> **Edinburgh could be first UK city to introduce tourist levy.**
> —
>
> **Nicola Sturgeon laid out plans in Tuesday’s Programme for Government which could see Scottish councils handed the powers to introduce a tourist tax.**
>
> Edinburgh could be the first city in the UK to tax overnight visitors in plans announced by Nicola Sturgeon in Tuesday’s Programme for Government.
>
> The First Minister told Parliament on Tuesday the Scottish Government will announce a Bill to hand councils the power to introduce such a scheme which City of Edinburgh Council estimates could generate an additional £15 million of annual revenue for the city.
>
> Ms Sturgeon said: “We will introduce a Local Visitor Levy Bill to give local authorities additional fiscal flexibility.
>
> “This will help councils, if they so choose, to fund activities related to tourism and related infrastructure.”
>
> The city has long campaigned on the issue and council leader Cammy Day said the news is welcome after “years of work”.
>
> Mr Day said he will lobby the Scottish Government to ensure the additional revenue generated will be alongside the block grant, and not “instead of”.
>
> A consultation held in 2018 saw 85% of city residents who responded backing the scheme, including a large number of accommodation providers and businesses.
>
> If successfully implemented, visitors to Edinburgh would be charged a small additional accommodation fee in order to fund infrastructure and services in the city.
>
> The charge is common in other popular tourist destinations around the world, such as Barcelona.
>
> Mr Day said Edinburgh is “very proud” to be one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations, but warned the success “comes at a cost”.
>
> “We believe it’s right to ask visitors to make a small contribution to help us sustain and improve our tourism offer while managing its impact,” he added.
>
> “We’ve been building the case for Edinburgh to become the first city in the UK to introduce such a levy, consistently and repeatedly making the case to Scottish ministers without success – until now.
>
> “Ultimately the income this generates will help us continue to invest in and manage the success of tourism on our city, making sure we continue to offer one of the most enviable and enjoyable visitor experiences in the world – while bringing new and additional benefits to our residents who live and work here all year round.”
A good reason not to visit Edinburgh and the revenue projection will definitely take a hit.
Ask Barcelona or Venice how well that worked out.
I thought Edinburgh did this years ago? something like £2/person/night.
The articles behind a paywall so can’t check
It just doesn’t make any sense. Businesses in Edinburgh benefit hugely from tourism and they pay rates to the council, that’s how you fund tourism.
If you’re only in the city for your mum’s funeral, it’s going to be just great to see that tourists levy on your bill.
They already have a massive annual festival where prices for everything go through the roof…
Lisbon had the same thing when I visited last month. Pretty negligible to pay an extra £2 when you’ve just paid hundreds for travel and accommodation, I don’t imagine it puts anyone off.
Good. Wales and Cornwall need to follow in the same.
Tourist taxes are normal the world over – it amazes me the logic being denying them here.
You can avoid the fee by collecting 12 bags of shite and rubbish from the pavement.
Probably would do better taxing all those holiday homes
Add 50% extra tax
Is this administratively practical? Why not just increase local business taxes in tourist areas and let businesses decide who to charge what?
Or is that what happens anyway?
Tourists bring money, better if they would offer free buses for tourists, so they will have more time to spend money at local businesses
All the tourist-related businesses are already paying taxes
There is a regular amusement park close to my home. A couple of months ago they did one time 1£ entry fee, because inflation, and stuff. It completely decimated the amount of visitors, they came 2 times more since that time and no entry fee again
Considering it’s pretty standard across the globe, I’m surprised the likes of London, Edinburgh, Cornwall, Wales and the Highlands haven’t done it yet.
When I travelled to NY and Milan I think it was roughly £5 per day. It wasn’t much and I knew what to expect beforehand. So long as it’s advertised clearly enough i think it’s a great idea.
I’m happy with paying a tourist tax as long as there is some kind of accountability as to where the money is going and how it is helping actual residents
And that’s how to make sure people don’t just go somewhere on a whim!
Not surprised Mental health is affecting young people. More regulation and less freedom day by day
As long as I can claim it back on my work expenses.
Scotland taking my hard earned cash is nothing new.
Good news, another reason not go there. 🤣👌🏼
Does that mean anyone coming from outside the city is going to pay 2 pound per day?
For a regular worker it would be 400 pounds per year!
Massive racket.
What a stupid, greedy idea.
If they do that – talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face.
