A letter from the editor:

Hello and welcome to our late spring edition featuring all the news, features and products you need to know about in the caravan and park industry.

In the last edition I reported that industry leaders were hopeful of another strong year for the caravan and holiday park sector amid the belief that the British staycation bug is here to stay.

A couple of months on and a few things have cropped up that might make some question why we are jeopardising that.

The tourism tax is one. The National Caravan Council campaigned against it but the Welsh government has now committed to going ahead with it.

Legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a levy will be put to the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, within this government’s term.

While acknowledging many in the tourism industry ‘disagreed with the principle of a visitor levy’ Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government said: “ Many destinations around the world use visitor levies to empower and enhance their local areas for the benefit of visitors and locals alike – I am confident this will be the case here in Wales.”

Now, holiday park owners in

Cornwall are worried the same might happen there.

A leading holiday park boss told news site Cornwall Live that the ‘golden cow of tourism was at risk of being ‘milked to death’.

Patrick Langmaid, owner of the Mother Ivey's Bay caravan park near Padstow, believes the tourism sector is under threat from second homes, Airbnbs, a housing crisis and extra taxation from both local and central government.

He has warned that plans for a tourist tax runs the risk of damaging an industry Cornwall relies on.

Mr Langmaid said tourism taxes overseas weren’t comparable as they have lower VAT and claimed ‘unregulated holiday lets’ currently had a much lower tax and costs burden.

He believes 2023 could see a dip in trade for domestic breaks as airport chaos last year deterred many people from flying overseas. But he is confident in the domestic tourism trade long term for those who make the right investments.

Do you agree? Let me know at nick@euromediaal.com