Scotland could introduce a levy as visitors put ‘huge strain’ on local services

On January 16, 2024, Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) will weigh in on whether the country should get the power to bring in a tourist tax, a bill introduced in May 2023.

If passed by the Scottish Parliament, local authorities would be given new powers to charge a levy on overnight stays.

This legislation proposes that the new levy would be a percentage of visitors’ accommodation costs.

It would apply to visitors staying in hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation, campsites and caravan sites.

However, wild campers and people in motorhomes and camper vans who pitch elsewhere would not be covered.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) reads: “The Bill aims to allow a visitor levy, a type of fee or tax, to be charged on overnight stays in some types of accommodation.

“This means that a certain amount of money would be paid to the local authority every time someone stayed overnight in accommodation like a hotel, bed and breakfast or holiday cottage (unless it is the place where the person usually lives).

“Each local authority would be able to decide if it wanted to introduce a charge and what the level of the charge should be.”

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer suggested an introduction of a tourist levy could benefit locals.

He said: “Scotland is incredibly fortunate to be such an attractive tourist destination, but this puts a huge strain on local services, ranging from public toilets to bin collections.