Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Act 2026

1. Introduction

2. Summary and Background

3. Commentary on Sections

   1. Part 1 – Introduction

      1. Section 1 – Overview

   2. Part 2 – Development of Tourism

      1. Section 2 – Tourism development functions of the Welsh Ministers

      2. Section 3 – Code of practice on tourism

      3. Section 4 – Amendments to enactments on tourism

   3. Part 3 – Regulation of Visitor Accommodation

      1. Chapter 1 – Key Concepts

         1. Section 5 – Meaning of regulated visitor accommodation

         2. Section 6 – Meaning of fitness for visitor accommodation

         3. Section 7 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: general standard

         4. Section 8 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: specific standards

         5. Section 9 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: fire safety

         6. Section 10 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: electrical maintenance

         7. Section 11 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: gas maintenance

         8. Section 12 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: carbon monoxide risk

         9. Section 13 - Fitness for visitor accommodation: insurance

      2. Chapter 2: Licensing

         1. Section 14 - Visitor accommodation licences

         2. Section 15 - Licence conditions: general

         3. Section 16 – Licence conditions: visitor accommodation provider training

         4. Section 17 – Licence conditions: further conditions

         5. Section 18 – Licence applications: general

         6. Section 19 - Licence applications: approval requirements

         7. Section 20 – Licence applications: determination

         8. Section 21 - Licence applications: further assessment prior to determination

         9. Section 22 – Visitor accommodation licence: issue of certificate and statement of information

         10. Section 23 - Revocation

             1. Example

         11. Section 24 - Breach of licence conditions: remedial notices

             1. Example

         12. Section 25 - Licence periods and renewal of licence

             1. Example

         13. Section 26 - Amendment of licence

             1. Example

         14. Section 27 – Provisional licences

         15. Section 28 – Provisional licences: further provision

         16. Section 29 - Licensing appeals

         17. Example

         18. Section 30 - Power of entry and inspection for enforcement purposes &

             Section 31- Warrant to enter and inspect premises for enforcement purposes &

             Section 33 – Offence of wilful obstruction

         19. Section 32 - Regulated visitor accommodation at unlicensed premises: offence

         20. Section 34 – Duty to maintain a register in relation to licensing &

             Section 42 – Visitor accommodation directory

         21. Section 35 – Fees in relation to visitor accommodation licences

         22. Section 36 - Powers to share information

         23. Section 37 - Specific provision applicable in respect of campsite and caravan site licences

      3. Chapter 3 - Regulated Visitor Accommodation: Contract Terms

         1. Section 38 - Visitor accommodation contracts &

            Section 39 - Contractual obligation to ensure premises fit for visitor accommodation

         2. Section 40 - Limits on fitness for visitor accommodation duty: visitor’s fault &

            Section 41 - Limits on fitness for visitor accommodation duty: knowledge of VAP

            1. Example

   4. Part 4

      Provision of Information to the Public about Visitor Accommodation

      1. Section 42 - Visitor accommodation directory

      2. Section 43 - Requirements relating to advertising and marketing etc.

      3. Section 44 - Offences relating to advertising and marketing etc. of visitor accommodation

   5. Part 5

      Miscellaneous and General

      1. Chapter 1 – Miscellaneous

         1. Section 45 - Duties and liabilities of partnerships and unincorporated bodies

         2. Section 46 - Power to make further provision about partnerships and unincorporated bodies

         3. Section 47 - Offences committed by partnerships and unincorporated bodies

         4. Section 48 - Criminal liability of senior officers etc.

         5. Section 49 - Power to make provision about death, incapacity and insolvency

         6. Section 50 - Power to make provision about transfers of businesses as going concerns

         7. Section 51 – Power to disapply certain provisions of Act

         8. Section 52 – Power to require information

         9. Section 53 – Offence of failing to comply with an information notice

         10. Section 54 – Offence of providing false or misleading information

         11. Section 55 – Penalty notices

      2. Chapter 2 – General

         1. Section 56 - Guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers

         2. Section 57 - Power to make consequential, transitional etc. provision

         3. Section 58 – Review of operation and effect of Act

         4. Section 59 - Regulations under this Act

         5. Section 60 – Interpretation and index of defined terms

         6. Section 61 - Coming into force

         7. Section 62 – Short title

         8. Schedule 1 - Amendments to the Development of Tourism Act 1969

         9. Schedule 2 - Amendments relating to the Register of Visitor Accommodation Providers

            1. Example – Premises 1 (which contains two separate, self-contained flats used as self-catering accommodation)

4. Record of Proceedings in Senedd Cymru