Licensing of visitor accommodation in Wales

We plan to introduce a licensing scheme for visitor accommodation in Wales, starting with self-catering accommodation.

The scheme will support tourism in Wales by:

• reassuring visitors that accommodation meets the standards they would expect
• providing a clear regime for providers

The draft Bill was laid before Senedd Cymru on 3 November 2025 along with an Explanatory Memorandum. You can read both documents on the Senedd website:

• Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill
• Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill: Explanatory Memorandum

If passed by the Senedd, the Bill will:

• create the legal framework for the licensing scheme
• build on plans for a national register of visitor accommodation providers, set out in the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Act 2025

The Bill will also create a Code of Welsh law on tourism. This will: 

• bring together existing laws on tourism
• make the law easier to access and understand

We have undertaken a number of impact assessments in relation to the licensing scheme proposed in the Bill:

Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill: impact assessments | GOV.WALES

Updates about the Bill and the licensing scheme will be shared with stakeholders through Visit Wales industry newsletters and bulletins.

For more information, email: StatutoryLicensing@gov.wales