Edinburgh to introduce visitor charge in multi-million pound move by council
dailyrecord.co.ukCouncil chiefs in Edinburgh have voted to introduce a charge for visitors in a move expected to raise tens of millions of pounds each year.
The Scots capital will become the first city in the UK to charge a transient visitor levy similar to schemes in European cities such as Amsterdam.The charge will be applied to visitors who come to the city and stay in hotels, B&Bs and properties let out through websites such as Airbnb.
Councillors voted to approve the move at a meeting of the policy and sustainability committee on Thursday.A 12-week consultation period will be launched in the autumn asking residents whether the proposed 5% charge should be higher or lower.
Response to the consultation will inform the final scheme, set to be agreed in January next year.City officials have said the proceeds will be used to pay for improvements across the capital, but critics argue the charge will be bad for businesses.Council leader Cammy Day said: “We can’t take Edinburgh’s incredible cultural offering and reputation as a fantastic place to visit for granted, and a visitor levy presents an innovative way of sustaining the sector and the city.“It will significantly increase our ability to invest in the visitor experience and the tourism pressures we face, from keeping the city clean to responding to our housing emergency, so that everyone can continue to enjoy all that the city has to offer.“By better supporting these services we can secure Edinburgh’s future as a top global destination.“These proposals have been shaped by the views of residents, visitors and industry.
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