One of the UK’s most picturesque tourist destinations is considering introducing a tourist tax, potentially affecting around six million people. The Highland Council in Scotland is gearing up to engage in a consultation on how a new tourist levy could impact the region and its operational framework. Spanning about 10,000 square miles in northern Scotland, the Scottish Highlands attract over six million visitors annually, comprising day trippers, international tourists, and cruise passengers.
Earlier this year in May, Members of the Scottish Parliament gave the green light to a plan for a visitor levy to be implemented nationwide. This initiative would empower local councils to impose a charge on overnight stays in various accommodations like hotels, B&Bs, and holiday rentals. The generated funds would be allocated towards improving local infrastructure such as roads, car parks, and public amenities.
As detailed on the Visitor Levy page on the Highland Council’s website, the proposed scheme stipulates that the levy should be a percentage of the cost of an overnight stay in certain types of accommodation, with the rate determined by the local authority. Accommodation providers would be tasked with collecting the levy from overnight guests. The revenue raised from the levy must be used to develop, support, or maintain facilities and services mainly utilized by business and leisure visitors. Certain groups, including those receiving disability benefits and asylum seekers, would be exempt from the tax.
Referring to previous research on the introduction of a visitor levy, a consultation conducted in 2019 garnered input from over 6,000 residents, businesses, and visitors on the proposed plans. Councils in regions like Highland, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen had previously endorsed proposals for a tourist tax six years ago. The council specified that the earliest possible timeline for the levy’s implementation would be around mid-2026.
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