Moray SNP back a tourist tax
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SNP councillors in Moray have welcomed the introduction of the Visitor Levy Bill in the Scottish Parliament.
Should it become law, local councils will have the option of charging visitors £1 per night.
It's said that in Moray this could generate upwards of £800k annually.
Moray’s SNP council group state that, rather than damage tourism, a levy would provide extra investment to encourage more of it.
Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet) said: "Visitor levies in Europe and beyond are funding investment that enhance the tourism offer.
"This bill presents a great opportunity to replicate that success in tourist hotspots like Moray where, at present, we generate millions in tax revenue from alcohol taxation but see little benefit from the UK Treasury. This proposal would put power back in our own hands.
"For less than the price of a cup of coffee the cumulative impact of a levy could improve events and facilities for visitors and locals alike.
"We could better support festivals, infrastructure like car parking and campervan facilities, public toilets, investment in walking and cycling routes, signage and advertising and much, much more."
Scott Lawrence (Forres) said: "We have amazing attractions across Moray and hundreds of thousands of visitor nights booked every year. For a small levy, which tourists are well-used to paying across the world, we can future-proof an income stream that will enable additional investment in better facilities.
"There is clear evidence of success of these levies. Manchester recently introduced a levy in the centre of the city, backed by hoteliers, that raises £3million per year.
"Top tourist regions across the world use income like this to reinvest in the tourism economy and increase the attraction to bring more visitors and increase investment and jobs."
