Residents, businesses and visitors are being invited to share their views on whether Powys County Council should consider introducing a visitor levy in the future.
A visitor levy is a small charge applied to overnight stays in visitor accommodation. Welsh Government legislation allows councils in Wales to decide whether to introduce one in their area.
Powys County Council has agreed to take a cautious approach and is not proposing to introduce a levy at this stage.
Instead, it has launched an initial engagement exercise to understand views from across the county and assess the possible effects on communities, businesses and visitors.
The feedback will be shared with the council’s Cabinet and full Council to inform any future approach.
A decision on whether to introduce a visitor levy in Powys would be a matter for the next administration following the local elections in May 2027.
If the council decided to proceed, a further formal consultation would need to take place. The earliest a visitor levy could be introduced in Powys would be 2028.
Visitor levy rates are set by the Welsh Government for the whole of Wales.
The current rates are 75p per person per night for stays at campsites, pitches and hostels, and £1.30 per person per night for all other types of visitor accommodation.
Some stays would not be subject to the levy. These include stays lasting more than 31 days, stays at someone’s sole or main residence, and certain emergency or temporary housing arrangements.
The council’s initial engagement asks people for their views on the principle of a visitor levy, its possible effects on communities and businesses, and how any income should be spent if a levy is introduced.
Potential uses include visitor facilities, public toilets, footpaths, signage, environmental protection, visitor information, events and destination management.
Cllr Glyn Preston, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “Tourism is important to Powys. It supports jobs, businesses and communities, but it can also create pressures on local infrastructure and services.
“We want to hear a range of views from residents, businesses and visitors. Whether you support the idea, have concerns, or simply want to learn more, we encourage you to take part and share your thoughts.”
The survey is open until Wednesday 30 September 2026 and should take around 10 minutes to complete. It is available in Welsh and English.
People can complete the survey online, while printed copies are available from libraries across Powys.
