Post by Claire, Head of Stakeholder Engagement
Since joining the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) 7 months ago, I’ve been working with WRA colleagues to help accommodation providers prepare for a significant change. From autumn 2026, in accordance with Welsh Government policy, anyone who takes bookings for overnight stays in Wales will need to register with the WRA.
Our focus has been on working with accommodation providers, tourism bodies and local authorities to make sure the sector understands what’s coming and to help us shape the service.
Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg
What we’ve been doing
We’ve held webinars and in-person events in Llandudno and Cardiff, working with partners to reach as many accommodation providers as possible. These sessions have provided the latest updates on building the registration service and our plans to inform the sector about the need to register.
The conversations have been honest and sometimes challenging. People have had tough questions about registration, concerns about timing, and practical questions about how it will work for their specific type of accommodation. These conversations are essential – they help us understand the real-world pressures providers face and design better services and support.
We’re looking forward to visiting different parts of Wales in 2026 and you can sign up to join us at one of our webinars in March 2026.
Strengthening partnerships
We’ve worked closely with partners in the tourism industry and local authorities. This includes Visit Wales, the Professional Association of Self Caterers (PASC), the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BHHPA), online travel agencies and the Caravan and Camping Club. These organisations collectively represent thousands of businesses and are vital partners in reaching the sector and gathering feedback.
Thanks to Visit Wales for inviting us to present at all 4 regional tourism forums across north, mid, south and west Wales, reaching over 200 stakeholders. These forums bring together accommodation providers, tourism representatives, and local authorities – giving us a chance to share updates and hear directly from people who will use the service.
We’ve also set up a stakeholder group with representation from the tourism industry. This group provides a space for open, frank discussions about how we implement the registration service. The feedback we receive helps us anticipate issues and adjust our approach.
What we’re learning
The last few months have shown the power of collaboration and the importance of ongoing engagement. We’ve learned how diverse the tourism sector in Wales is. What works for a large hotel chain doesn’t necessarily work for a small campsite or self-catering cottage. Through these conversations, we’re learning about the different challenges providers face and how we can design a registration process that works for everyone.
The sector’s willingness to engage with this work has been impressive. People are taking time out of busy schedules to attend sessions, test designs, and share honest feedback. This input is directly shaping how we build and improve the service.
What’s next
We’ll continue these conversations throughout 2026. There will be more webinars, events, and opportunities to get involved as we refine the registration service ahead of autumn 2026.
Sign up to receive updates and get notified when registration opens.
You can also sign up to join us at one of our webinars in March 2026.
Please note: Everything we share is work in progress and may change as we continue developing the service based on your feedback and what we learn through testing.
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