Tourists visiting the UK may soon be asked to pay local visitor levies as councils consider introducing overnight stay charges to support services strained by over-tourism.
The move follows similar measures in European destinations like Berlin and Barcelona and aims to address the challenges posed by record visitor numbers in popular areas.
Nearly half of Scotland’s local councils, including Highland, Orkney, and the Western Isles, are exploring a tourist tax. Highland council has begun consultations on a 5% overnight stay levy, potentially raising £10 million annually to improve infrastructure and facilities. Edinburgh is set to lead the UK by implementing a mandatory levy in July 2026, projected to generate £50 million per year.
In Wales, the government plans to unveil proposals for a visitor levy to fund tourism and local amenities, focusing on hotspots such as Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff.
Highland council’s economy chair, Ken Gowans, emphasised the need for sustainable tourism, saying, “The wear and tear isn’t caused by locals, but they’re paying for it through council tax. If we have this money, we can maintain and improve services for visitors and residents alike.”
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