Tourism and the Welsh Economy
Tourism and small businesses are the lifeblood of Carmarthenshire and communities across Wales, and they are now at a crossroads. An urgent call to action from the Welsh Liberal Democrats: our local economy cannot be left to struggle under outdated taxes, rising costs, and policies that threaten the very businesses that keep our towns alive. From the pubs, guesthouses and the high streets of Carmarthenshire, livelihoods are on the line. The following sets about standing up for local people, protecting the jobs that sustain our communities, and demanding a fair, modern system that puts Wales first. It’s time to fight for a stronger, fairer future for Carmarthenshire and for Wales.
Welsh Liberal Democrats Demand Fair Business Rates and Tourism Policies to Protect the Welsh Economy
Wrexham, Autumn Conference 2025 – The Welsh Liberal Democrats have issued a rallying call at their Autumn Conference for urgent reform of business rates and tourism policies, warning that current legislation risks strangling small businesses, high streets, and the visitor economy.
Business Rates Crisis: SMEs and high street retailers face disproportionate burdens, with multipliers at a 25-year high – higher than England or Scotland. Property values have fallen, yet bills remain inflated.
Tourism Under Threat: The 182-day occupancy rule and proposed Visitor Levy risk devastating Wales’s £4–8 billion tourism sector, which supports over 200,000 jobs. Carmarthenshire alone generated £683 million in 2023, but seasonality and rising costs leave businesses vulnerable.
Fairer Alternatives:
Introduce a 2% Online Sales Levy on large online retailers to level the playing field.
Use revenue to extend Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Relief and freeze multipliers.
Reduce the occupancy threshold to 105 days, as recommended by HMRC, to protect holiday let providers.
Delay the Visitor Levy for five years to allow recovery and conduct a full economic impact assessment.
Launch a light-touch registration scheme to identify legitimate businesses and ensure fairness.
Small businesses and tourism are the backbone of Welsh communities, providing jobs, resilience, and cultural vitality. Without reform, thousands of SMEs risk closure, jobs will be lost, and communities will suffer.
Wales cannot afford to punish its entrepreneurs and tourism operators with outdated, unfair taxes. We need a system that supports growth, sustains communities, and ensures fairness between online giants and local businesses.
Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn Galw am Gyfraddau Busnes a Pholisïau Twristiaeth Teg i Ddiogelu Economi Cymru
Wrecsam, Cynhadledd yr Hydref 2025 – Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru wedi cyhoeddi galwad brys yn ystod eu Cynhadledd Hydref am ddiwygio cyfraddau busnes a pholisïau twristiaeth, gan rybuddio bod y ddeddfwriaeth bresennol yn peryglu mygu busnesau bach, strydoedd mawr a’r economi ymwelwyr.
Argyfwng Cyfraddau Busnes: Mae BBaChau a manwerthwyr ar y stryd fawr yn wynebu baich anghymesur, gyda’r lluosyddion ar eu huchaf ers 25 mlynedd – yn uwch nag yn Lloegr neu’r Alban. Mae gwerthoedd eiddo wedi gostwng, ond mae biliau’n parhau’n ormodol.
Twristiaeth dan Fygythiad: Mae’r rheol 182 diwrnod o feddiannaeth a’r Ardoll Ymwelwyr arfaethedig yn peryglu dinistrio sector twristiaeth Cymru gwerth £4–8 biliwn, sy’n cefnogi dros 200,000 o swyddi. Cynhyrchodd Sir Gaerfyrddin £683 miliwn yn 2023 yn unig, ond mae tymhoroldeb a chostau cynyddol yn gadael busnesau’n fregus.
Dewisiadau Tegach:
• Cyflwyno Ardoll Gwerthiannau Ar-lein 2% ar fanwerthwyr ar-lein mawr i greu maes chwarae teg.
• Defnyddio’r refeniw i ymestyn y Cymorth Manwerthu, Hamdden a Lletygarwch a rhewi’r lluosyddion.
• Lleihau’r trothwy meddiannaeth i 105 diwrnod, fel y mae CThEM yn ei argymell, i ddiogelu darparwyr llety gwyliau.
• Oedi’r Ardoll Ymwelwyr am bum mlynedd i ganiatáu adferiad a chynnal asesiad effaith economaidd llawn.
• Lansio cynllun cofrestru ysgafn i nodi busnesau dilys a sicrhau tegwch.
Mae busnesau bach a thwristiaeth yn asgwrn cefn cymunedau Cymru, gan ddarparu swyddi, gwydnwch a bywiogrwydd diwylliannol. Heb ddiwygio, mae miloedd o BBaChau mewn perygl o gau, bydd swyddi’n cael eu colli, a bydd cymunedau’n dioddef.
Ni all Cymru fforddio cosbi ei entrepreneuriaid a’i gweithredwyr twristiaeth gyda threthi hen ffasiwn ac annheg. Mae angen system sy’n cefnogi twf, yn cynnal cymunedau ac yn sicrhau tegwch rhwng cewri ar-lein a busnesau lleol.
Tourism is not just an industry — it’s the beating heart of Carmarthenshire and a cornerstone of the Welsh economy. Small businesses and tourism are the backbone of our communities, providing jobs, resilience, and cultural vitality. Without urgent support, pubs, cafés, hotels, and holiday providers risk closure, leaving our towns and villages hollowed out. The 182‑day rule, rising costs, and the proposed Visitor Levy risk devastating a sector worth up to £8 billion and supporting over 200,000 Welsh jobs.
Justin Griffiths, lead candidate Sir Gaefyrddin