A new tourist tax could be implemented in Scotland in a region home to some of the world’s best and most loved visitor attractions.
Highland Council are the third local authority in Scotland to confirm that they are considering a visitor levy which would add to the costs of staying overnight in the region – home to the incredible NC500 road trip named best in Britain.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government passed legislation which allows councils to force accommodation providers to charge an extra tax, with this money set to be utilised by town halls for anything they please, although it has been suggested that they spend it on upgrades for tourism.
It was criticised at the time for ensuring that Scotland becomes even less competitive when it comes to tourist destinations and as more red tape for already struggling businesses to deal with.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are set to consult on introducing the charges, which cannot be put in place before Spring 2026.
Now, Highland Council have confirmed that they will also consult on plans to do the same, with the region the home of some of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.
These include numerous Outlander filming locations, Ben Nevis and also Loch Ness and its surroundings.
If implemented, hotels, B&Bs, campsites and holiday lets will need to charge overnight guests an additional fee and then surrender this to the local authority.
What this will be spent on will be decided by councillors after they take the proposals to the local people.
The cost will be a percentage of the total cost of the stay and will be decided by the council.
Inverness councillor Ken Gowans said: “Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy would form an essential part of how we sustain, maintain and develop the services and infrastructure which the sector relies on.
“The upcoming consultation will give everyone the opportunity to put forward their views on how a levy scheme should operate and what the proceeds should be spent on.”
The Highlands made National Geographic’s Best of the World list last year and attracts millions of tourists annually, but the plans have sparked chaos, with some worried a new tourist tax could actually deter visitors in the years to come.
Scottish Tory Social Security, Housing and Equalities spokesman Miles Briggs MSP previously said: “Scots looking to enjoy a holiday in their own country will be pretty unhappy when they realise that they will have to pay a 10% tax to stay in a hotel in the future or end up paying a tourist tax to visit their children in hospital or family member in a hospice or care home.
“Tourism is worth £4.5 billion to the Scottish economy and directly supports more than 250,000 jobs, often in our most economically vulnerable rural and island communities.
“But the Scottish tourism sector already faces tax burdens that are among the highest anywhere in the world.”
Concerns have been raised about the impact a new charge will have on tourism as well as businesses who will need to create a system to collect the extra payment.
It will be added bureaucracy for companies who are already struggling with the impact of the Covid pandemic and other new rules.
The levy also hits Scots who are travelling for staycations and if they are staying overnight in order to access health treatments or family bereavements.
Other UK cities have already implemented additional visitor fees, including Manchester which charges £1 a night on most paid accommodation establishments across the city.
A £2 per room per night fee has also been brought in across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.