Scouts in Wales call for rethink on Visitor Levy Bill
ScoutsCymru is urging the Welsh Government to make changes to the proposed 'Tourism Tax', warning the Bill could place an 'unfair burden on volunteers'
ScoutsCymru is urging Members of the Senedd to make vital changes to the proposed Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill, warning that – as it stands –the Bill could 'place an unfair burden on volunteers and unintentionally put life-shaping opportunities for young people at risk'.
The organisation, which supports thousands of children and young people to take part in outdoor learning and adventure activities, has welcomed recent changes at Stage 1 of the Bill.
But, they say, with Stage 2 now under way, ScoutsCymru is calling for 'further common-sense amendments to make sure volunteer-run groups are not caught up in a system designed for tourism'.
The Bill currently risks treating Scout halls – which exist to deliver education and community activities, not host tourists – as if they were commercial accommodation providers.
Kerrie Gemmill, CEO of ScoutsCymru says:
“Under the current proposals, volunteers staying overnight with a group of young Scouts in their local hall – to lead the activities and keep them safe – would be classed as a ‘visitor’ and charged the levy,”
“They’re not booking a holiday – they’re leading the activities and supporting the group. Charging volunteers as if they were hotel guests makes no sense.”
ScoutsCymru says the Bill should be updated to clearly state that buildings like Scout halls or community centres, where occasional overnight stays are not the main purpose, are not treated as visitor accommodation.
ScoutsCymru is proposing three practical changes:
- Clarity in the law: Make it clear that premises like Scout halls – where the primary purpose is education, not overnight accommodation – are out of scope of the levy.
- Proportionate rules: Recognise that small, volunteer-run groups do not have back-office systems or paid staff. The rules should reflect that reality.
- Targeted exemptions: Introduce a national exemption for charitable, volunteer-led organisations that only host occasional overnight stays as part of youth programmes and activities.
“We’re grateful for the engagement so far.” said Kerrie. “Our aim is simply to make sure it doesn’t unintentionally apply to the wrong groups – especially those run by volunteers, where overnight stays are a small part of a wider youth programme. With a few sensible changes, we can preserve the Bill’s purpose while protecting affordable, accessible experiences for young people, delivered by the people who make them possible.”
The Welsh Government says:
"Councils can choose whether or not to use the visitor levy. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance has already said we intend to amend the bill so that there will be no levy for overnight stays on campsite pitches or shared accommodation for children and young people."