Tourist tax mooted by Scottish councils
0Scottish local authorities have called on the Scottish Government to allow them to raise revenue through a tourist tax. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) made the plea in a new report on the so-called “transient visitor tax”.
The report says that such taxes are common throughout Europe and could be used to support infrastructure projects as well as services which improve tourist experience.
Councillor Alison Evison, COSLA’s president, said: “The tourism industry should not be alarmed by this move. A transient visitor tax (TVT) will be a tax on visitors and not on businesses.”
Councillor Adam McVey, leader of Edinburgh City Council, said: “Our research demonstrates that not only is a levy unlikely to adversely affect Edinburgh’s hotel trade, but that handled correctly, it could help to secure the ongoing sustainability and health of tourism in the city.”
