Scotland’s ‘tourist tax’ welcomed by Highland Council but tourism body fears for ‘hard-pressed sector’

The ‘tourist tax’ approved by the Scottish Government yesterday has been welcomed by Highland Council.

However, the self-catering body, the Association of Scottish Self Caterers has said the new legislation brings ‘red tape and costs to Scotland’s hard-pressed tourism sector’.

The Visitor Levy will allow local authorities to add a charge to overnight accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets. The earliest a visitor levy could come into force is in 2026.

The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “The Highland Council welcomes the passing of the Visitor Levy Bill to Stage 3 through the Scottish Parliament. This enables the Council to begin the roll out of an 18 month implementation period to put in place the systems needed to collect and administer the levy.

“The tourism sector offers vital economic benefit to the Highlands and Islands and the Visitor Levy Bill helps to ensure its sustainability. The earliest a visitor levy could come into force is in 2026 and the revenue generated will enable the Council to deliver much needed strategic investment throughout Highland.

He added: “A strategic priority contained within the Council’s Administration Programme 2022-2027 is to work with partners and stakeholders to address service delivery challenges with an inclusive approach to change. In general terms the tourism levy will be not a tax on the Highland people, quite the opposite it is tax for the Highlands paid by others.

“Collaboration around the levy is essential towards developing a well-informed sustainable tourism and infrastructure strategy that aligns with everyone’s aspirations for Highland and that work is underway and can now be streamlined.”

MSPs voted 83 in favour of the bill, 27 against with 4 abstentions.

Fiona Campbell, Association of Scottish Self Caterers chief executive said: “In pushing through the Visitor Levy legislation, the Scottish Government has shown that they haven’t learned from the disastrous rollout of STL legislation. While ASSC has welcomed the opportunity to participate in cross party engagement to endeavour to get this right, and that regulation in certain areas should be welcomed, we are concerned once more about the unintended consequences of this legislation.

“Scottish tourism has been hit incredibly hard in the last few years, and this will only add to the burden that small tourism providers across the country will face. Given the challenging climate that Scottish tourism is operating in – from falling visitor numbers, ongoing pandemic recovery, cost of living and STL regulations – now is not the time for this legislation, as it brings yet further red tape and costs to Scotland’s hard-pressed tourism sector.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.