One of Wales' oldest caravan sites, Dan Yr Ogof in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park), has announced it will become an adults-only destination from September 14. The decision follows wardens' refusal to collect a proposed visitor levy from families with babies and young children.
Background of the Visitor Levy
The previous Welsh Government passed legislation introducing a visitor levy across Wales. Under the proposals, all guests staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering lets, caravans, and campervans could face an additional charge of £1.30 per night, including children and babies. The final decision on implementation rests with individual local authorities, with most currently conducting consultations, according to Wales Online.
Dan Yr Ogof's move comes despite Powys County Council, the local authority for the site, not yet reaching a verdict on whether to enforce the tax.
Wardens' Objections and 'Baby Tax' Concerns
A spokesperson for the park said: "The reason for this change is that the wardens at the 'Dan Yr Ogof' caravan site in the Brecon Beacons National Park, though more than willing to comply with the collection of a tourism tax for the Welsh Government when it becomes law in 2027, they are not prepared to ask caravanners to pay a tourism tax if they have 'babies' in their party."
Ashford Price, chairman of Dan Yr Ogof Caves and a vocal opponent of the visitor levy, elaborated: "I have every sympathy with the stance that our wardens have taken. The main concern for our wardens is having to ask a young family, for example, to pay for their five-week-old baby. The baby might not even leave their caravan during their stay and can hardly be classed as a tourist."
Price highlighted the financial burden: "The cost of this 'baby tax' is extremely high at £1.56 per baby, per night when you include the VAT element. The total costs, based on three young babies/children including their two parents, will add £54.60 in tax for a week's stay, or £109.20 in tax if their stay is for two weeks."
Moral and Practical Objections
Price argued that the 'baby tax' was "morally indefensible, especially during a cost-of-living crisis." He added: "I certainly do not want our wardens involved in heated confrontations trying to explain to caravanners why they have to pay for babies. Also, what happens if families won't or can't pay?"
He noted that EU countries like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Austria, and Germany do not charge a tourism tax for babies, and have a lower VAT rate for tourism of around 10%, compared to the UK's 20%.
Compromise: Adults-Only Site
Explaining the park's new approach, Price said: "After ongoing discussions, we have managed to find a compromise that our wardens are happy with, and circumnavigates their concerns about having to ask parents for money if they bring babies. The final outcome is that we have decided to turn the entire site into an adults only caravan/tenting site (i.e. for 16+) from this September. The thorny issue of having to collect a tax on babies then simply disappears."
He added: "As we are already getting enquiries, and forward bookings for the site for 2027, we are informing caravanners of our decision, and the reasons for taking this action."
Wider Context and Political Response
The original law-making policy was taken through the Senedd by the Labour administration. Price expressed hope that the new Plaid Cymru tourism minister, Adam Price MS, will look at this issue urgently. He stated: "The caravan sector is such an important part of Welsh tourism, and taxing babies will cast an unwanted shadow over the whole image of Welsh tourism."
A backlash over charging children a visitor levy previously led to exemptions for children and young people staying in hostels, campsites, or outdoor centres in Wales. However, the charge continues to apply to all other forms of tourist accommodation.
