Councillors in Tenby have stated that there has been an ‘overreaction’ to the idea of a ‘Tourism Tax’ being introduced by local authorities, as it was just an idea being ‘floated’ around.

The idea was raised at a meeting last month when discussing the proposed closure of the Tourist Information Centre in Tenby, but speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, and her colleague Clr. Laurence Blackhall said that they didn’t want the focus of the ‘Tourism Tax’ debate to detract from the main focus, which was protecting the future of the town’s TIC.

The subject matter of a possible tourist tax like other EU tourist areas had introduced, with cities such as Oxford, Bath and Edinburgh considering such a move had been discussed, with information also brought to the table on how a number of areas of tax had been considered by the Welsh Government.

“It was merely mentioned as a possibility and an idea floated around the table, and perhaps people have overreacted to the suggestion,” Clr. Blackhall told his colleagues about some of the negative feedback the idea had thrown up.

He said that it was also a shame that unnecessary criticism had been aimed at Clr. Mrs. Tracey Evans who had brought research looking into ‘Tourism Tax’ in other areas to the council table.

“The Tourism Tax aspect was a ‘red herring’ as such, but the wrong part of the debate for us to focus on perhaps, when the discussion should have been how we make the partnership work with PCC on saving Tenby Tourist Information Centre,” continued Clr. Blackhall, with Clr. Mrs Lane concurring.

“I quite agree we want everyone to put their passion back into the town, and to get everyone together to save the TIC, and that was the positive side of things that we wanted the community to get behind,” she added.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she quite agreed with a letter published in last week’s Observer by FBM Holidays’ marketing executive Thom James, who had responded to the ‘Tourism Tax’ proposals.

“ I agree with his comments, it would be stupid to pursue the subject of a tourism tax not just for Pembrokeshire, but for Wales as a whole.

“More needs to be invested by PCC into tourism. I know they’ve got financial cutbacks, but it’s ridiculous, when they’re spending just £57,000 on their tourism department for a county of this size!” she added.