A gorgeous UK holiday hotspot which sees millions of tourists every year is poised for a new 5 percent tourist tax.
Visitors to the Scottish Highlands could soon be forced to pay a tourist tax on their accommodation, which it’s expected could lead to raising over 10 million a year.
The council believes the money raised each year by the tax could be used to improve tourist infrastructure, including roads, which are under huge pressure.
The famous Loch Ness, Cairngorms National Park, the landscape of Skye and Glenfinnan Viaduct are some of the most popular sights in the area for tourists.
The Isle of Skye has seen a rise in the number of people coming to the island to retire, pricing young people out of the housing market and causing them to leave their hometowns.
In 2019 the Highland tourist numbers reached a peak of seven million visitors.
The Covid pandemic dealt a blow to local tourism, but there have been signs of recovery, with the area welcoming more than six million people in 2022 alone.
Councillors will be asked to approve a 12-week consultation on the plan at a meeting this week. If approved, the charge could come into force in autumn 2026.
MSPs approved a plan in May for councils to add a charge to overnight accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.
However, some businesses have expressed concerns the tax could deter tourists from visiting the Highlands and how fairly the revenue will be distributed.
Nagina Ishaq, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, told the BBC: “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.”
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said Highland Council must “tread carefully” with the introduction of the levy, “if they do this, they must do it right”.
If given the green light, the Highlands would follow Edinburgh to become the second part of the country to introduce the tax.
Edinburgh’s city council’s plan for the ‘Transient Visitor Levy,’ is expected to be introduced in 2026.
This tax, capped at seven consecutive days, is projected to generate up to £50million annually.
The funds would be allocated to enhance the city’s infrastructure and services.
