Young People to Be Exempt from Wales’ Proposed Visitor Levy after Youth-Focused Groups Raise Concerns

Young people under the age of 18 will no longer be required to pay the lower-tier visitor accommodation levy in Wales, following a policy shift announced in the Senedd this week.

During the Stage 1 debate on the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) (Wales) Bill on Monday (April 1), Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford confirmed the exemption, citing feedback from youth organisations during the consultation process.

The move comes after a coalition of youth-focused groups, including ScoutsCymru, raised concerns that the proposed levy could have unintended consequences for access to affordable overnight experiences — particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“This is a really positive step forward,” said Kerrie Gemmill, Chief Executive of ScoutsCymru. “Ensuring that under-18s are not charged the visitor levy when staying at lower-rated accommodation sends a strong signal about the value we place on youth development and access to the outdoors in Wales.”

ScoutsCymru, which represents thousands of young people and volunteers across Wales, welcomed the Welsh Government’s willingness to reconsider the implications of the legislation. However, the organisation stressed that challenges remain — particularly around how the bill may impact volunteer-led, not-for-profit groups that offer occasional overnight stays in places like Scout huts and church halls.

The group is urging the government to consider clearer exemptions and guidance as the bill moves into Stage 2, where amendments will be discussed and further detail added.

“While this exemption is very welcome and will help protect vital experiences for young people across the country, we’re keen to keep working with Members of the Senedd to ensure the final legislation is fair and proportionate,” added Gemmill.

One particular concern is the potential administrative burden on adult volunteers who support youth overnight stays. ScoutsCymru has warned that, despite the youth exemption, accompanying adults could still be subject to the levy, and that additional red tape could deter volunteers from continuing their support.

The proposed legislation aims to create a formal register for visitor accommodation providers in Wales and introduce a local levy that councils could apply. The Welsh Government has said it intends to ensure the levy is implemented fairly while supporting local economies.

ScoutsCymru is continuing to campaign for clarity and safeguards for charitable organisations as the bill progresses through the Senedd.