Scottish Highlands considers tourist tax for overnight visitors

The Highland Council in Scotland is initiating a consultation process regarding the potential implementation of a tourist tax for overnight visitors. This follows the Visitor Levy Bill passed in May, which grants local authorities the authority to impose such a tax. The council aims to assess the impact of this levy on the region, which attracts over six million tourists annually. The proposed tax would apply to various types of overnight accommodations, including hotels and B&Bs, with the goal of generating funds to enhance local infrastructure that suffers from tourism-related wear and tear. A previous consultation in 2019 indicated that a majority of local residents and businesses supported the idea of a tourist tax. The Highland Council estimates that the tax could generate between £5 million and £10 million annually, although a new consultation is necessary to gauge current public sentiment. The Visitor Levy legislation mandates that local authorities must outline a new tax scheme for public consultation before making any decisions. The consultation process is set to occur in the last quarter of 2024, with an 18-month implementation period following the consultation. If the process proceeds smoothly and garners sufficient local support, the tax could be introduced by 2026. Councillor Ken Gowans emphasized the importance of tourism to the local economy and the need for sustainable funding to maintain and develop essential services and infrastructure. This initiative aligns with similar efforts in other regions, such as seaside towns in England, which have also considered tourist taxes to manage overcrowding. Various countries worldwide already implement forms of tourist taxes, highlighting a growing trend in managing the impacts of tourism on local communities.