises the true value of our tourism system, supports local jobs, protects our rural communities and policies that encourages people to stay in Wales, not avoid it.”
