"I won't be visiting again": People divided as Manchester's new tourist tax is introduced
manchestereveningnews.co.ukManchester has become the first city in the UK to introduce a new tourist tax - meaning those hoping to stay overnight in the city will have to pay £1 per room, per night, for their accommodation - but it has left people divided.
The City Visitor Charge was introduced on Saturday (April 1), with the money being used to help boost the tourist economy through the running of large events, conferences, festivals, marketing campaigns and also towards street cleanliness in the city.
The fee will be charged at 74 hotels and short stay serviced apartments within Manchester city centre and parts of Salford and is projected to bring in around £3 million in annual takings to fund a new organisation — the Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) with was set up following a vote from accommodation providers. READ MORE The eye-watering cost of a weekend break in Manchester as compulsory tourist tax introduced The introduction of the tax comes amid 'exciting times' for the city, according to Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council.
There will be almost 6,000 hotel rooms coming to Greater Manchester over the next few years. However there were mixed reactions online, with people taking to Twitter and a Reddit forum to share their views on the new tax, with some even saying they would never return to Manchester.
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