Bill on 'tourist tax' backed by Highland Council approved at Holyrood
MSPs have voted in favour of introducing a tourist tax in Scotland.
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will allow local authorities to add a charge to overnight accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets. All money raised would be reinvested in facilities and services that are substantially used by visitors, benefitting tourists and local economies.
Should they wish to use the powers, councils would be required to consult local communities, businesses and tourism organisations on whether a visitor levy should be brought in and how any revenue should be spent.
Highland Council has backed the idea of the 'tourist tax' previously and calculated it could raise up to £10 million per year through the levy. Highland welcomes over six million visitors a year, including day visitors and cruise passengers.
The levy has been met with mixed responses from those in the hospitality industry.