21 comments
> **Edinburgh could be first UK city to introduce tourist levy.**
> —
>
> **Nicola Sturgeon laid out plans in Tuesday’s Programme for Government which could see Scottish councils handed the powers to introduce a tourist tax.**
>
> Edinburgh could be the first city in the UK to tax overnight visitors in plans announced by Nicola Sturgeon in Tuesday’s Programme for Government.
>
> The First Minister told Parliament on Tuesday the Scottish Government will announce a Bill to hand councils the power to introduce such a scheme which City of Edinburgh Council estimates could generate an additional £15 million of annual revenue for the city.
>
> Ms Sturgeon said: “We will introduce a Local Visitor Levy Bill to give local authorities additional fiscal flexibility.
>
> “This will help councils, if they so choose, to fund activities related to tourism and related infrastructure.”
>
> The city has long campaigned on the issue and council leader Cammy Day said the news is welcome after “years of work”.
>
> Mr Day said he will lobby the Scottish Government to ensure the additional revenue generated will be alongside the block grant, and not “instead of”.
>
> A consultation held in 2018 saw 85% of city residents who responded backing the scheme, including a large number of accommodation providers and businesses.
>
> If successfully implemented, visitors to Edinburgh would be charged a small additional accommodation fee in order to fund infrastructure and services in the city.
>
> The charge is common in other popular tourist destinations around the world, such as Barcelona.
>
> Mr Day said Edinburgh is “very proud” to be one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations, but warned the success “comes at a cost”.
>
> “We believe it’s right to ask visitors to make a small contribution to help us sustain and improve our tourism offer while managing its impact,” he added.
>
> “We’ve been building the case for Edinburgh to become the first city in the UK to introduce such a levy, consistently and repeatedly making the case to Scottish ministers without success – until now.
>
> “Ultimately the income this generates will help us continue to invest in and manage the success of tourism on our city, making sure we continue to offer one of the most enviable and enjoyable visitor experiences in the world – while bringing new and additional benefits to our residents who live and work here all year round.”
A good reason not to visit Edinburgh and the revenue projection will definitely take a hit.
Ask Barcelona or Venice how well that worked out.
I thought Edinburgh did this years ago? something like £2/person/night.
The articles behind a paywall so can’t check
It just doesn’t make any sense. Businesses in Edinburgh benefit hugely from tourism and they pay rates to the council, that’s how you fund tourism.
If you’re only in the city for your mum’s funeral, it’s going to be just great to see that tourists levy on your bill.
They already have a massive annual festival where prices for everything go through the roof…
Lisbon had the same thing when I visited last month. Pretty negligible to pay an extra £2 when you’ve just paid hundreds for travel and accommodation, I don’t imagine it puts anyone off.
Good. Wales and Cornwall need to follow in the same.
Tourist taxes are normal the world over – it amazes me the logic being denying them here.
You can avoid the fee by collecting 12 bags of shite and rubbish from the pavement.
Probably would do better taxing all those holiday homes
Add 50% extra tax
Is this administratively practical? Why not just increase local business taxes in tourist areas and let businesses decide who to charge what?
Or is that what happens anyway?
Tourists bring money, better if they would offer free buses for tourists, so they will have more time to spend money at local businesses
All the tourist-related businesses are already paying taxes
There is a regular amusement park close to my home. A couple of months ago they did one time 1£ entry fee, because inflation, and stuff. It completely decimated the amount of visitors, they came 2 times more since that time and no entry fee again
Considering it’s pretty standard across the globe, I’m surprised the likes of London, Edinburgh, Cornwall, Wales and the Highlands haven’t done it yet.
When I travelled to NY and Milan I think it was roughly £5 per day. It wasn’t much and I knew what to expect beforehand. So long as it’s advertised clearly enough i think it’s a great idea.
I’m happy with paying a tourist tax as long as there is some kind of accountability as to where the money is going and how it is helping actual residents
And that’s how to make sure people don’t just go somewhere on a whim!
Not surprised Mental health is affecting young people. More regulation and less freedom day by day
As long as I can claim it back on my work expenses.
Scotland taking my hard earned cash is nothing new.
Good news, another reason not go there. 🤣👌🏼
Does that mean anyone coming from outside the city is going to pay 2 pound per day?
For a regular worker it would be 400 pounds per year!
Massive racket.
What a stupid, greedy idea.
If they do that – talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face.