THERE are no plans to introduce a tourism tax in a Gwent visitor hotspot, councillors have been told.

The possibility of using new powers to tax overnight stays as soon as they become available was ruled out at Monmouthshire County Council’s July meeting.

Councillor Sara Burch, the council’s cabinet member responsible for tourism, said it would hold talks with tourism operators before considering whether to introduce a charge and said: “We’ve no intention of even getting to the point of consulting on a visitor levy within this administration.”

The next council elections are due to take place in 2027 while the Welsh Government has said the earliest any local authority could introduce the tax, which it calls a visitor levy, is 2027.

The Senedd, in July, approved legislation that will allow Wales’ 22 unitary authorities to introduce a £1.30 per visitor, per night charge on overnight stays.

It will be up to individual authorities if they wish........

© South Wales Argus