One of Wales' oldest caravan sites has opted to become an adults-only destination following wardens' refusal to collect a visitor levy from babies and young children. The previous Welsh Government passed legislation to introduce a visitor levy across Wales.

Under the proposals all guests staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering lets, caravans and campervans could face an additional charge of £1.30 per night. This includes children and even babies. The final decision on whether to implement the tax will rest with individual local authorities, with the majority now carrying out consultations, reports Wales Online.

One caravan park has announced it is undergoing a significant transformation after its wardens voiced their unwillingness to collect visitor levy charges from families with babies and young children.

Dan Yr Ogof caravan site in Bannau Brycheiniog confirmed that, consequently, it has made the decision to transition to an adults-only site from September 14.

This is despite the fact that Powys County Council – the local authority in whose jurisdiction the site falls – has yet to reach a verdict on whether to enforce the tax.

A spokesperson for the park said: "The reason for this change is that the wardens at the 'Dan Yr Ogof' caravan site in the Brecon Beacons National Park, though more than willing to comply with the collection of a tourism tax for the Welsh Government when it becomes law in 2027, they are not prepared to ask caravanners to pay a tourism tax if they have 'babies' in their party."

Ashford Price, chairman of Dan Yr Ogof Caves and a vocal opponent of the visitor levy, said: "I have every sympathy with the stance that our wardens have taken. The main concern for our wardens is having to ask a young family, for example, to pay for their five-week-old baby.

"The baby might not even leave their caravan during their stay and can hardly be classed as a tourist. The financial implications of this tax will be worse for larger families, as it is not uncommon for young families to have two or even three young children with them.

"The cost of this 'baby tax' is extremely high at £1.56 per baby, per night when you include the VAT element. The total costs, based on three young babies/children including their two parents, will add £54.60 in tax for a week's stay, or £109.20 in tax if their stay is for two weeks."

Mr Price argued that what he called a "baby tax" was "morally indefensible, especially during a cost-of-living crisis". "I certainly do not want our wardens involved in heated confrontations trying to explain to caravanners why they have to pay for babies," he said.

"Also, what happens if families won't or can't pay?"

"Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Germany etc do not charge a tourism tax for babies, and EU countries also have a much lower VAT rate for tourism of around 10%, not 20% as in the UK."

Explaining the park's new approach, he said: "After ongoing discussions, we have managed to find a compromise that our wardens are happy with, and circumnavigates their concerns about having to ask parents for money if they bring babies.

"The final outcome is that we have decided to turn the entire site into an adults only caravan/tenting site. (i.e. for 16+) from this September. The thorny issue of having to collect a tax on babies then simply disappears.

"As we are already getting enquiries, and forward bookings for the site for 2027, we are informing caravanners of our decision, and the reasons for taking this action.

"The original law-making policy was taken through the Senedd by the Labour administration; however, we sincerely hope that the new Plaid Cymru tourism minister (Adam Price MS) will look at this issue urgently.

"The caravan sector is such an important part of Welsh tourism, and taxing babies will cast an unwanted shadow over the whole image of Welsh tourism."

A backlash over charging children a visitor levy saw children and young people staying in hostels, campsites, or outdoor centres in Wales being exempt from paying the tourism tax. However, the charge continues to apply to all other forms of tourist accommodation.