Highland Council’s Proposed Visitor Levy Estimated to Generate £10 Million Annually

The Highland Council has put forward a proposal for a 5% visitor levy, which the council estimates could generate a minimum of £10 million annually for the local government body. At an upcoming meeting, councillors are scheduled to consider approving a 12-week public consultation period regarding this initiative. Should the proposition advance, an 18-month period for implementation would precede the introduction of the visitor charge in September 2026. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) gave their approval in May to a scheme allowing local councils to impose a fee on overnight lodging, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and holiday rentals. Ken Gowans, who chairs the economy and infrastructure committee, stated that the planned consultation aims to gather public feedback on the initiative and the suggested 5% levy rate. He informed BBC Scotland News that the funds generated could be allocated to enhancing infrastructure. The Highland region possesses the United Kingdom’s most extensive road network, comprising over 4,200 miles (6,759km) of roads, more than 1,000 miles (1,609km) of footpaths, and exceeding 2,200 bridges and culverts. Mr. Gowans mentioned that a portion of the funds might be used for repairing potholes, an issue prevalent on roads throughout the area. He commented: “The levy could raise £10m to £11m per year. It could bring us much more. It just depends.” He added: “Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy could form an essential part of how we sustain, support and develop the services and infrastructure which the sector relies on.” Frazer Coupland, chief executive of the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, described the prospect of generating millions of pounds for community investment as “exciting”. However, he noted that businesses harbored concerns regarding the method of collecting the charge and the equitable distribution of the generated funds. Mr. Coupland informed BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “There is some anxiety around the consultation process.” He continued: “This is a massive geographic area and diverse amount of communities from city to rural and island.” Mr. Coupland indicated that the consultation ought to address whether individuals journeying from rural locations for hospital appointments would incur the visitor charge for their overnight accommodation. As per a report from Highland Council, the majority of patients undertaking travel for medical care are eligible to seek assistance from their NHS board concerning accommodation and to claim associated expenses. Nagina Ishaq, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, expressed worries that the proposed levy might affect the operational expenditures of tourism enterprises. She stated: “The levy must be carefully managed with clear transparency to ensure funds are reinvested directly into tourism infrastructure. “It could generate substantial funds for improving tourism infrastructure and sustainability, which is much needed given the increasing footfall, but we must not put our popularity in jeopardy.” Based on figures from Highland Council, the Highlands attract over six million visitors annually, encompassing day trippers, international tourists, and cruise passengers. Notable attractions include the North Coast 500 tourist route, commencing and concluding in Inverness, as well as Skye’s landscape and the beaches spanning its 3,050 miles (4,905 km) of coastline. Furthermore, the region encompasses portions of the Cairngorms National Park, which is the UK’s largest national park, and features the recently designated Unesco Flow Country World Heritage site in its northern part. Highland, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and other local councils previously endorsed proposals for a tourist tax six years prior. In accordance with the proposals passed by MSPs earlier this: In August 2019, the Highland Council estimated that a levy could yield up to £10 million annually, with the funds being reinvested into enhancing infrastructure like roads, car parks, and public restrooms. During 2019, the number of tourists visiting the Highland region reached a high point of seven million. The Covid pandemic adversely affected tourism; however, recent indications suggest a recovery, with over six million visitors recorded in the area during 2022. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.