Welsh government unveils plans for statutory registration scheme for visitor accommodation

Plans for a statutory registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales has been welcomed by UKHospitality Cymru.

Dawn Bowden, the deputy minister for arts, sport and tourism, revealed the legislation is set to be introduced to the Senedd before the end of the year.

The scheme aims to provide a register of visitor accommodation types for the first time in Wales and ensure providers comply with appropriate safety and quality requirements with a licensing scheme that is expected to be added in due course.

David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru, said: “The Welsh Government is absolutely right to create a level playing field and require all visitor accommodation to operate safely and to appropriate standards.

“I’m pleased that short-term lets will be brought up to the standards of the wider accommodation sector and the introduction of a registration scheme is a positive step to develop a proper understanding of where these businesses are.

He added: “The eventual move to a licensing scheme to ensure short-term lets are compliant with safety standards is something we support, provided there is no additional red tape or cost placed on well-established and already heavily regulated businesses such as hotels and holiday parks.

“These businesses are already subject to rigorous health and safety inspections, so the focus of the scheme should be on ensuring short-term lets are complying with regulations.”

It comes after a public consultation, engagement with the industry, as well as a recently published survey that stated almost nine in ten (89%) visitors considered it important the accommodation they stay in operates safely.

Concerns had also been raised about the impact of short-term lets on housing stock.

Across the UK, Northern Ireland established its certification scheme for visitor accommodation in 1992, while Scotland recently introduced a licensing scheme for short-term lets.

The UK government launched a consultation into introducing a mandatory registration scheme for short-term lets in April 2023.