Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 21ST MAY 2025    1:48:37 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Visitor Levy Bill Passed By Scottish Parliament And Highland Council Welcomes It

30th May 2024

MSPs have backed legislation giving councils a new power to introduce a visitor levy that would raise funding for local visitor facilities and services.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will enable local authorities to apply a levy on overnight stays with all money raised to be reinvested in services and facilities largely used by tourists and business visitors. Similar levies already apply in tourist destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam and Berlin as well as in countries outside of Europe, such as Canada.

Councils that want to introduce a visitor levy will be able to do so after they have consulted with local communities, businesses and tourism organisations.

An 18-month implementation period will then apply before any local authorities can introduce a visitor levy scheme in their area. This is to provide adequate time for councils and businesses to put in place the systems needed to collect and administer a levy.

An expert group of representatives from the tourism industry, COSLA and other partners will continue to work together to produce guidance for local authorities putting in place a visitor levy scheme.

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said, "We share a vision with the tourism industry for Scotland to be a global leader in tourism and one of the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destinations in the world. A visitor levy can help achieve that vision by empowering councils to raise funding, if they wish to do so, that can be invested in local visitor services and activities.

"This Bill has been a clear example of partnership working between the Scottish Government, local authorities and the tourism industry, in line with the New Deal for Local Government and New Deal for Business.

"We have sought to deliver as much flexibility to local authorities as possible and to listen to businesses to make it as easy as possible for them to adopt these measures."

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA's Resources Spokesperson, said, "I am extremely pleased that the Visitor Levy Bill has now passed through stage 3 in Parliament. With the introduction of these new Visitor Levy powers, councils across Scotland will have the ability to use a discretionary mechanism, that is firmly based on local flexibility.

"The opportunity of these new powers recognise the great diversity of Scotland's communities, acknowledging that a one-size-fits all approach does not work. It will allow councils to respond to the needs and circumstances of both the local communities and our important visitor economies.

"The revenue raised through the introduction of visitor levy powers will be to the mutual benefit of residents, tourists and businesses. There will be opportunities for much-needed additional investment, potentially available across a range of facilities and services, from transport and culture to maintaining and improving our world-famous natural heritage and environment.

“The visitor levy is a crucial step towards greater empowerment for local government, and we will continue to progress joint work with the Scottish Government in ensuring the smooth progression of these powers into the hands of councils across Scotland."

Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill

The earliest a visitor levy could come into force would be spring 2026.

As a result of amendments supported by the Scottish Government at stage 3, the Bill will include:

an exemption from paying a visitor levy for people in receipt of disability benefits from the UK or Scottish Governments
a power for Ministers to cap the number of nights to which a visitor levy would apply, after consultation with councils, tourism businesses and tourism organisations and after Parliamentary approval.

a requirement for any council setting up a visitor levy scheme to establish a visitor levy forum which will discuss and advise the council on matters related to a levy in its area.

a requirement for the Scottish Government to review the Visitor Levy Bill no later than three years after the date of the first scheme coming into effect.

Highland Council welcomes the passing of the Visitor Levy Bill
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “The Highland Council welcomes the passing of the Visitor Levy Bill to Stage 3 through the Scottish Parliament. This enables the Council to begin the roll out of an 18 month implementation period to put in place the systems needed to collect and administer the levy.

"The tourism sector offers vital economic benefit to the Highlands and Islands and the Visitor Levy Bill helps to ensure its sustainability. The earliest a visitor levy could come into force is in 2026 and the revenue generated will enable the Council to deliver much needed strategic investment throughout Highland.

He added: “A strategic priority contained within the Council's Administration Programme 2022-2027 is to work with partners and stakeholders to address service delivery challenges with an inclusive approach to change. In general terms the tourism levy will be not a tax on the Highland people, quite the opposite it is tax for the Highlands paid by others.

“Collaboration around the levy is essential towards developing a well-informed sustainable tourism and infrastructure strategy that aligns with everyone’s aspirations for Highland and that work is underway and can now be streamlined.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

16/5/2025
Council to invest £756million in the Highlands
Highland Councillors have considered £756m investment across Highland communities over the next 5 years when they discussed an updated report on the consolidated Highland Investment Plan (HIP) at a meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 15 May 2025.   Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: "The consolidated programme which was presented to Members is part of a longer-term strategy for the Highland Investment Plan which creates a potential £2.1bn of capital investment over a twenty-year period.  
16/5/2025
Biotoxins affecting Bivalve Shellfish in coastal waters in the East of the Isle of SkyeThumbnail for article : Biotoxins affecting Bivalve Shellfish in coastal waters in the East of the Isle of Skye
Highland Council's Environmental Health team have identified raised levels of naturally occurring bivalve shellfish biotoxins following routine monitoring at Loch Portree.   Eating bivalve shellfish such as cockles, mussels, oysters or razor fish from the area of Loch Portree may pose a health risk arising from the consumption of these biotoxins.  
15/5/2025
Highland Council awards new contract for road repairsThumbnail for article : Highland Council awards new contract for road repairs
After a successful three-week trial of thermal technology in 2024, Highland Council has appointed Thermal Road Repairs for a two-year patching repair contract worth a seven-figure sum.  This will provide an additional resource for repairing surface defects such as potholes, cracking and deteriorating surfacing joints.  
£100bn potential of ‘transformational' projects in the Highlands and IslandsThumbnail for article : £100bn potential of ‘transformational' projects in the Highlands and Islands
The scale of transformational opportunity facing the Highlands and Islands economy has been quantified for the first time in a new report.   The study reports 251 planned development projects in the economic pipeline of what it refers to as regional transformational opportunities (RTOs).  
10/5/2025
Chairs appointed to Poverty and Equality Commission for HighlandThumbnail for article : Chairs appointed to Poverty and Equality Commission for Highland
Maggie Cunningham and Dr.  Jim McCormick have been appointed as co-chairs of a new multi-partnership Poverty and Equality Commission Board.  
2/5/2025
Council online Major Energy Related Planning map is liveThumbnail for article : Council online Major Energy Related Planning map is live
The Highland Council has published its Renewable Energy Mapping Tool.   This tool will enable those with an interest in understanding the location and type of renewable energy projects within Highland to discover not only what already exists on the ground but also the stage that any projects may be at within the planning process.  
Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership unveils ten-year strategy for regional growth
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region's businesses and communities.   A partnership of public, private and academic organisations in the Highlands and Islands has unveiled its ten-year strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth across the region.  
29/4/2025
BT consultation on the removal of 110 payphones in Highland including several in CaithnessThumbnail for article : BT consultation on the removal of 110 payphones in Highland including several in Caithness
BT has launched a consultation on the removal of 110 public payphones in Highland which they state are no longer needed.   Details of the payphones being considered for closure are set out in the list at this link.  
24/4/2025
The Highland Council must focus on delivering its ambitions for the regionThumbnail for article : The Highland Council must focus on delivering its ambitions for the region
An ambitious plan to improve transport, roads and buildings, as well as a greater shift to using digital to deliver services, has the potential to transform the Highland Council's services over the next 20 years.   Delivering its capital programme could prove challenging.  
23/4/2025
"Call" for Development Sites in Highland - deadline approaching
Anyone wishing to gain Council endorsement of a significant building project in Highland should consider responding to the current Call for Development Sites.   Every 10 years, each council in Scotland must, for its area, prepare a planning document called a local development plan.