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 to use the powers that also include a 75 pence per person, per night charge for hostels and campsites. An exception for under 18s would only apply at hostels and campsites.

Figures produced for Monmouthshire council estimated in 2023 there were 2.29 million visitors, spending 3.53m visitor days in the county, generating more than £329m for the local economy, and supporting 3,462 full time equivalent jobs.

At July’s full council meeting Tory leader Richard John asked if the cabinet had given further consideration to his group’s proposal the council “should rule out introducing a tourism tax in Monmouthshire?”

Cllr Burch said, “Our position remains unchanged we’ve no immediate plans to introduce a visitor levy.”

Cllr Burch was prompted by council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby to say there were “no plans on consulting” during the council term when responding to Cllr John.

The Mitchel Troy and Trellech councillor said the response was “disappointing to hear” and said “the downsides of a tourism tax are really quite evident particularly in a border county like Monmouthshire.”

He said families wanting to holiday in the Wye Valley will have a choice between staying in Gloucestershire or “coming to Monmouthshire where a tourism tax will add an additional £40 for a week’s holiday for a family of four. It could do enormous damage and as a council we should rule it out.”