Tourists to be whacked with new tax to visit Scotland’s most popular attractions

TOURISTS in Edinburgh are to be taxed in a bid to raise extra cash for investment into Scotland’s capital city.

Councillors yesterday voted in favour of a transient visitor levy, which would see a charge applied to stays including at hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, and short-term rental properties such as those available on Airbnb.

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A 12-week-long consultation period will be launched in the autumn, with residents set to be asked if they think the proposed 5 per cent charge should be higher or lower – with the Scottish Greens having said the tax should be raised to eight per cent.

It is estimated that the levy, which is planned to be in place ahead of the 2026 Edinburgh festivals, could raise up to £50million a year for the city.

Labour council leader Cammy Day said: “I can’t see a few pounds putting somebody off visiting the city.

“If you can afford to spend hundreds of pounds on a hotel room, you can afford a few pounds to support the city that you are visiting.”

However, Leon Thompson, UKHospitality Scotland executive director, warned councillors against any move to increase the levy beyond what is currently on the table.

He said: “The visitor levy will increase costs for both visitors and businesses in Edinburgh, and that cost must be kept to a reasonable minimum.

“I would urge extreme caution against setting the levy at a level which could tip the balance towards this scheme having a detrimental impact to Edinburgh’s reputation as a leading destination.”

It comes after a Scottish island revealed it was looking into charging motorhome drivers with an extra charge.

Travellers arriving on the idyllic isle – that’s near to the famous NC500 – could be slapped with the extra levy for overnight stays as business chiefs hope to rake in “millions of pounds” from the scheme.

Visitors to the picturesque Isle of Skye could now face the added charge for driving their motorhomes there after locals revealed they will press ahead with the plans.

The island is located near to the NC500 road trip route and is a top destination for tourists visiting the Highlands.

It comes off the back of Scotland’s new ‘tourist tax’ laws which allow accommodation bosses to add a small overnight charge on visitors.

The added motorhome charge scheme would be used to fund improvements in dealing with the influx of tourists on the island.